New Zealand Police are investigating Cape Verde national football team captain Ryan Mendes over allegations of assault and rape involving a Brazilian interpreter in Auckland.
The incident reportedly occurred on March 27, 2026, at the team hotel during the FIFA Series tournament after Cape Verde played against Chile.
The woman, hired by FIFA as an operational worker because Portuguese is Cape Verde's official language, filed a formal complaint with Auckland police on April 10.
According to reports from the New Zealand Herald and O Globo, the complainant stated that Mendes forced his way into her hotel room.
A subsequent medical examination documented multiple physical injuries, including bruising on her neck, lips, and breasts, alongside genital trauma.
In May, the interpreter and her husband formally requested FIFA and the Cape Verdean Football Federation to exclude the 36-year-old Igdir FK forward from the World Cup squad.
Both organizations remained silent, and Mendes subsequently started all three group stage matches as Cape Verde qualified for the knockout rounds.
Coach Avoids Questions
During a press conference ahead of Friday's knockout match against Argentina in Miami, head coach Bubista refused to answer multiple questions regarding the ongoing investigation.
The tournament moderator had explicitly requested journalists not to ask about the legal situation.
"Our main goal is to play a good match and try to advance to the next round," said Bubista.
The manager expressed confidence in his team's performance following undefeated group stage matches against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.
"We know the quality of our opponent, but we hold on to our dream and we will continue to chase it," said Bubista.
The coach also noted that the technical staff has not prepared a specific strategy to mark Argentina's Lionel Messi, choosing instead to focus on the collective opponent.
"We have faith and confidence and will play with courage," said Bubista.
The New Zealand Police confirmed that the investigation into the Auckland Central complaint remains open but declined to provide further details.
The New Zealand Football Association, which hosted the March event, also declined to comment substantively, directing all inquiries to law enforcement.
