The Real Madrid coach reached out to the Cape Verdean star following his success at the FIFA World Cup

Cape Verdean breakout star Sidny Lopez Cabral has revealed that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho personally approached him during the FIFA World Cup and offered words of encouragement as the midfielder enjoyed the biggest tournament of his career.

Sidny, who lit up the Round of 32 tie against Argentina with a sensational curling goal, said Mourinho had sent him a message after Cape Verde’s impressive performances against Spain and Uruguay, urging him to keep believing in himself.

“Mourinho sent me a message after Spain and Uruguay: ‘Well done! Keep going, believe in yourself’,” revealed Sidny after Cape Verde’s memorable World Cup campaign.

The news gained attention after Sidny emerged as one of the surprise performers of the tournament. Cape Verde, the smallest country ever to reach the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, pushed defending champions Argentina to the limit before eventually losing 3-2 after extra time in one of the competition’s most dramatic matches.

Sidney’s stunning strike against Argentina is among the standout goals of the tournament. The Cape Verdean midfielder took advantage of the space down Argentina’s right wing and curled an excellent effort past the keeper to equalize and expose one of the few weaknesses in Lionel Scaloni’s side.

While the goal grabbed the headlines, Sidny suggested Mourinho’s belief in him had been building long before that moment.

The 23-year-old has previously worked under Mourinho and spoke glowingly of the Portuguese coach’s honesty, saying it was one of the qualities he most admired.

“He’s the one who tells you you played shit. He tells you you played great. I think he’s the most honest person I’ve ever met,” Sidny said.

“I believe that if I worked with him longer, I could reach my highest level.

Mourinho’s message comes as Sidney’s stock has risen considerably following his performances on football’s biggest stage. Cape Verde may have exited the tournament, but the midfielder’s exploits against some of the world’s strongest teams have made him one of the breakout names of the World Cup.

The player who operates as a left back in Cape Verde is ambi-floral in nature and can double up as a right back or a right midfielder. This should interest Real Madrid, who are hunting both positions before the new season.

Against Argentina, Sidny was one of the few players to consistently trouble the defending champions. His direct running and willingness to attack caused problems throughout the game, while his excellent finishing ensured Argentina were forced into extra time before eventually winning 3-2.

Argentina eventually progressed to the round of 16, with Lionel Messi once again proving decisive, but Cape Verde left the tournament with much fanfare after taking one of the favorites to the brink.

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Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

04 Jul 2026 15:18 IST