Rotterdam pitches produce World Cup stars for Cape Verde

On the football pitches of Spangen, Rotterdam-West, a unique generation of talent honed their skills. Five Cape Verdean players, all with roots in this vibrant district, are now representing their nation at the World Cup, a historic first for the island country.

Jamiro Monteiro, a key figure among them, beams as he recounts their shared past. "We've known each other since we were little," he says. "Rotterdam is small, all Cape Verdeans know each other. And we all come from Rotterdam-West, from Spangen, which makes it even more special. So yes, it's very strange, especially to be playing with three Rotterdammers in midfield today."

The journey to this global stage was far from guaranteed. Cape Verde only qualified for their first World Cup this year, and their national team only debuted at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, reaching the quarterfinals surprisingly. For many of these Rotterdam-based players, a World Cup seemed an impossible dream.

Players like the Duarte brothers, Laros and Deroy, were once considered top talents, even playing youth international football for the Netherlands. Others, like Garry Rodrigues, overcame early career disappointments. Rodrigues, who played for amateur clubs after leaving Feyenoord's youth academy, eventually debuted for the national team and went on to play for prominent clubs in Greece and Turkey. His success offered hope to aspiring footballers in Rotterdam, proving that a professional career is still possible despite setbacks.

Monteiro himself faced a challenging path, playing for a German amateur club and spending a year without a team before being discovered by Arne Slot. He later played over 100 games in Major League Soccer before returning to play in the Netherlands. Their collective story is a testament to resilience, shared roots, and the unexpected triumphs that can emerge from a close-knit community.

“

We've known each other since we were little. Rotterdam is small, all Cape Verdeans know each other. And we all come from Rotterdam-West, from Spangen, which makes it even more special. So yes, it's very strange, especially to be playing with three Rotterdammers in midfield today.