ALBAWABA - Ryan Mendes, the captain of the Cape Verdean football team, is being investigated after accusations of raping the team's translator during the FIFA week last March.
While preparing for the 2026 World Cup, the Cape Verdean team reached the second round for the first time in its history after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia on Friday.
Cape Verde qualified for the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026, where they will face Argentina in the round of 32, after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia. They advanced as runners-up to Spain, three points behind the Spanish national team.
Following Cape Verde's qualification, the renowned Brazilian website "Globo" revealed that their captain, Ryan Mendes, 36, is under investigation for allegedly raping a Brazilian woman who worked as a translator for the team during their time in New Zealand in March of this year.
Globo shared photos of the bruises the woman allegedly sustained during the assault by Mendes, along with medical reports from a clinic specializing in survivors of sexual violence, which confirmed she had suffered multiple bruises.
She also filed a police report that same day. The incident took place at the hotel where the Cape Verde national team was staying for friendlies in Oceania, and the captain has been under investigation since April 10.
According to the Brazilian website, New Zealand police have collected footage from the hotel's security cameras and are awaiting the results of the physical examinations the translator underwent before formally charging the African national team captain.
