A day with the Lopes family: 'That's why he's Pico. He's a strong fella. It makes me a very proud man'

There is even more reason for Roberto Lopes to have such pride now that he is a Cape Verde international, having belatedly replied to a message on networking website LinkedIn from the national team manager

Shamrock Rovers and Cape Verde footballer Roberto Lopes with his father Carlos Lopes pictured at his home in Crumlin, Dublin. Pictures: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Welcome to a socially distanced living room.

On one couch is Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes, who sits beneath a photograph of the day he made his First Holy Communion.