Defender Lopes Cabral, 23 years old, reinforces the professional football team from Sport Lisboa and Benfica. The Cape Verdean international moved from Estrela da Amadora to Glorioso, signing a contract valid until 2030.
Officialized and presented this Tuesday, December 30th, as a reinforcement of Glorioso, Lopes Cabral, the new number 15 of the Eagleshighlighted his happiness in the words he spoke, explaining that can offer “aggression, strength and a lot of happiness” to the team led by José Mourinho.
The short conversation – “strong”, as he insisted on characterizing it – with the eagles’ coach was also discussed, leaving a clear message for the Benfica fans in the exclusive interview has Editor: “I want to score a lot of goals and win trophies.”
ROUTE
Born in Rotterdam in September 18, 2002but with Cape Verdean ancestry, Lopes Cabral took his first steps in football at youth level Feyenoord and the FC Twentebefore continuing his career with the Under-21 team of Helsingborgs IFin Sweden.
At the beginning of 2022, the now Eagles player headed to Germany, where he represented the Rot Weiss Erfurtthen in the Oberliga Süd, equivalent to the 5th level. Contributing to the team’s rise to the highest level, he emerged as a young talent, and, by the end of 2024, had added a total of 52 challengeshaving scored 3 goals in around 3800 minutes.
In January 2024, Lopes Cabral transferred to FC Victoria Cologne. In the German 3rd division, the versatile defender continued to evolve and scored half a hundred meetings. In about 3400 minutes, he scored 3 goals to which he added 8 assists.
The ascending journey on Germanic soil motivated the call to main Cape Verde national team. A debut took place on October 12, 2023, on the occasion of a private meeting with Algeria. Lopes Cabral was released after 75 minutes of play.
Since then, the defender has participated in a further 5 matches representing his national team, 2 of which in the qualifying phase for the 2026 World Cuphaving noted 1 goal in the draw against Libya (3-3), in the 9th round of Group D, in October 2025.
Already present seasonbefore his transfer to Benfica, Lopes Cabral played for Estrela da Amadora, for which he signed in the 2025 summer market, after spending time at FC Victoria Cologne. Aligning in 16 clashestotaled 5 goals and 3 assists.
MESSAGE TO FANS
