Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes is under investigation by New Zealand police after a Brazilian translator accused him of rape during the national team’s visit to the country in March 2026.
The allegations were first reported by Brazil’s Globo and later confirmed by other media outlets. According to the report, the 36-year-old striker is accused of sexually assaulting a Brazilian woman hired as a translator for Cape Verde during the FIFA Series matches in New Zealand.
The woman alleged that after Cape Verde’s match against Chile, she was invited to what she believed would be a work-related meeting in one of the team’s hotel rooms. She said she later realised it was a social gathering and returned to her own room.
In a statement to New Zealand police, she alleged that Mendes later knocked on her hotel door, forced his way inside, physically assaulted her, and raped her.
The complainant said she suffered injuries to her mouth, neck, leg and side and submitted photographs of the injuries to investigators. She also claimed she reported the incident to at least three Cape Verde football officials but received no response.
New Zealand police are investigating the complaint and have reportedly obtained hotel security camera footage. Authorities are also awaiting forensic examination results before deciding whether to file criminal charges.
The alleged assault was first reported by New Zealand media in May, although the player’s identity was not disclosed at the time.
Mendes has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Earlier on Sunday, FIFA said it was aware of the reports and was in contact with New Zealand authorities.
In a statement quoted by Brazilian media, football’s governing body said it takes allegations of misconduct “extremely seriously” but could not comment further or confirm whether any formal investigation is underway.
The allegations come as Cape Verde celebrates a historic run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament’s knockout stage.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no criminal charges have been announced. Mendes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
