Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes: Cape Verde’s 36-year-old captain Ryan Mendes, who historically took his team to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026, is embroiled in a serious legal dispute. According to media reports, a police investigation is underway against him on charges of sexually assaulting and raping a Brazilian woman in a hotel in Auckland, New Zealand. This alleged incident took place when the Cape Verde team was on the Oceania tour to play two friendly matches.
Brazilian woman’s shocking revelation
According to reports, the victim was working as an interpreter for the Cape Verde team on behalf of the New Zealand Football Federation. This incident took place on March 27, the day Cape Verde had to face a 4-2 defeat in a friendly match against Chile. The victim told the local police that she was called to a team room in the hotel on the pretext of a meeting. He thought he had to do translation work there, but on reaching there he saw that a party was going on. Due to not feeling well, she soon returned to her room.
The woman alleges that after some time the door of her room was knocked, where Ryan Mendes was standing outside. It is alleged that Mendes forcibly entered the room and raped her. When she tried to protect herself and run away, the football player strangled her, punched her and bit her. Immediately after the incident, the woman took photographs of her injuries, which showed cut marks on her lip and deep bruises on her neck and legs.
Did not get help from federation
The victim also shared that she had contacted the Cape Verde Football Federation regarding this tragic incident, but she did not receive any help or support from there. At the same time, on this matter, New Zealand Football Federation says that the matter is with the police, hence only the police can make appropriate comment on it. At the same time, New Zealand Police is continuously investigating this matter since April 10.
cape verde match against argentina
This is Cape Verde’s first World Cup and a small country with a population of just over 5 lakh has qualified for the knockout stage for the first time. Cape Verde is the smallest country in the world to qualify for the knockout stage in the history of the Football World Cup. Now the Cape Verde team will face another big challenge in the great match of the Round of 32. In this match he will face the current world champion Argentina. This match will be played on July 3 on Miami grounds. But just before the match, this serious allegation against the captain and the ongoing police investigation has increased the team’s difficulties and tension considerably.
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