Roberto Lopes' Journey to Cape Verde Squad Began with Ignored LinkedIn Message
Published June 15, 2026
Irish-born defender Roberto Lopes nearly missed his chance to represent Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after initially dismissing a recruitment message on LinkedIn as spam.
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In an unusual twist for international football recruitment, Cape Verdean defender Roberto Lopes's path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad began with a LinkedIn message he initially ignored. The Irish-born centre-back, a formidable presence on the field, confessed to overlooking the initial outreach from the Cape Verdean football association, mistaking the Portuguese-language communication for unsolicited spam.
Lopes's oversight almost cost him a significant international opportunity. It was only after a follow-up message, this time in English, arrived several months later that he realized the gravity of the initial contact. He then took the step of translating the original proposal, confirming that he was indeed being offered a chance to declare for the Cape Verde national team and potentially compete on the global stage.
The unconventional method of contact was reportedly due to difficulties the federation faced in reaching Lopes through his club. Despite the initial confusion, once the reality of the offer became clear, Lopes embraced the prospect wholeheartedly. His commitment to representing Cape Verde was immediate, leading to the necessary processes to secure his eligibility for a place in the squad heading to the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.