African minnows Cape Verde have sealed an historic place at next summer’s World Cup in the USA and former Manchester United forward Bebe played a role in their achievement
Bebe
Bebe arrived at Manchester United in 2010(Image: Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United flop Bebe might have felt that a World Cup spot was a distant memory. The Portuguese-born forward failed to make an appearance for the country of his birth and eventually went on to declare for African minnows Cape Verde back in 2022.
As it stands, the nation sit 70th in the current FIFA rankings. But that has not held them back, with a 3-0 win against Eswatini seeing them secure a spot at next summer’s tournament in the USA.
Former Manchester United star, Bebe, has earned 27 caps for the nation since declaring his allegiance to the African nation in 2022. In that time, he has scored six goals.
One of his strikes was a brilliant 50-yard free-kick in a 3-0 victory over Mozambique at last year’s African Cup of Nations. While the 36-year-old’s contributions have been limited as of late, having not made an international appearance since November 2024, he has still contributed.
Bebe has still made two appearances - both of which were starts - in Cape Verde’s qualification campaign. It looks unlikely that he will be at the tournament but he will be satisfied with the fact that he has helped his adoptive nation make history.
"It's the stuff of dreams, it really is," Cape Verde and Shamrock Rovers star Pico Lopes said upon the country sealing their spot at the World Cup.
"I know that's thrown about a lot, but anyone who has that aspiration of being a footballer, there's probably one tournament that everyone would love to play in - it's the World Cup.
"It's the most prestigious tournament we have in our sport and any person starting out kicking a football would love to see themselves representing their country at a World Cup. It's a dream come true and I'll talk about it to anyone who listens for the rest of my life!"
Bebe
Bebe has earned 27 caps for Cape Verde
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While Bebe’s international career has so far been storied, the same could certainly be said of his club career. He arrived at Old Trafford in 2010 from Vitória de Guimarães but he made just seven appearances before leaving permanently for Benfica.
“Every day I called my agent to ask him to get me out. It was a bad time," Bebe told Goal about his United exit. "When you do not play, even if you are at a great club, then you are not happy, so why continue?
"I remember that I was going for a United game with the youth team, and my agent called me and told me I had been sold to Benfica. It was the best moment of my life!"
He went on to play for Eibar and Rayo Vallecano in Spain, leaving the latter last year. Bebe has remained in Spain, having represented Racing Ferrol and lower league side Ibiza.
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