Fresh from making history at the World Cup, Cape verde hero Pico has his say on the All-Ireland final... and whether the 75-year Mayo curse will FINALLY be broken

Published: 23:55, 25 July 2026 | Updated: 23:57, 25 July 2026 World Cup hero Pico Lopes yesterday nailed his colours firmly to the mast – backing Kerry to see off Mayo in today’s All-Ireland football final. The Shamrock Rovers captain made his prediction as he received a rousing homecoming at his boyhood club, Lourdes Celtic FC, where Dublin City Council hosted a joyous civic reception in his honour. Fresh from helping Cape Verde make history on the world stage, Lopes swapped the bright lights of the World Cup for familiar surroundings, receiving a hero’s welcome from family, friends and young footballers eager to celebrate one of their own. ‘I think Kerry,’ he told the Irish Mail on Sunday, disappointing Mayo and neutral fans all over the country. His prediction had less to do with Mayo’s famous 75-year curse than Kerry’s quality. ‘Mayo have been overdue a win, but I just think the Kerry team are so strong at the moment. ‘They’re up against one of the best Kerry teams I’ve seen, so it’ll be difficult.’ Pico admitted he would love the chance to return to football’s biggest stage with Cape Verde With hundreds of children chanting ‘Pico!’ in the background, the star reflected on the praise for his RTÉ punditry work since returning from the World Cup. Asked if he could see a future for himself in broadcasting once his playing days are over, the Shamrock Rovers captain said he was keeping an open mind. ‘I don’t know, I was blessed to have a great opportunity with RTÉ to go in and comment on some of the games. ‘It’s great having played at the World Cup and coming back and sharing my experiences.  'I really enjoyed it, but who knows?  Pico also admitted he would love the chance to return to football’s biggest stage with Cape Verde. 'Once you get a taste for that sort of level of football on that stage, you want to be back. ‘It’ll be difficult, of course. ‘It’s four years away, so I don’t know how the legs will be.  'But yeah, you have to dream and believe.’ The defender also revealed he has been working on his Portuguese since linking up with the Cape Verde national team. World Cup hero Pico Lopes yesterday nailed his colours firmly to the mast – backing Kerry to see off Mayo in today’s All-Ireland football final ‘It’s getting a little better,’ he laughed.  ‘The time away definitely helped. ‘I’ve been trying to learn since I played.  'Creole is what we speak as well down there.  ‘But yeah, I’d like to say I’m at conversational level.’ The soccer star also said he would encourage his son to get involved in football but stressed that children should pursue whatever interests make them happy. ‘Just because of the way I enjoyed it and what it meant to me, I just think it’s a sport for everyone. ‘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. Saturday’s civic welcome also gave dozens of young Lourdes Celtic players the chance to meet the footballer who once played for the club himself before going on to greater things. Among them was 10-year-old Freya Dunphy from Crumlin, who said Lopes’s journey had inspired her own football ambitions  Among them was 10-year-old Freya Dunphy from Crumlin, who said Lopes’s journey had inspired her own football ambitions. ‘I love Pico because it’s very inspiring that he played for Lourdes Celtic and then he made it to the World Cup,’ she said. ‘I’m really hoping that can be me one day.’ Freya, who plays in midfield for Lourdes Celtic, was among the young fans queuing for photos and autographs as the club celebrated one of its most successful former players. Lord Mayor of Dublin Daryl Barron said Lopes’s achievements had given young footballers across the city someone to look up to. Reflecting on Cape Verde’s World Cup run, Barron said: ‘Not every day you get to mark Messi against Argentina. ‘So, I think that’ll always be his pièce de résistance, the icing on the cake. 'It’s not only at club level what he’s done at Shamrock Rovers, but now at international level at the World Cup. ‘Not everyone gets to say they were at a World Cup.  'Very few Irish internationals at the moment can say that.” He added: ‘It’s great for the city, great for the area as well, and a great boost for football in Dublin in general to see one of our own get to a World Cup, albeit for Cabo Verde.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.