Could Pico Lopes be the most successful Irish born player of our generation at International level?

[u/Practical-Goal-8845]

Pico has played at least 37 times for Cape Verde, most of them full 90 minute appearances where he is responsible for marshalling their defence.

They qualified for the 2023 AFCON where with him in the team they topped a group that included Egypt and Ghana. They made it to the Quarter finals where they only lost on peno's to South Africa.

This was after an appearance at the 2021 AFCON (delayed 'til 2022) where they also escaped the groups, going out to Sadio Mané's Senegal in the Round of 16.

Right now they are topping their group and on course for direct qualification for the World Cup. If they can beat Cameroon, or even hold them to a draw in their upcoming fixture at home on Tuesday he will be odds on to make it to his third international competition.

Hope I dont put the jinx on them now, but even if they dont make it in the end it has to be said it's some run for the chap. Worthy of more recognition than it gets.

We've had some class internationals in the league before, Joey Ndo stands out in particular as one of the best... but have we ever had one with so much international success, particularly while playing a key role for their team?

If Ireland also fail to qualify and Cape Verde do then he will go down as hands down the most successful International from Ireland in the past couple of generations IMO

[u/symo420]

He’s a long time ah to go to catch up to bray legend Wesley Charles

[u/Practical-Goal-8845 → u/symo420]

94 caps & 4 goals, definitely worthy of a shout! Bit of a legend around the Porterhouse back bar back in the day too I believe.

[u/Marcus_Suridius → u/symo420]

I didn't know about him, was checking his wiki and he went on loan from Bray to Rostov of all places then back here.

[u/symo420 → u/Marcus_Suridius]

Him playing every game for whitecaps for one season in the MLS blows my mind really.

[u/Greendodger93 → u/symo420]

Can't believe I didn't know this!!! Former Bray Wanderers season ticket holder and now a Whitecaps season ticket holder.

Proper Bray legend, I see he was released by the Caps for trying to punch a teammate lol

[u/casekeenum7 → u/symo420]

That was before they were in the MLS - he won the USL first division with them. Was also born in St Vincent and only came to Ireland in his mid 20s haha

[u/gufcfan → u/symo420]

Absolutely never played in the MLS.

Ended on a sour note, was released after on field altercations with teammates.

[u/TheHolyGoalie]

Every time I’ve watched him play for them he looks to fit their system really well and never looks out of place.

[u/Lyonsey11 → u/TheHolyGoalie]

How many times have you watch Cape Verde play?

[u/TheHolyGoalie → u/Lyonsey11]

Every afcon game they’ve played since Pico first got called up, not sure how many exactly.

[u/Lyonsey11 → u/TheHolyGoalie]

Fair play!

[u/Grand_Bit4912 → u/Lyonsey11]

I’m going to the African Nations Cup in Morocco in December/January. I’ll let you know how he gets on!

[u/FatLad_98 → u/Grand_Bit4912]

Cape Verde didn't qualify for the next one

[u/Practical-Goal-8845]

Goals from tonight's 2 nil win here. First one a clanger. It seems Pico has learned the national anthem by heart anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ_qHCNWi98

[u/DonerMeatOnChips → u/Practical-Goal-8845]

Crikey, someone ordered their AI Commentary on Temu.

Full game is up on Fifa+ if anyone wants to watch the replay

[u/Practical-Goal-8845 → u/DonerMeatOnChips]

The voiceover is AI dubbing alright, it's awful,, but you can switch back to the natural Portuguese from the broadcast in settings.

[u/DonerMeatOnChips → u/Practical-Goal-8845]

Aaaah that helps

[u/giggsy664 → u/Practical-Goal-8845]

He's picked up a lot of Portugeuse and Creole since he got called up. He did an interview in Portugeuse after the Santa Clara away game afaik

[u/giggsy664]

Cape Verde are the greatest hope Ireland have of getting to the world cup next summer.

[u/Feariontach1798]

I thought the discussion was about Irish born internationals initially.

[u/FabioMane19 → u/Feariontach1798]

He is an Irish born international.

[u/Feariontach1798 → u/FabioMane19]

Wesley Charles? Who most comments are about. I think you’ll find he’s not 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

[u/MakabeKelly]

He'd have even more caps if he had just used Google Translate on that email initially.

[u/Various_Eggplant6554]

Bohs legend!!!