Shamrock Rovers Star Lee Grace Backs Pico Lopes and Cape Verde at World Cup

The 33 year old will be cheering on Cape Verde in their first appearance at the finals as his centre-back partner at Rovers and friend Roberto Pico Lopes will be featuring for the second smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup.

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Lopes and Grace joined the League of Ireland side around the same time, with the former arriving from Bohemians in November 2016 and the latter in August 2017 from Galway United.

They have since gone on to forge a solid defensive partnership during a spell of sustained success for the Dublin club, winning five Premier Division titles and two FAI Cups as well as enjoying two campaigns in the Uefa Conference League.

It has been quite the journey for the two who have been together the bones of nearly 10 years and Grace is relishing seeing the Rovers captain play on the biggest stage after witnessing his rise to this point.

He told Source that Pico is an absolutely brilliant player and a leader before he was named captain of the club, setting the standard the way he trains and giving his life to football.

Grace said seeing him get the rewards is very pleasing for all of them and they are all very proud of him.

Lopes was born in Dublin to a Cape Verdean father and Irish mother, making his debut for the country in 2019 having previously made one appearance for the Republic of Ireland Under-19s in 2011.

He received a warm send-off from his native suburb of Crumlin and from Rovers fans in his last game for the club before jetting off stateside.

There were plenty of Cape Verde flags in the crowd in Tallaght on that night at the end of May and Grace believes everyone around the league and in the country will be keen to get behind one of their own.

He said it is unbelievable and that is everyone’s dream to play for your country at the World Cup, adding that Pico was born and raised in Ireland but his dad is from Cape Verde and he has a load of family out there so he is sure he is very proud to represent them.

Grace said the whole of the League of Ireland will get behind Pico because he is representing the league first and foremost and Ireland as a country, and the support is already visible.

He recalled the last game before Pico left where he was brought out onto the pitch at half-time with a lot of Cape Verde flags and got a send-off by the fans.

Grace will have to adjust his sleep schedule to watch some of Cape Verde’s group stage games.

They start their campaign in Group H against 2010 champions Spain on 15 June at 17:00 BST, followed by Uruguay on 21 June at 22:00 BST and Saudi Arabia six days later at 01:00 BST.

He said the first game against Spain is fine but the next are at 10pm and one in the morning so he will definitely watch the 5pm and 10pm and see if he is still awake for the 1am game, adding that whatever happens win lose or draw Pico is playing on the biggest stage and living out a dream.