Roberto Lopes thought LinkedIn message was spam before Cape Verde call-up | OneFootball

Roberto Lopes, 33, started in Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Spain on Monday, yet he nearly missed out on representing the archipelago after initially ignoring a LinkedIn message from the national team.

Born in Dublin to an Irish mother and a Cape Verdean father, the Shamrock Rovers centre-back has always lived in Ireland and has one Ireland U19 cap. In 2018, then coach Rui Aguas contacted him on LinkedIn to join up.

Because he did not speak Portuguese, Lopes overlooked the approach. Nine months later Aguas tried again, and this time he paid attention. “I thought it was spam. I should have used Google Translate much earlier. Thankfully the chance came round again. Since then I have been on an extraordinary adventure,” he said on FIFA’s website.

Now on 46 caps, the defender has been learning Cape Verdean Creole and embracing his roots. “After my call-up, I threw myself into that heritage. Now I never stop talking about it. For my father it is wonderful. He is very proud that people know where he is from.”

“People talk about it a lot on the islands too. My grandfather is still there working his farm. I have met many of my cousins, and it is very touching. Every time I go back I feel even more Cape Verdean.”

Source: L'Équipe