Cape Verde: Premier League Nations
Continuing our alphabetical world tour, next up is Cape Verde. According to the Premier League website, two players have represented Cape Verde in the Premier League.
If you’re reading this article through pure curiosity, you’re in luck. Anyone remember Pele playing for West Brom? Well…
First Player – Pelé (West Bromwich Albion; 2008-09)
Pedro Miguel Cardoso Monteiro, known as Pelé, became the first Cabo Verdean to play in the Premier League in 2009, when he came on as a first half substitute in West Brom’s 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
Born in Portugal, Pelé first moved to England with Southampton, then in the Championship, before joining league rivals the Baggies and winning promotion in his first season at the Hawthorns.
He played just three Premier League games before leaving for Falkirk at the end of the season, as the Baggies suffered an immediate return to the Championship.
As strange as it sounds, Pelé currently plays club football for non-league side Totton United.
Records
- Most Appearances – Pelé (3)
- First appearance – Pelé (WEST BROM 3-0 Middlesbrough, January 17th 2009)
- Most goals – None
- First goal – N/A
Other Players
Another Premier League legend, Cabral started the first game of the 2013/14 season and never featured in another league game for Sunderland.
Trivia
- Pelé and Cabral both made just one Premier League start.
- Cabral played for Switzerland at several youth levels, but changed his allegiance in 2012 by accepting a senior call up to Cape Verde.
- More Cabo Verdeans live outside of Cape Verde than inside.
- Pelé was born in Portugal and made his international debut for Cape Verde in 2006.