Deroy Duarte has created history for Cabo Verde as the youngster scored his first international goal against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash on Friday (July 3).

Duarte pounced on an incisive pass and slotted past Emiliano Martinez to level the score against the defending champions in the knockout encounter.

Who is Deroy Duarte?

Deroy D’Encarnação Duarte (born 4 July 1999) is a professional midfielder for Bulgarian First League club Ludogorets Razgrad and the Cape Verde national team. Born and raised in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to Cape Verdean parents, he is the younger brother of fellow Cape Verde international Laros Duarte. Standing at 1.77 m and right-footed, he primarily operates as a central or defensive midfielder.

Duarte progressed through Sparta Rotterdam’s youth academy from 2006. He made his senior debut for Sparta in the Eredivisie in August 2017 and played a key role in their 2018-19 promotion back to the top flight. After 115 appearances and 13 goals for Sparta (including Jong Sparta), he joined Fortuna Sittard on a free transfer in August 2021, where he made 92 appearances and scored 4 goals over three seasons. In June 2024, he moved to Ludogorets Razgrad, contributing in the Bulgarian league and European competitions.

Internationally, Duarte represented the Netherlands at youth level (including 9 caps for the U19s) before switching allegiance to Cape Verde. He debuted for the senior team in March 2022 and has now scored his first international goal against mighty Argentina.

Deroy Duarte endured Family Separation

Duarte’s journey involved notable life hardships. His parents separated during his teenage years, leaving his mother, Maria da Cruz, to raise the brothers largely on her own while working part-time.

She drove them extensively across the Netherlands for training and matches for over a decade in her old Toyota Starlet, often spending full days at the club amid financial and logistical strains. The family pushed through these challenges with resilience; Duarte turned professional at age 16, easing some of the burden.