Ryan Mendes

Ryan Mendes is a Cape Verdean forward currently with Rio Ave, where his game is defined by movement in the final third, pressing energy, and decisive end product. His move to Rio Ave has become a key chapter in a career built on attacking timing, penalty-area presence, and responsibility in decisive moments. For Cape Verde, he has become part of a Cape Verde squad looking to make its group-stage opportunity count and is asked to turn limited chances into scoreboard pressure when tournament margins tighten. At World Cup 2026, the key question is whether Ryan Mendes can carry his club rhythm into the international stage, handle the physical tempo of the group, and deliver one or two decisive moments that change the shape of Cape Verde's campaign.