Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes faces rape investigation in New Zealand ahead of World Cup round of 16
The 36-year-old forward, set to earn his 100th cap against Argentina, is accused of strangling, biting, and raping a Brazilian interpreter in an Auckland hotel in March.
Ryan Mendes, the historic captain and all-time top scorer of Cape Verde's national team, is under investigation by New Zealand police for an alleged rape that took place during a team training camp in March 2026, according to reports in the Brazilian outlet Globo.
Mendes, 36, is the most-capped player for Cape Verde with 99 appearances and 22 goals. He has already featured in his team's first three World Cup matches and is set to mark his 100th cap in the round of 16 against Argentina.
The alleged assault
The incident allegedly occurred on the night of 27 March 2026 at the team hotel in Auckland, where Cape Verde was staying for friendly matches against Chile and New Zealand. The accuser, a Brazilian woman living in New Zealand, had been hired by the New Zealand Football Federation to act as an interpreter and operational support for the visiting delegation.
According to her testimony, she entered a team room after being told it was a meeting, realised it was a party, and returned to her own room. Shortly after, she heard a knock and opened the door, thinking it was work-related. Mendes, she says, then attacked her: strangling, punching, biting, and raping her as she tried to fight him off.
The genital examination revealed two circular lesions, painful to touch, at the base of the labia minora.
Medical evidence and investigation
Photographs published by Globo show bruises on the woman's breasts, neck, lips, and buttocks, as well as scalp tenderness. The formal complaint was filed and the police investigation began on 10 April 2026. Mendes was not immediately suspended by his national federation.
- Alleged assault takes place at team hotel in Auckland.
- New Zealand police open rape investigation against Ryan Mendes.
- Victim and husband send evidence and exclusion request to Cape Verde FA and FIFA.
- Mendes continues to play at World Cup, set for 100th cap in round of 16.
Federation response and World Cup status
On 10 May, the accuser and her husband sent extrajudicial notices to the Cape Verdean Football Federation and FIFA, including a full account of events, evidence, and a request that Mendes be excluded from the World Cup. No reply was received.
In a WhatsApp conversation shared with Globo, a federation official dismissed the case.
All this matter is Ryan's personal problem, which does not involve the federation.
Mendes, who began his career in France with Le Havre and later played for Lille, has continued to compete and is expected to feature against Argentina in the knockout stage. The New Zealand police investigation remains active.
