'Pico' Lopes -- Cape Verde defender's journey from Ireland to World Cup (opens in new tab)

The 34-year-old's outstanding defensive performance for Cape Verde in the 0-0 draw with European champions Spain on Monday justified his decision to cut short working in the bank in 2017 and bet the house on making it as a professional footballer. At the time he was combining his job with playing for Bohemians in the League of Ireland when their wealthier Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers offered him a professional contract. The World Cup has catapulted him to a different level of exposure, appea...