Pico Lopes, a captain for Shamrock Rovers and a recent participant in the World Cup with Cape Verde, has offered his prediction for the All-Ireland football final, backing Kerry to defeat Mayo. Lopes made his statement during a civic reception at his former club, Lourdes Celtic FC, where he was honored for his international achievements.
Lopes stated his belief that Kerry's current team strength gives them an edge, acknowledging Mayo's long-standing quest for a win but emphasizing Kerry's formidable lineup. "They’re up against one of the best Kerry teams I’ve seen, so it’ll be difficult," he commented.
Beyond his football insights, Lopes reflected on his experience in the World Cup and his potential future in broadcasting. He expressed openness to opportunities in media after his playing career concludes, having enjoyed his recent punditry work with RTÉ. "I really enjoyed it, but who knows? That’s for the future," he said.
Looking ahead, Lopes conveyed a strong desire to return to the World Cup stage with Cape Verde. "Once you get a taste for that sort of level of football on that stage, you want to be back," he stated, though he acknowledged the challenges of making it back in four years.
Lopes also shared progress on his Portuguese language skills, which improved during his time with the Cape Verde national team. He noted that while Portuguese is improving, learning the Creole language spoken in Cape Verde presents a greater challenge due to its primarily spoken nature.
Encouraging young athletes, Lopes advised them to pursue activities that bring them happiness. "But if you want to do something else, if you want to play Gaelic or if you want to be a dancer, now’s the time to start doing something that makes a difference," he added.
The reception at Lourdes Celtic FC provided an opportunity for young players from the club to meet Lopes. Ten-year-old Freya Dunphy of Crumlin expressed that Lopes's journey from Lourdes Celtic to the World Cup has inspired her own football aspirations. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, recognized Lopes's achievements as a source of inspiration for young footballers across the city, highlighting his World Cup participation as a significant accomplishment.
