Ryan Mendes has etched his name into Cabo Verde football folklore by earning his 100th international cap in the Blue Sharks’ Group H encounter against Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium.

The 36-year-old captain became the first player in his nation’s history to reach the century mark, a monumental achievement for a player from a country of just 600,000 people making its World Cup debut.

Mendes, who made his debut in 2010, entered the match with 99 caps and 22 goals. As he led his teammates onto the pitch, emotion was visible. The veteran winger has been the heartbeat of Cabo Verde for 16 years, captaining the side through multiple Africa Cup of Nations campaigns and steering them to historic qualification for the 2026 tournament.

Born on January 8, 1990, in Fogo, Mendes began his journey with local side Batuque FC before enjoying a successful club career across Europe and the Middle East. He featured for Le Havre and Lille in France, had a loan spell at Nottingham Forest, and later shone in Turkey and the UAE. Currently playing for Iğdır FK in Turkey, his experience and leadership remain unmatched.

Cabo Verde arrived in the Uruguay encounter with momentum after a resilient 0-0 draw against Spain in their opener, where goalkeeper Vozinha’s heroics earned global praise. Against two-time champions Uruguay, Mendes’ calm presence and tactical awareness will be crucial as the underdogs look to cause another upset.

Reaching 100 caps is rare even for players from football powerhouses, but for Mendes it represents perseverance and national pride. Regardless of the result against Uruguay, Mendes’ 100th cap stands as a beacon for future generations of the nation.