The Dubliner was at the heart of a Cape Verde team that suffered a heartbreaking extra-time defeat to reigning champions Argentina in Miami on Friday
Roberto Lopes after Cape Verde’s loss to Argentina(Image: ©INPHO/Luciano Bisbal)
Pico Lopes was nearly brought to tears as he reflected on being part of one of the great World Cup stories of recent decades.
The Dubliner was at the heart of a Cape Verde team that suffered a heartbreaking extra-time defeat to reigning champions Argentina in Miami on Friday.
But for the Shamrock Rovers defender, the disappointment of coming so close to one of the great World Cup upsets was mixed with immense personal pride.
When it was put to the Crumlin native that, ten years ago, he was a part-time footballer and a trainee mortgage adviser, Lopes was nearly overcome with emotion.
He said: “I try to stay in the moment as much as I can. There will be a time for me to reflect but it’s been amazing.
“My ambition, my dream, was just to work hard every day and try to get better. Try to get that little bit better.
“And the fact of where I was 10 years ago to where I am now, there’s a little bit of pride there as well.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Lopes’ incredible back story, from being approached to play for Cape Verde through LinkedIn to helping his father’s country qualify for the World Cup for the first time, has made global headlines this summer.
But the Dubliner had done all his talking on the pitch, helping the African nation go unbeaten in their group before pushing Lionel Messi and Argentina all the way in a last 32 tie.
And Lopes hopes the team’s story will inspire other small nations to follow their dreams in the years to come.
Pico Lopes celebrates the draw against Spain(Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
“We said coming into this tournament that we wanted to make history. That we deserved to be here. And I think overall we showed that we are more than capable of competing with some of the best teams in the world.
“We showed it is possible for small nations with big hearts. If you put the hard work in and believe, you can be here.
“We’ve created history by competing at our first World Cup, and to get out of the group is an amazing achievement.
“Hopefully we have shown the way for future generations. This is important now. You get a taste for it and you want to be at every World Cup. Hopefully in four years’ time we will have a Cape Verde team here.”