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Ryan Isaac Mendes da Graça (born 8 January 1990) is a Cape Verdean professional footballer who plays as a winger for TFF 1. Lig club Iğdır and the Cape Verde national team.

Key Information

He spent most of his club career in France with Le Havre and Lille, and in the UAE Pro League with Sharjah and Al-Nasr. He also had brief spells in England's Championship with Nottingham Forest, and the Turkish Süper Lig with Kayserispor and Fatih Karagümrük.

Mendes made his senior international debut for Cape Verde in 2010, earning over 90 caps. He represented the nation at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, 2015, 2021 and 2023.

He is Cape Verde’s most capped player and top goalscorer.

Club career

[edit]

Le Havre

[edit]

Born in Mindelo, São Vicente, Mendes began his career with hometown club Batuque FC. In 2008 he was sold to Le Havre AC,[2] with whom he played his first game in Ligue 1 on 13 May 2009 against AS Saint-Étienne, as a late substitute for Maxime Baca in a 4–2 home loss.[3][4] He was monitored by Leicester City scout Steve Walsh, who instead signed teammate Riyad Mahrez to the club.[5]

In the 2011–12 Ligue 2, Mendes was joint third top scorer with 13 goals.[6]

Lille

[edit]

On 1 September 2012, Mendes returned to Ligue 1 on a four-year deal at Lille. He joined for a €3 million fee – the club was in a good financial place after the sale of Eden Hazard to Chelsea – and his monthly salary rose from €7,000 to €120,000.[7] He missed the second half of his first season after having surgery on a right ankle tendon and remained on the sidelines until December 2013. He told the league's website that he was not going to retire despite the injuries.[8]

Mendes's opportunities at Lille were reduced after the dismissal of manager Rudi Garcia in 2013.[9] On 4 September 2015, Mendes joined English side Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan.[10] He scored his first goal for the club twenty days later, opening a 1–1 draw with Huddersfield Town.[11]

Later career

[edit]

On 31 January 2017, Mendes signed for Kayserispor – ranked 17th in Turkey's Süper Lig – until the summer of 2020.[12] In July 2018, he terminated his deal and moved to Sharjah FC of the UAE Pro League on a three-year deal.[13] He won the league in his first season.[9][14]

Remaining in the United Arab Emirates, Mendes moved to Al-Nasr SC in Dubai on a two-year contract in July 2020.[15] On 10 August 2023, he went back to Turkey's top division and signed a two-year contract with Fatih Karagümrük.[16]

International career

[edit]

Mendes was a member of the Cape Verde under-21 national team[17] and played formerly with the under-16s an international tournament in Gonfreville-L'Orcher.

He made his debut for the senior team on 11 August 2010, as a 58th-minute substitute for Babanco in a 1–0 friendly loss away to Senegal. His first international goal was scored on 8 October 2011, in a 2–1 loss at Zimbabwe in 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.[18]

In 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Mendes scored three goals in two wins over Madagascar.[19][20] At the finals in South Africa, Cape Verde's first major tournament, he played all four games of a run to the quarter-finals.[21][22][23][24]

Mendes scored the decider on 10 September 2014 as Cape Verde won 2–1 against Zambia in Praia, in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.[25] He was called up for the finals in Equatorial Guinea,[26] playing in all three draws of a group-stage elimination.

In November 2020, he reached 50 international caps, for which he was rewarded with a shirt and plaque the following March.[27] A year later, he was called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon[28] and appeared in two of Cape Verde's matches at the tournament.[29]

On 17 November 2023, he played his 62th international game in a 0–0 draw with Angola in 2026 World Cup qualification game, tying Babanco’s record to become Cape Verde joint most capped player.[30]

On 21 November 2023, in a 2–0 victory over Eswatini in a 2026 World Cup qualification game, he played his 63th international game, becoming Cape Verde sole most capped player and scored his 15th international goal and tied Héldon Ramos record to become Cape Verde joint top goalscorer.[31]

In December 2023, Mendes was named in Cape Verde's squad for his fourth Africa Cup of Nations – the 2023 tournament in the Ivory Coast.[32]

He captained the team in their opening two matches of the tournament on 14 and 19 January 2024 – wins against Ghana (2–1), and Mozambique (3–0) – scoring and being named man of the match in the latter.[33] The goal against Mozambique was his 16th international goal and he thus became Cape Verde’s sole top goalscorer.[34]

He later scored the only goal from a penalty in a 1–0 victory over Mauritania, which qualified his country to the quarter-finals.[35]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 13 February 2026[36]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Goals Apps
Le Havre 2008–09 Ligue 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — 1 0
2009–10 Ligue 2 14 0 0 0 1 0 — — 15 0
2010–11 Ligue 2 32 4 0 0 2 0 — — 34 4
2011–12 Ligue 2 34 13 3 1 2 2 — — 39 16
2012–13 Ligue 2 3 2 0 0 0 0 — — 3 2
Total 84 19 3 1 5 2 — — 92 22
Le Havre II 2010–11 CFA 1 0 — — — — 1 0
Lille 2012–13 Ligue 1 9 2 0 0 0 0 3[c] 0 — 12 2
2013–14 Ligue 1 16 3 3 0 0 0 — — 19 3
2014–15 Ligue 1 19 2 0 0 2 0 10[d] 1 — 31 3
2015–16 Ligue 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 — — 3 0
2016–17 Ligue 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 2[e] 1 — 9 1
Total 54 7 3 0 2 0 15 2 — 74 9
Lille II 2013–14 CFA 1 0 — — — — 1 0
2016–17 CFA 1 0 — — — — 1 0
Total 2 0 — — — — 2 0
Nottingham Forest (loan) 2015–16 Championship 32 2 0 0 0 0 — — 32 2
Kayserispor 2016–17 Süper Lig 6 1 1 0 — — — 7 1
2017–18 Süper Lig 33 4 6 3 — — — 39 7
Total 39 5 7 3 — — — 46 8
Sharjah 2018–19 UAE Pro League 26 9 0 0 0 0 — — 26 9
2019–20 UAE Pro League 18 11 0 0 3 1 2[f] 1 1[g] 0 24 13
Total 44 20 0 0 3 1 2 1 1 0 50 22
Al-Nasr 2020–21 UAE Pro League 22 6 0 0 5 1 — — 27 7
2021–22 UAE Pro League 22 4 0 0 3 0 — — 25 4
2022–23 UAE Pro League 24 5 0 0 4 1 — — 28 6
Total 68 15 0 0 12 2 — — 80 17
Fatih Karagümrük 2023–24 Süper Lig 23 4 3 2 — — — 26 6
Kocaelispor 2024–25 TFF First League 35 12 1 0 — — — 36 12
2025–26 Süper Lig 4 0 — — — - 4 0
Total 39 12 1 0 — — – 40 12
Iğdır F.K. 2025–26 TFF First League 17 2 3 0 — — — 20 2
Career total 398 87 20 6 22 5 17 3 1 0 458 101
  1. ^ Includes Coupe de France, FA Cup, Turkish Cup, UAE President's Cup
  2. ^ Includes Coupe de la Ligue, EFL Cup, UAE League Cup
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ Four appearances, one goal in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League
  7. ^ Appearance in UAE Super Cup

International

[edit]
As of match played 17 November 2025[37]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Cape Verde 2010 3 0
2011 4 1
2012 4 3
2013 6 0
2014 3 1
2015 8 1
2016 4 0
2017 5 0
2018 3 1
2019 4 1
2020 4 2
2021 7 2
2022 6 1
2023 8 2
2024 15 6
2025 10 1
Total 94 22
Scores and results list Cape Verde's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Mendes goal.
List of international goals scored by Ryan Mendes
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 8 October 2011 Estádio da Várzea, Praia, Cape Verde  Zimbabwe 2–0 2–1 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [38]
2 29 February 2012 Mahamasina Municipal Stadium, Antananarivo, Madagascar  Madagascar 1–0 4–0 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [39]
3 16 June 2012 Estádio da Várzea, Praia, Cape Verde  Madagascar 1–0 3–1 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [40]
4 3–0
5 10 September 2014 Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia, Cape Verde  Zambia 2–1 2–1 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [41]
6 6 September 2015 Petrosport Stadium, New Cairo, Egypt  Libya 2–1 2–1 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [42]
7 1 June 2018 Stade du 5 Juillet, Algiers, Algeria  Algeria 2–2 3–2 Friendly [43]
8 18 November 2019 Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia, Cape Verde  Mozambique 2–1 2–2 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [44]
9 7 October 2020 Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella, Andorra  Andorra 1–0 2–1 Friendly [45]
10 2–1
11 26 March 2021 Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia, Cape Verde  Cameroon 3–1 3–1 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [46]
12 10 October 2021 Estádio Municipal Adérito Sena, Mindelo, Cape Verde  Liberia 1–0 1–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification [47]
13 23 September 2022 Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain  Bahrain 2–0 2–1 Friendly [48]
14 28 March 2023 Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa  Eswatini 1–0 1–0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [49]
15 21 November 2023 Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa  Eswatini 1–0 2–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification [50]
16 19 January 2024 Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast  Mozambique 2–0 3–0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [51]
17 29 January 2024 Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast  Mauritania 1–0 1–0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [52]
18 21 March 2024 Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia  Guyana 1–0 1–0 2024 FIFA Series: Saudi Arabia A [53]
19 10 September 2024 Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia, Cape Verde  Mauritania 1–0 2–0 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [54]
20 2–0
21 15 November 2024 Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia, Cape Verde  Egypt 1–1 1–1 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [55]
22 8 June 2025 Ramaz Shengelia Stadium, Kutaisi, Georgia  Georgia 1–1 1–1 Friendly [56]

Honours

[edit]

Sharjah

Kocaelispor

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ryan Mendes

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ryan Isaac Mendes da Graça, known professionally as Ryan Mendes, is a Cape Verdean professional footballer who plays as a left winger for TFF 1. Lig club Iğdır FK and serves as captain of the Cape Verde national team. Born on 8 January 1990 in Mindelo, Cape Verde, he holds dual citizenship with France and stands at 1.78 meters tall, predominantly using his right foot. With a career spanning multiple European and Middle Eastern leagues, Mendes has earned 94 caps for Cape Verde, scoring 22 goals since his debut on 11 August 2010 against Senegal, and has been instrumental in the team's historic run to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Mendes began his professional career with in the French , joining their youth setup in 2008 and breaking into the first team by 2011, where he scored 13 goals in the 2011–12 season, finishing third in the league's top scorers. In August 2012, he transferred to in for a reported €3 million, making 63 appearances and scoring 4 goals over four seasons, including periods of limited play due to injuries. During his time at Lille, he gained experience on loan, notably joining EFL Championship side Nottingham Forest in 2015, where he played 32 matches and netted 6 goals in the 2015–16 season. After leaving in 2017, Mendes moved to Turkish club on a free transfer, appearing in 39 league games and scoring 4 goals across one-and-a-half seasons. He then ventured to the , signing with in 2018, where he excelled with 8 goals and 20 assists in 44 appearances over two seasons. Subsequent stints included Al-Nasr SC in the UAE (2020–23, with 24 appearances and 5 goals in 2022–23) and a return to with Karagümrük in the (2023–24, 23 appearances, 4 goals). He joined in July 2024 before transferring to Iğdır FK on 11 September 2025, where he continues to compete in the TFF 1. Lig as of 2025. Internationally, as captain since 2023, Mendes has led to notable successes, including a 3–0 victory over in October 2025 to secure a spot in the African playoffs.

Club career

Youth and early career

Ryan Mendes was born on 8 January 1990 in , , to Cape Verdean parents. Growing up in his hometown, he developed an early interest in football amid the islands' vibrant sporting culture. Mendes began his youth career with local club Batuque FC in , progressing through their youth system as a promising talent. In 2008, at the age of 18, he moved to France seeking better opportunities, joining the youth academy of and signing his first professional contract with the club on 30 June. There, he featured in reserve team matches for , honing his skills as a winger before transitioning toward senior football.

Le Havre

Mendes joined in 2008 after being sold from his hometown club Batuque FC, signing his first professional contract with the French club at the age of 18. He quickly earned promotion to the first team during the season under coach Frédéric Hantz, making his professional debut on 13 May 2009 as a late substitute for Maxime Baca in a 1–0 home loss to . This appearance marked his entry into top-flight French football, though limited playing time followed as fought to avoid relegation, finishing 16th that year. The following 2009–10 season saw Mendes feature more prominently with 14 league appearances in Ligue 1, where he recorded his first assist, but the club was relegated after finishing 19th. Back in Ligue 2 for 2010–11 under new coach Cédric Daury, Mendes established himself as a regular starter, making 32 league appearances and scoring 4 goals while providing 6 assists, contributing to Le Havre's mid-table finish in 8th place. His role as a dynamic left winger brought pace and directness to the attack, often cutting inside from the flank to create scoring opportunities through dribbles and crosses. Mendes' breakthrough came in the 2011–12 season, where he excelled with 34 league appearances, 13 goals, and a team-high contribution to 's promotion push, finishing 5th and qualifying for the via a strong run of form that included standout performances like a brace in a 3–1 win over Istres in September 2011. He also added 5 goals in cup competitions, including 3 in the and 2 in the , showcasing his finishing ability in knockout ties. Overall, from 2008 to 2012, Mendes made 94 appearances and scored 24 goals across all competitions for , emerging as one of the division's most promising talents. His consistent performances and goal-scoring prowess drew interest from larger European clubs, culminating in a €3 million transfer to in August 2012 as sought to capitalize on his rising market value amid scouting reports.

Lille

In the summer of 2012, Ryan Mendes transferred from to for a fee of €3 million, signing a four-year contract. This move marked his step up to a prominent club competing in European competitions, following his breakthrough performances in the second tier. During his five-year stint at Lille from 2012 to 2017, Mendes made 54 appearances in , scoring 7 goals, while also featuring in the during the 2012–13 season, where Lille advanced to the quarter-finals. His contributions included versatile play on the wings, but persistent injuries hampered his progress; a severe ankle injury in early 2013 sidelined him for over 100 days, and subsequent issues like pubic bone inflammation in 2016–17 limited his availability. Under coaches including (until 2013) and (from 2017), Mendes struggled for consistent playing time amid competition for positions and his injury setbacks, often appearing as a substitute or rotation option. To revive his career, Mendes joined Nottingham Forest on loan in the English Championship for the 2015–16 season. He made 32 appearances and scored 2 goals, providing 6 assists, but faced adaptation challenges to the physical intensity and pace of English football, leading to inconsistent form despite moments of flair. Upon returning to , his limited involvement continued, and with his contract expiring at the end of the 2016–17 season, he departed as a in January 2017.

Later career

Following his limited playing time at Lille, Mendes sought greater consistency abroad, embarking on a nomadic phase across multiple leagues that showcased his versatility as a winger and occasional forward. In January 2017, Mendes joined Turkish side on a free transfer from , signing a contract until 2020. He made 39 appearances and scored 5 goals across all competitions during his 18 months there, contributing to the team's survival in the top flight amid a challenging relegation battle. His pace and added dynamism to Kayserispor's attack, though injuries occasionally disrupted his rhythm. Mendes moved to UAE Pro League club Sharjah FC in July 2018 for a reported €1.5 million transfer fee, committing to a three-year deal. Over two seasons, he featured in 50 matches and netted 22 goals, establishing himself as a key attacker with his direct runs and finishing ability. His contributions were instrumental in Sharjah's successes, including winning the 2018–19 title—their first in 11 years—and the 2019–20 . Mendes cited the move as highly motivating, driven by the opportunity for regular starts and a fresh competitive environment after inconsistent minutes in . In July 2020, Mendes transferred to fellow UAE side Al-Nasr SC (Dubai) on an undisclosed fee, where he remained until August 2023. He recorded 80 appearances and 17 goals in the UAE Pro League and cups, often deployed on the flanks or as a second striker, adapting his game to a more possession-oriented setup while providing creative outlets with 29 assists. The transfer reflected financial incentives and family considerations in the Gulf region, allowing him to balance career progression with personal stability. Returning to in August 2023, Mendes signed with newcomers Fatih Karagümrük on a one-year deal. In the 2023–24 season, he made 26 appearances and scored 6 goals across league and cup, serving as a rotational forward whose experience helped the side avoid relegation. His role evolved toward greater involvement in build-up play, leveraging his technical skills in tighter Turkish defenses. For the 2024–25 campaign, Mendes dropped to the TFF First League with , joining on a free transfer to pursue promotion ambitions. He delivered a strong output with 39 appearances and 12 goals, primarily as a left winger, aiding the team's competitive standing in the second tier. This move underscored his career at age 34, prioritizing consistent minutes over top-flight prestige. In September 2025, Mendes transferred to TFF First League club Iğdır FK on a free deal until June 2026, aiming to contribute to their newly promoted squad. As of November 2025, he has made 6 appearances and scored 2 goals, focusing on adaptation to the team's high-pressing style while maintaining his positional flexibility as a winger or forward. Throughout his later career, spanning , the UAE, and back, Mendes has demonstrated resilience, with over 230 club appearances post-Lille, motivated by financial security, family proximity in the region, and the pursuit of regular football into his mid-30s. His evolution from a pure speed merchant to a more tactical, assist-oriented player has sustained his professional output across diverse leagues.

International career

Debut and early years

Ryan Mendes, born on 8 January 1990 in , was eligible to represent the national team through his birth and citizenship in the island nation. He made his senior international debut for Cape Verde on 11 August 2010, coming on as a substitute in the 58th minute of a friendly match against in , which ended in a 0–1 defeat. Over the following two years, Mendes accumulated 11 caps for , scoring 4 goals, many of which came during the qualification campaign that marked the nation's historic first qualification for the tournament. His first international goal arrived on 8 October 2011 in a 2–1 victory over in during the Africa Cup qualifiers, followed by additional strikes against in February 2012 (a 4–0 away win) and two more in a 3–1 home win over the same opponent in June 2012. Mendes' early international career coincided with Cape Verde's emergence as a competitive force in African football under manager Antunes, who had taken charge in July 2010 and guided the team through successful qualification efforts. His strong performances at in during this period contributed to his selection, allowing him to balance club duties with national team training camps and matches. Mendes played a key role in elevating Cape Verde's status, providing pace and creativity on the wing that helped secure vital points in qualifiers against teams like and .

Major tournaments and captaincy

Mendes played a pivotal role in Cape Verde's debut at the in , where the team finished second in Group A with draws against and , and a 2–1 victory over ; he featured in all four matches, contributing to their historic run before a 0–2 loss to . In the 2015 edition hosted by , Cape Verde exited in the group stage after three draws (1–1 vs. , 0–0 vs. DR Congo and ), with Mendes starting each game and helping secure a point against the eventual runners-up. During the (held in 2022 in ), Mendes scored a crucial equalizer in a 3–3 group stage draw against the hosts, helping advance as one of the best third-placed teams with four points from a loss to and a win over ; in the round of 16, they fell 0–1 to despite his leadership on the pitch. By the 2023 tournament in Côte d'Ivoire, Mendes had assumed the captaincy, leading to their best performance yet by topping Group B with seven points (2–1 win over , 3–0 over , 0–1 loss to ), defeating 1–0 in the round of 16 via his penalty in stoppage time, and reaching the quarter-finals where they lost 0–1 on penalties to after a goalless draw. Appointed captain around 2023, Mendes has guided through successful qualification campaigns, including topping Group D in the African qualifiers with 23 points from seven wins, two draws, and one loss, securing their maiden appearance ahead of rivals ; standout contributions included assists in key wins, such as the 3–0 victory over that clinched qualification on October 13, 2025. did not qualify for the , finishing fourth in Group C. By October 18, 2025, Mendes had amassed 87 caps for , scoring 22 goals, including decisive strikes in qualifiers such as the 69th-minute goal in a 3–1 win over during the 2021 AFCON qualifying playoff. As of November 2025, he has earned 92 caps and 24 goals. His captaincy has elevated 's status, fostering resilience and unity that propelled historic achievements like qualification, marking a mature phase in the team's development.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition, as of 19 November 2025.
ClubSeasonLeagueAppsGoals
Le Havre2008–09Ligue 110
Le Havre2009–10Ligue 2141
Le Havre2010–11Ligue 2324
Le Havre2011–12Ligue 23413
Le Havre2012–13Ligue 232
Lille (loan return)2012–13Ligue 192
Lille2013–14Ligue 1163
Lille2014–15Ligue 1192
Nottingham Forest (loan)2015–16Championship322
Lille2015–16Ligue 130
Lille2016–17Ligue 170
Kayserispor2016–17Süper Lig61
Kayserispor2017–18Süper Lig334
Al-Nasr (UAE)2020–21UAE Pro League226
Al-Nasr (UAE)2021–22UAE Pro League??
Al-Nasr SC (Oman)2022–23Oman Professional League245
Fatih Karagümrük2023–24Süper Lig234
Kocaelispor2024–25TFF 1. Lig3412
Kocaelispor2025–26Süper Lig40
Iğdır FK2025–26TFF 1. Lig62
Career total411+86+
Mendes won his first major club honor with in the during the 2018–19 season, the top-flight competition featuring 14 teams in a double round-robin format over 26 matches. Playing as a key winger, he contributed 9 goals across 26 league appearances, aiding Sharjah in clinching their first-ever league title with 59 points. The following year, Mendes helped Sharjah secure the 2019 , a single-match preseason showdown between the previous season's league champions and president's cup winners. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Sharjah defeated Shabab Al Ahli 6–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw, with Mendes featuring prominently in the match. In 2024, Mendes joined in Turkey's TFF 1. Lig, the second-tier league with 20 teams competing in a round-robin format. He played a significant role in their championship-winning campaign that season, scoring 12 goals in 34 appearances to secure promotion to the with 72 points.

International

Ryan Mendes is Cape Verde's most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, with 92 appearances and 22 goals as of October 2025.
National teamYearAppsGoals
2010–20259222
Total9222
Ryan Mendes made his senior international debut for on August 11, 2010, in a friendly match against . Over the subsequent years, he played a pivotal role in elevating 's status in African football, contributing to their historic qualifications for four editions of the (AFCON) in , , (held in 2022), and 2023 (held in 2024). These achievements represented breakthroughs for a small island nation with limited resources, as had only joined in 2001 and lacked a professional domestic league. Mendes' consistent performances, including goals in qualifiers, helped secure these spots, with notable contributions such as his decisive strike in a 2-1 win over during the AFCON qualifying campaign. In the tournaments themselves, Cape Verde's deepest run came in the 2024 AFCON, where they reached the quarter-finals for the first time, defeating 2-1 in the group stage and 1-0 in the round of 16, with Mendes scoring the winning penalty in the latter match. They ultimately exited after a loss to in the quarters, but the campaign showcased the team's resilience and Mendes' leadership as captain. Earlier appearances in 2013 and 2015 saw Cape Verde advance to the group stages, finishing third in their respective pools without progressing further, while in 2022 they exited in the round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to . These participations highlighted collective successes over individual accolades, though Mendes earned recognition for his scoring prowess, netting two goals in the 2024 edition alone. Mendes' international legacy reached its zenith during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Cape Verde achieved a historic first qualification by topping CAF Group D with 23 points, four ahead of Cameroon. As captain, he was central to the campaign's climax, featuring prominently in the decisive 3-0 victory over Eswatini on October 13, 2025, which sealed their spot in the expanded 2026 tournament in North America. This milestone, for the second-smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup, underscored Mendes' enduring impact, having scored once and provided an assist across six qualifier appearances. By November 2025, Mendes stood as a symbol of Cape Verde's improbable rise on the global stage.

Honours

Club

Mendes won his first major club honor with in the during the 2018–19 season, the top-flight competition featuring 14 teams in a double round-robin format culminating in a champions league phase for the top six. Playing as a key winger, he contributed 9 goals across 26 league appearances, aiding Sharjah in clinching their first-ever league title with 53 points. The following year, Mendes helped Sharjah secure the 2019 , a single-match preseason showdown between the previous season's league champions and president's cup winners. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Sharjah defeated Shabab Al Ahli 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw, with Mendes playing the full 120 minutes. In 2024, Mendes joined in Turkey's TFF 1. Lig, the second-tier league with 20 teams competing in a round-robin format. He played a significant role in their championship-winning campaign that season, scoring 12 goals in 34 appearances to secure promotion to the with 68 points.

International

Ryan Mendes made his senior international debut for on August 11, 2010, in a friendly match against , marking the start of a career that would see him become the nation's most capped player and all-time leading goalscorer. Over the subsequent years, he played a pivotal role in elevating 's status in African football, contributing to their historic qualifications for four editions of the (AFCON) in 2013, 2015, 2021 (held in 2022), and 2023 (held in 2024). These achievements represented breakthroughs for a small island nation with limited resources, as had only joined in 2001 and lacked a professional domestic league. Mendes' consistent performances, including goals in qualifiers, helped secure these spots, with notable contributions such as his decisive strike in a 2-1 win over during the 2015 AFCON qualifying campaign. In the tournaments themselves, Cape Verde's deepest run came in the 2024 AFCON, where they reached the quarter-finals for the first time, defeating 2-1 in the group stage and 1-0 in the round of 16, with Mendes scoring the winning penalty in the latter match. They ultimately exited after a loss to in the quarters, but the campaign showcased the team's resilience and Mendes' leadership as captain. Earlier appearances in 2013 and 2015 saw Cape Verde advance to the group stages, finishing third in their respective pools without progressing further, while in 2022 they exited in the round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to . These participations highlighted collective successes over individual accolades, though Mendes earned recognition for his scoring prowess, netting two goals in the 2024 edition alone. Mendes' international legacy reached its zenith during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Cape Verde achieved a historic first qualification by topping CAF Group D with 23 points, four ahead of Cameroon. As captain, he was central to the campaign's climax, featuring prominently in the decisive 3-0 victory over Eswatini on October 13, 2025, which sealed their spot in the expanded 2026 tournament in North America. This milestone, for the second-smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup, underscored Mendes' enduring impact, having scored once and provided an assist across six qualifier appearances. By November 2025, with over 90 caps and more than 20 international goals to his name, Mendes stood as a symbol of Cape Verde's improbable rise on the global stage.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ryan-mendes/profil/spieler/111627
  2. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ryan-mendes/nationalmannschaft/spieler/111627
  3. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/21/soccer/cape-verde-captain-world-cup/
  4. https://fbref.com/en/players/ba6e01ab/Ryan-Mendes
  5. https://www.goal.com/en/player/r-mendes/career/3rh3mfijhf2horqlnflxzc6vp
  6. https://www.themountaineer.com/news/national/cape-verde-captain-getting-to-grips-with-dream-world-cup-qualification/article_fe10fa16-6b6e-5889-98c5-a2bb55b4b18c.html
  7. https://www.transfermarkt.co.in/ac-le-havre-b/transfers/verein/15439/saison_id/2008
  8. https://www.footballtop.com/players/ryan-mendes
  9. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ryan-mendes/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/111627
  10. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ryan-mendes/leistungsdaten/spieler/111627
  11. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ryan-mendes/transfers/spieler/111627
  12. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ryan-mendes/verletzungen/spieler/111627
  13. https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/lille/news/mendes-dismisses-retirement-talks_119200.html
  14. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/34157304
  15. https://www.transfermarkt.us/losc-lille/alletransfers/verein/1082
  16. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ryan-mendes/transfers/spieler/111627/transfer_id/5936422
  17. https://www.fotmob.com/players/172615/ryan-mendes
  18. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ryan-mendes/erfolge/spieler/111627
  19. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47975321
  20. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/kaapv-mendes-intlg.html
  21. https://www.transfermarkt.com/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/1028551
  22. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/39690/Ryan_Mendes.html
  23. https://www.cnn.com/2013/01/16/sport/football/mourinho-antunes-cape-verde-africa-football
  24. https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/cape-verde-name-veterans-mendes-vozinha-african-cup-nations-squad-2023-12-29/
  25. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67954111
  26. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251013-historic-world-cup-qualification-for-cape-verde-islanders
  27. https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/news/cape-verde-historically-qualifies-for-the-fifa-world-cup/
  28. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ryan-mendes/leistungsdaten/spieler/111627
  29. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ryan-mendes/erfolge/spieler/111627
  30. https://sport360.com/article/football/arabian-gulf-league/334606/sharjah-show-they-are-going-nowhere-in-ag-super-cup-shabab-al-ahli-splutter-to-penalty-defeat
  31. https://www.fctables.com/players/ryan_mendes-308154/
  32. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ryan-mendes/nationalmannschaft/spieler/111627
  33. https://www.cafonline.com/afcon2025/news/mendes-penalty-sends-cape-verde-into-quarter-finals/
  34. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/oct/14/cape-verde-celebrate-historic-2026-world-cup-qualification
  35. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c04q0gd0yedo
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