Ryan Mendes faces charges after alleged attack in New Zealand

Ryan Mendes, the captain of Cape Verde, is under police investigation in New Zealand following allegations of assault and rape. The 36-year-old forward of Turkish club Igdir FK was questioned by local authorities after a complaint was filed by a Brazilian woman hired as an interpreter for the national team during a March training camp in Auckland.

The alleged incident occurred while the Cape Verde squad was staying at the same hotel as the interpreter, who was assisting with operational matters due to Portuguese being the official language of Cape Verde. According to the complaint, Mendes forcibly entered her room, assaulted her, and later raped her. The woman documented her injuries—including cuts to her mouth, bruising to her neck, leg, breasts, lips, head, and buttocks—and submitted the evidence to police.

Medical examinations revealed two small wounds on the victim’s labia, and she received psychological support from a sexual violence clinic before filing the formal complaint. Police confirmed an active investigation is underway, though the New Zealand football federation declined to comment on the case.

The woman and her husband had requested that Mendes not be selected for the upcoming World Cup, yet he remains part of the squad. The Cape Verdean football association has not responded to her contact, according to her account.

A spokesperson for the New Zealand police stated that the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid at this stage.