How a Dutch-born defender became the star of the 2026 World Cup
In short: From the youth academies of Sweden to the heights of the FIFA World Cup, Sidny Lopes Cabral’s rapid ascent is remarkable. After helping Cape Verde reach their first-ever tournament, his spectacular strike against Argentina earned him the title of the world's best goal of the tournament.
Born in the Netherlands in 2002 to parents from Santiago, Cape Verde, Sidny Lopes Cabral has carved out an extraordinary career trajectory. His journey began in the Swedish youth academy of Helsingborg, where he was identified as a bright prospect. By 2024, his defensive capabilities were evident when he signed for the German side Viktoria Köln, providing much-needed stability to their backline.
His move to Portugal in the summer of 2025 proved to be a turning point. During his debut season with Estrela da Amadora, he transitioned from a pure defender into a potent offensive weapon, recording five goals and two assists. This offensive flair included a notable hat-trick against Casa Pia. His performances were so commanding that he secured a move to Benfica on 30 December 2025, for a fee that could reach as high as €8.5 million depending on add-ons.
The pinnacle of his career arrived on the world stage. Selected by coach Bubista for Cape Verde's historic first appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lopes Cabral made history during the round of 32. In a high-stakes match against Argentina on 3 July, he scored a curling equalizer during extra time. Although Cape Verde ultimately fell 3–2, his strike was voted the best goal of the entire tournament. This success paved the way for a €10 million transfer to the Turkish Süper Lig club Trabzonspor in June 2026.
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