Lopes Cabral reached his career peak at the World Cup, even in defeat.
The winger scored possibly the goal of the tournament for Cape Verde against Argentina, cutting in from the left to bend in an astonishing long-range strike.
He instantly shot to fame with the strike, coming after a difficult season at club level.
Lopes Cabral joined Benfica in January after flying out of the blocks playing in Portugal for rivals Estrela da Amadora.
Lopes Cabral loses Benfica trust after Prestianni affair
He had a decent start, but it all appeared to come crashing down thanks to Gianluca Prestianni.
On February 17th Presitanni was accused of racist abuse against Vinicius Jr by Kylian Mbappe.
Benfica lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League and Vinicius complained to the referee after Prestianni was seen talking to him with his shirt covering his mouth.
Mbappe then claimed he heard the word ‘monkey’ five times, and Prestianni was later banned for the return leg, later getting his ban extended after claiming he used a homophobic slur against Vinicius.
The problem for Lopes Cabral game a week later during the return leg when he requested Vinicius’ shirt after Benfica exited the competition.
Prestianni and Mourinho criticise Lopes Cabral
The moment later went viral, and Prestianni liked a post criticising his teammate.
It read: “Sidny asked Vinicius for his shirt at the end of the match…
“We’ve spent a week criticising each other for the crying, lying baby, and as soon as the game ends, the first thing he does is ask for his shirt.”
Coach Jose Mourinho was later asked about the moment, and didn’t exactly help.
“I don’t think the jersey was objectionable, but it could have been avoided,” he said.
“I think it’s normal for players to exchange jerseys in games that mark their careers, especially with players they identify with and who are of a stratospheric level, but I think it could have been avoided.”
Lopes Cabral only played for Benfica once more to end the season, and has since departed for Trabzonspor.
Yet despite seeming to be very hard done by, the Cape Verde star has no ill will.
Lopes Cabral loves Mourinho and recalls scolding
Reflecting on his time at Benfica he was full of praise for Mourinho.
“He’s one of the best coaches in history and had a huge influence on me,” he said.
“I think if I had continued working with him, I would have reached my full potential.
“But, due to life’s circumstances, he’s now at Real Madrid and I’m at Trabzonspor.”
He went on to recall one incident, saying: “Mourinho is very direct. Very much so.
“I remember one day when I didn’t play particularly well in a match, and the next day he came up to me and said, ‘Sidny, you were terrible yesterday.’
“He always speaks to you with sincerity and honesty. And when you do something well, he tells you that too.
“Other coaches aren’t like him, they aren’t so sincere. They tell you something negative, but they try to soften it or present it as something positive.
“Mourinho doesn’t. Mourinho doesn’t hesitate to tell you things to your face and tell you the truth. That’s very important.”
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