Cabo Verde Camp Rocked By R*pe Accusations On Captain Ryan Mendes Amid Historic World Cup Campaign
Cabo Verde is the smallest country in the world to advance to the knockout stage of the FIFA men’s World Cup history.
Ryan Mendes (Image via NZ Herald)
Cabo Verde, located just off the west coast of Africa, is home to about 530,000 people, similar to Wyoming. It was indeed a dream come true for the people of the archipelagic nation to advance to football’s biggest stage. And the dream has transpired so beautifully with a run that has found its own page in the history books.
The Cabo Verdeans held the former champions and the defending European champions to a goalless draw to start their campaign. Their magical run continued with two draws against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, finishing the group in second place and earning a historic progression to the knockout stages. However, the latest update from the Cabo Verde camp has thrown a shadow of dishonor on their dominant momentum.
A few days ahead of their knockout clash against the defending champions, Argentina, Cabo Verde’s captain Ryan Mendes has landed in hot water after a FIFA-mandated team support worker launched r*pe allegations. The Brazilian woman, who remains unnamed, was hired as a translator for the team during their FIFA Series held in New Zealand in March.
Reportedly, Mendes forced his way into the woman’s room after a 4-2 loss to Chile. The incident was reported to at least three Cabo Verde officials the very next day. However, it is reported that they paid little attention to the incident.
The New Zealand Police have taken up the case. According to the woman’s statement to the New Zealand police, the 36-year-old allegedly throttled, punched, and bit her before r*ping her. The translator has shared pictures of the injuries to her mouth, neck, legs, and sides with the police.
Investigations are underway, with the camera feed being collected from the Auckland hotel. Mendes may be charged if the forensic investigations prove him guilty. The New Zealand Herald broke the news of the incident last month; however, the player’s name remained unknown at the time.
FIFA has since issued a statement addressing the complaint against Mendes. They hadn’t made any statements when the New Zealand Herald story came out. They said in a statement:
We treat any complaint of inappropriate conduct with the utmost seriousness. We are in contact with the authorities in New Zealand.
Cabo Verde goes against mighty Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32
The Cabo Verde national team has become one of the unpredicted dark horses of the tournament after they held Spain’s lustrous roster to a goalless draw. They are the smallest country to make the knockout stages of the FIFA men’s World Cup.

They are drawn against one of the strongest sides in this World Cup. Argentina finished their group as winners with no difficulty, defeating the likes of Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Lionel Messi contributed six goals in three games, including a hat-trick to open the campaign with a 3-0 win.
They were about to join an elite list of teams to win all three games of the group stage and keep a clean sheet in all three of them before Musa Al-Taamari spoiled their party in the last game.
The Cabo Verdeans have played a highly potent defense and allowed just two goals in the group stage. They are also projected to win by Billy the Psychic Cat as well as the Ghanaian populist Nana Kwaku Bonsam.
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Mohammed Bazim
(1334 Articles Published)