Cape Verde World Cup Captain Faces Rape Allegations Ahead of Argentina Match

Cape Verde stunned the world by advancing to the knockout stage of their first-ever World Cup after securing draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. However, just before their round of 32 match against Argentina, their captain Ryan Mendes has come under investigation for rape. A Brazilian woman reported to New Zealand police that Mendes assaulted her in a hotel in Auckland about three months ago. She provided the Brazilian newspaper Globo with photos showing bruises on her body. According to her testimony, on March 27, while she was an intern at the same hotel where the Cape Verde team stayed for friendlies against Chile and Finland, Mendes entered her room, choked, punched, and bit her as she tried to defend herself before raping her.

Last month, the woman and her husband sent legal warnings to the Cape Verde Football Federation and FIFA, demanding Mendes be barred from the World Cup. Both organizations have not responded. Additionally, a Cape Verde federation official reportedly told the victim via WhatsApp that the matter was "a personal problem of Ryan's." Mendes, 36, is Cape Verde's all-time leader in appearances (101) and goals (22) and has captained the team at the World Cup. His club career includes stints in France, England, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, most recently playing in Turkey's second division for Igdir.