Defender Diney Borges celebrates Cape Verde’s representation in the World Cup and overcoming its origins

With a population of just over 500 thousand inhabitants, Cape Verde stands out as one of the smallest countries to compete in a World Cup, being surpassed in number of inhabitants only by Curaçao among the participating teams. For decades, the archipelago was practically unknown on the global football scene. However, after a surprising draw with Spain, the world is now turning its eyes to the island nation, seeking to understand its rise.

Diney Borges, Al Bataeh defender and one of the leaders of the Blue Sharks, gave an exclusive interview to MARCA a few hours after his team staged the first big surprise of the tournament. The player expressed that people observe Cape Verde with a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity. Before the historic confrontation against Spain, the nation was seen as exotic and little known. The draw against a giant of world football was not just an unexpected result for Spain, but rather the realization of a dream cherished by Cape Verde, a moment that the players hope to immortalize.

The athlete expressed the conviction that performance in the World Cup will make the world more interested in the nation and recognize the football quality present in Cape Verde. He considers the country’s inclusion on the global football map a monumental achievement, but highlights the team’s ambition for more. For Borges, the feat is not a mere coincidence. “People don’t understand the depth of what this means for us. Cape Verde is truly our mission,” he said.

With players playing in leagues in Portugal, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and France, many with careers built in access divisions and facing long periods away from their families, the team overcame obstacles that seemed insurmountable. Diney Borges emphasized that this cast is living a unique experience. “We have all longed for this moment throughout our journeys, and now that we have the chance to experience it, we need to give our all for each other and for our nation,” he explained.

Debuting in a World Cup is, for Diney, the greatest motivation. He revealed the essence of the group: “Many of us come from humble beginnings, from the deepest point, and have traveled a long and arduous path to get here.” The player continued, describing the real meaning of this journey. “Can you imagine what this represents for us? All the hours away from our loved ones, each day of fighting, each day dreaming of being on this stage, each day seeking to compete alongside the best in the world…”

The Cape Verdean defender, however, goes beyond the narrative of resilience. “The match against Spain showcased our individual skill, but, above all, the strength of our spirit”, he stressed. The word “spirit” was repeated several times during the interview. He highlighted that the team knew it needed to be modest against Spain, willing to withstand pressure and be shrewd in the search for scoring opportunities. The team demonstrated great unity and practically impeccable defense, maintaining energy and faith until the final whistle.

Despite possible perceptions, Diney Borges assured that Cape Verde is not a purely defensive team. Goalkeeper Vozinha, a veteran and national symbol, was fundamental in maintaining the team’s cohesion in the most difficult moments, serving as an inspiration to the younger players and a true leader. Borges also highlighted the high quality of the current squad and other Cape Verdean players who, for various reasons, are not present in the competition.

When commenting on Rodri’s criticism, who mentioned that the team did not pass the midfield line, Diney Borges expressed understanding, but pride. “He is one of the biggest names in world football and we all respect him. It is natural to feel dissatisfaction after a game you want to win. We acted fairly and exploited our strengths”, began the defender. He concluded that trying to play on equal terms with high-level teams would involve great risks, highlighting the importance of pragmatism.

Diney surprised by reaffirming that, contrary to what many think, Cape Verde is not a defensive team. “We have quality on the ball and we enjoy attacking football, but in a World Cup, it is crucial to be strategic,” he emphasized. He warned against underestimating the next opponents, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, recognizing them as strong and favorite teams.

A new phase begins for the Cape Verdean team. “We know we have a greater responsibility. The eyes of the entire world will be on us,” he said. For Diney, with 30 appearances for the national team and spells at clubs in Portugal, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, the World Cup could open up new opportunities in his career. “Some proposals are already emerging for my managers, but my current focus is the selection”, he revealed with a smile. “If possible, that they take a while to arrive… that would mean that we have advanced a lot in the tournament.”