Cape Verde’s breakout star Sidny Lopez Cabral has revealed that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho personally reached out to him during the FIFA World Cup, offering words of encouragement as the midfielder enjoyed the biggest tournament of his career.
Sidny, who lit up the Round of 32 clash against Argentina with a sensational curling goal, said Mourinho had messaged him after Cape Verde’s impressive performances against Spain and Uruguay, urging him to keep believing in himself.
“Mourinho sent me a message after Spain and Uruguay: ‘Bravo! Keep going, believe in yourself,'” Sidny revealed after Cape Verde’s memorable World Cup campaign.
The message has drawn attention after Sidny emerged as one of the surprise performers of the tournament. Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, pushed defending champions Argentina to the limit before eventually losing 3-2 after extra time in one of the most dramatic matches of the competition.
Sidny’s stunning strike against Argentina is among the standout goals of the tournament. Exploiting space down Argentina’s right flank, the Cape Verde midfielder curled a superb effort beyond the goalkeeper to level the scores and expose one of the few weaknesses in Lionel Scaloni’s side.
While the goal grabbed headlines, Sidny suggested Mourinho’s faith in him had been building well before that moment.
The 23-year-old has previously worked under Mourinho and spoke glowingly about the Portuguese coach’s honesty, saying it was one of the qualities he admired the most.
“He’s the one who tells you that you played shit. He’s the one who tells you that you played great. I think he’s the most honest person I ever met,” Sidny said.
“I believe that if I worked longer with him I could reach my top level.”
Mourinho’s message comes at a time when Sidny’s stock has risen considerably after his performances on football’s biggest stage. Cape Verde may have exited the tournament, but the midfielder’s displays against some of the world’s strongest teams have made him one of the breakout names of the World Cup.
The player, who operates as a left-back for Cape Verde is ambi-petal in nature and can double up as a right back or a right mid-fielder as well. This should interest Real Madrid, who are hunting for both positions ahead of the new season.
Against Argentina, Sidny was one of the few players who consistently troubled the defending champions. His direct running and willingness to attack created problems throughout the match, while his superb finish ensured Argentina were forced into extra time before eventually prevailing 3-2.
Argentina ultimately progressed to the Round of 16, with Lionel Messi once again proving decisive, but Cape Verde left the tournament with widespread admiration after taking one of the favourites to the brink.
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