Mourinho's message gives Cabo Verde's breakout hero a lasting World Cup story despite Argentina heartbreak

Jose Mourinho's message to Sidny Lopes Cabral added a special touch to Cape Verde's brave World Cup exit after they pushed Argentina hard.

Updated on: Jul 4, 2026, 16:36:51 IST

Written by Probuddha Bhattacharjee

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Cabo Verde may have exited the FIFA World Cup, but their dream campaign has already created one of the tournament’s most unexpected breakout stories, with Sidny Lopes Cabral revealing that Jose Mourinho personally reached out to him during the island nation’s remarkable run.

Sidny Lopes Cabral celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 match. (AFP)

The 23-year-old Cabo Verde star said Mourinho sent him a message after Cabo Verde’s performances against Spain and Uruguay, urging him to keep believing in himself. “Mourinho sent me a message after Spain and Uruguay: ‘Bravo! Keep going, believe in yourself,’” Sidny said after Cabo Verde’s campaign ended in heartbreak against defending champions Argentina.

Sidny Lopes Cabral wins admiration despite Cabo Verde heartbreak

Cabo Verde pushed Argentina to the limit in a dramatic Round of 32 clash, twice coming from behind before eventually losing 3-2 after extra time. Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina, but Cabo Verde refused to fade away. Deroy Duarte brought them level in the second half before Sidny produced one of the standout moments of the match with a brilliant curling strike that again dragged the underdogs back into the contest.

Argentina eventually survived through a late own goal after a Messi corner, but the result did little to reduce admiration for Cabo Verde. The tournament debutants had already made history by reaching the knockout stage, becoming one of the most loved stories of the World Cup.

Sidny’s performance against Argentina only added to his rising reputation. His direct running, confidence on the ball and ability to trouble a side of Argentina’s quality turned him into one of the surprise names of the tournament. His goal was not merely a consolation moment; it briefly made Cabo Verde believe that one of the greatest World Cup shocks was still possible.

Also Read: Minnows with a mighty heart: How Cabo Verde, a nation with a population of 5,00,000, made Messi’s Argentina sweat

The Mourinho connection has now added another layer to his story. Sidny has previously worked under the Portuguese coach and spoke highly of his honesty, calling him one of the most direct figures he has encountered in football.

“He’s the one who tells you that you played shit. He’s the one who tells you that you played great. I think he’s the most honest person I ever met,” Sidny said. “I believe that if I worked longer with him I could reach my top level.”

For Cabo Verde, the defeat to Argentina was cruel. For Sidny, however, the tournament may prove career-changing. From a historic national campaign to praise from Mourinho and a goal against the world champions, his World Cup ended with heartbreak but also with the feeling that a much bigger stage may now be waiting.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Probuddha Bhattacharjee
Probuddha Bhattacharjee is a sports writer and analyst with expertise spanning cricket, football, and multi-sport events, with a strong emphasis on data-driven journalism and tactical storytelling. He currently focuses on international cricket, the Indian Premier League, global tournaments, and emerging trends shaping modern sport, blending advanced statistics with strong narrative context to explain performance, strategy, and decision-making. His work aims to bridge the gap between numbers and storytelling, helping readers understand not just what happened on the field, but the tactical and structural reasons behind it. Trained in data journalism through the Google News Initiative (GNI) Data Journalism Lab, Probuddha works extensively with ball-by-ball datasets, performance metrics, and trend-based modelling to produce evidence-backed reports, explainers, and long-form features. His analytical approach focuses not only on outcomes but also on process—selection strategies, phase-wise tactics, workload management, and the influence of preparation and planning on match results. He is particularly interested in how statistical patterns reshape conventional cricketing narratives and provide clearer tactical insight for modern audiences. Beyond cricket, Probuddha has written analytical and news-driven pieces on football and other major sporting events, with a growing interest in sports governance, scheduling dynamics, and the economics of elite competitions. He also tracks how rule changes, franchise structures, and broadcast pressures influence the evolution of contemporary sport. He has previously contributed to platforms such as OneCricket, Sportskeeda, and CrickTracker, and continues to specialise in analytical storytelling, live coverage, and audience-focused reporting. His work prioritises clarity, context, and credibility, while consistently exploring innovative ways to present data through accessible narratives and structured match analysis.Read More

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