Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes is under police investigation in New Zealand following allegations that he raped a Brazilian translator hired by the national team during a trip to the country in March.
According to Brazil’s Globo, the 36-year-old, who has featured in all three of Cape Verde’s matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman after entering her hotel room.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, alleged that she reported the incident to at least three officials of the Cape Verde football authorities but received no response.
New Zealand police have launched an investigation into the allegations.
Authorities have reportedly obtained security camera footage from the Auckland hotel where the alleged incident occurred and are awaiting forensic examination results before deciding whether to file charges against Mendes.
The alleged assault was first reported by New Zealand media last month, although the player involved was not identified at the time.
The reports only stated that the suspect was a member of Cape Verde’s national team.
In a statement to police, the woman said she had been employed by the Cape Verde team as a translator during the FIFA Series in New Zealand.
“I was hired by Cape Verde’s soccer team for their games in the FIFA Series in New Zealand, and after the first match against Chile, I was invited to a meeting in one of the hotel rooms reserved for the national side.”
She added: “But when I realised that I wasn’t needed to translate and that this was a social gathering, I returned to my room and, shortly after, heard knocking on the door.”
According to her statement to New Zealand police, Mendes allegedly forced his way into the room before throttling, punching and biting her, and then raping her.
The woman also submitted photographs showing injuries to her mouth, neck, leg and side as part of the police investigation.
Mendes has not publicly responded to the allegations.
The case comes as Cape Verde continue their historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, having become the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament’s knockout stage.
Football governing body FIFA said it is in contact with New Zealand authorities and takes allegations of misconduct “extremely seriously.”
However, the organisation said it could not comment further on the allegations or confirm whether any investigations are ongoing.
