‘He won the World Cup!’ Dubliner Pico Lopes welcomed home to local club

Dublin footballer Pico Lopes at Lourdes Celtic FC (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA)

Dubliner Pico Lopes urged children to have a dream and “be a believer” as he was given a hero’s welcome at the club where he started playing football.

The 34-year-old Cabo Verde international said life has been far from normal since he got back from the 2026 World Cup in the US, where he and the Cape Verde football team gave a plucky and inspirational performance.