Who are Cape Verde's players? From Premier League flop to Instagram sensation | OneFootball

New faces have emerged from this World Cup’s surprise package

Cape Verde’s historic World Cup journey continues tonight with a showdown against the reigning champions Argentina tonight for a place in the last-16.

Taking part in a World Cup for the very first time, Pedro Leitao Brito’s - commonly known as Bubista - side booked their place in the knockout stages finishing as runners-up to Spain and coming through a group that also included Saudi Arabia and Uruguay without losing.

After holding Spain to a shock goalless draw in their opening group game to earn a first-ever World Cup point, Cape Verde drew 2-2 with Uruguay, before another goalless draw with Saudi Arabia was enough for progression.

Cape Verde’s squad is made up of some former Premier League players, including captain Ryan Mendes, who is his nation’s all-time top scorer and appearance-maker with 22 goals and 101 caps respectively.

With a new-found interest in the World Cup debutants, Standard Sport ran the rule over which players to look out for in the Cape Verde squad…

Vozinha

Cape Verde’s first-choice goalkeeper who has played every minute of the World Cup journey so far. After keeping a clean sheet against Spain, the 40-year-old became a social media sensation, going from 50,000 Instagram followers to 17.4million.

Vozinha

Getty

Stopira

Cape Verde’s oldest outfield player (38) at the World Cup, though is yet to make an appearance.

Diney Borges

The rock at the back who will be tasked with stopping Lionel Messi and co.

Pico Lopes

Born in Ireland but representing Cape Verde after realising his mistake about ignoring a LinkedIn message asking if he would to declare for the national team.

Logan Costa

Currently at Villarreal, but has been an unused substitute in all three games so far.

Kevin Pina

Will go down in history for scoring Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup goal.

History maker: Kevin Pina

Getty

Jovane Cabral

Big things were expected from Cabral after making the loan switch from Sporting CP to Lazio in the 2021-22 season, but made just four appearances and is back in Portugal with Estrela.

Garry Rodrigues

Standing at 6ft6, the mountain of a winger came through the Feyenoord youth system but has made a home for himself in Turkey having played for both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.

Sidny Lopes Cabral

Full-back who was playing under Jose Mourinho as recently as May. Has recently sealed a €10million (£8.5million) move to Trabzonspor.

Ryan Mendes

Far and away Cape Verde's standout player. Had a loan spell with Nottingham Forest during the 2015-16 season, scoring two goals in 32 appearances.

Nuno da Costa

Spent two years on Nottingham Forest's books, though only made 12 Championship appearances during that time.

Nuno da Costa

Getty

Steven Moreira

Veteran defender who spent the majority of his career in France before moving to the USA in 2021, joining Columbus Crew.