Lopes LinkedIn tale adds another chapter to Cape Verde’s fairytale

Born in Ireland to Cape Verde parents, Lopes was called up to the national team by coach Bubista Brito, a few years ago via LinkedIn, but he didn’t respond to the initial inbox that was written in Portuguese. A year later, Brito reached out again, this time in English, and the response was positive. 

Lopes recalls this crazy story...

"It is a crazy story and I never thought it would be the route to international football, but it just goes to show that it can happen. When I received the message and the call up, did I think we would reach a World Cup? Probably not, but as I grew into the team and got to know everybody in the squad I knew we were capable of doing great things."

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Making their first appearance at a World Cup, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde are defying all the odds, having drawn against 2010 world champions Spain in the opening game and contained a top South American team in Uruguay in the second game. 

Cape Verde came back from behind to draw the game 2-2, and it’s their never say die spirit and attitude that’s winning them a lot of hearts in this tournament. 

Saudi Arabia in the final group game will be enough for Cape Verde to seal second spot and qualify for the World Cup knockout phase in their first attempt, but Lopes says it’s important that they go into this game with full focus without looking ahead of themselves.