Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes is being investigated in New Zealand after a team translator accused him of rape. The inquiry, including forensic analysis, will determine whether Mendes faces charges. The case casts a shadow over a World Cup run that already ma
When Cape Verde’s captain Ryan Mendes stepped into his team’s story in this World Cup. it was as a leader in a tournament run that turned heads. Now the forward is under investigation in New Zealand over allegations of rape—an accusation detailed by a Brazilian translator who worked with the squad and whose account has set a tense legal process in motion.
The investigation follows a claim that Mendes sexually assaulted a woman who served as a translator during the FIFA Series played in New Zealand in March. Mendes—who played all three of Cape Verde’s matches—has been accused of entering the translator’s hotel room in Auckland and physically and sexually assaulting her. according to coverage that cites New Zealand police.
A decision on whether Mendes will be charged will not be made until the investigation. including forensic analysis. is completed. the report said. The account also draws on discussions involving New Zealand police. the translator’s legal representation. and multiple conversations with the Cape Verde soccer federation.
FIFA says it is taking the allegations seriously. In a statement, FIFA said it takes “any allegation of misconduct” seriously and was in contact with New Zealand authorities. “Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage,” FIFA said. Cape Verde’s team did not respond to a request for comment from a U.S. news outlet.
The translator—described as a Brazilian woman—told authorities she reported the attack and underwent a sexual assault examination. The examination found lesions on her vagina. as well as multiple bruises on her breasts. neck. and lips. the report said. The woman provided police—and later the outlet—with photos of her injuries.
Her account also describes reporting the assault to three different Cape Verde soccer officials, with none of them responding, according to the report.
Cape Verde’s World Cup journey has been one of the tournament’s feel-good stories. The tiny island nation reached the round of 32 by holding Spain and Uruguay to draws. It was also the first World Cup debutants to make the knockout rounds since Slovakia in 2010. and the first since Senegal in 2002 to go unbeaten in the group stage. Mendes has been central to that run, playing all but 19 minutes of Cape Verde’s first three games.
Still, the legal timeline now sits over the sporting one. Mendes plays for the Turkish club Igdir and, after the accusations emerged, the investigation’s completion—not the next match—will determine whether he faces charges.
The Blue Sharks are scheduled to play Argentina on Friday, July 3, in Miami. But as the New Zealand inquiry moves forward. the question hanging over Cape Verde’s momentum is stark: whether a World Cup moment that brought history will now be accompanied by criminal accountability—or an outcome that changes nothing about the scrutiny the allegations have already brought.
Ryan Mendes Cape Verde World Cup Argentina Miami New Zealand police rape allegations FIFA Series forensic analysis translator
So wait he played all the matches and now this? Wild.
Not even shocked sports has this stuff come out. If they’re doing forensics then it’s probably serious. FIFA always says “taking it seriously” like that means anything.
I don’t get it. The translator went to her hotel, right? But why is the captain the one? Like maybe he was just checking on something for the team?? Idk I’m not saying it’s fake just seems weird how it all works.
These headlines always say investigation and then everyone jumps to “guilty” or “innocent.” The report says lesions and bruises and I’m just like… that’s not nothing. Also he was in Auckland, so how could this even not come up sooner while they were there? If FIFA knew anything they should say something instead of the lawyer talk.