Cape Verde player profile
Roberto “Pico” Lopes
Born and raised in Dublin to a family of Cape Verdean heritage, Roberto “Pico” Lopes is the perfect illustration of how the diaspora built this national team. FIFA lists him among the key members of Cape Verde’s first World Cup squad.
- Position
- Defender
- Born
- Dublin, Ireland
- Cape Verde link
- Cape Verdean heritage
- Squad status
- Current squad
Centre-back and the clearest example of the diaspora backbone
Born and raised in Dublin to a family of Cape Verdean heritage, Roberto “Pico” Lopes is the perfect illustration of how the diaspora built this national team. FIFA lists him among the key members of Cape Verde’s first World Cup squad.
Roberto “Pico” Lopes is part of the diaspora generation that made Cape Verde competitive far beyond its small population. To understand how a nation of around half a million people built a World Cup squad, see our guide to the Cape Verdean football diaspora.
For the wider picture — the coach, the qualifying run and the World Cup itself — start with the Cape Verde national team overview and the 2026 World Cup story.
Explore Roberto’s Cape Verde
The players are the reason many people first hear of Cape Verde. Here is the country behind them.
More Cape Verde football
Last reviewed: July 2026. Travel rules and football data change — always confirm time-sensitive details before you rely on them.