Who is Deroy Duarte? Cabo Verde goalscorer vs Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32
(Courtesy : Getty)
The 27-year-old scored his first international goal against Lionel Messi and company!
The Cabo Verde national football team battled it out against the Argentina national football team in their round of 32 clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The entertaining clash took place at the Miami Stadium.
The Blue Sharks have shown some top-notch performances on their debut at the grandest stage of them all. They started their Cinderella run with a goalless draw against Spain. They secured draws against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia as well. They came up with an unbeaten streak in their group stage run.
Their first knockout stage fixture was against Argentina and it was no short of an entertaining battle. Lionel Messi gave his side a one-goal advantage in the first half, but Cabo Verde stood alive in the game after Deroy Duarte came up with an equaliser.
Deroy Duarte Profile
- Age: 27
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Club: PFC Ludogorets Razgrad
Deroy Duarte was born on July 4, 1999, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He is of Cape Verdean descent. At a young age, he joined the youth academy of Sparta Rotterdam and progressed through the ranks to develop into a central midfielder.
Even though he was born in the Netherlands, Deroy Duarte chose to represent Cabo Verde internationally. He made his senior debut in 2022 and since then has been an important aspect of the Blue Sharks. His calm and composed attitude in the midfield has been very useful for his side.
Duarte is now representing the Cape Verde national football team at the FIFA World Cup 2026. He has played a crucial role in the midfield for his side during their Cinderella run at the flagship competition this year. The 27-year-old has also scored his first-ever goal for the Blue Sharks. He fired the ball at the back of the net against the three-time world champions, Argentina, to equalise the scoreline.
As per his club career, from 2017 to 2021, he played for Sparta Rotterdam. He made over 100 appearances and this run at the Dutch club was crucial in developing his career.
In 2021, he signed with Fortuna Sittard on a three-year deal. Deroy Duarte further developed his style of play, where he gained experience in retaining possession. He dictated the tempo very well and stayed with the club till 2024.
He next joined the Bulgarian club PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in the same year and is a player for them at present. His consistent performances at the club level also helped him get a call-up for the World Cup.
Which club does Deroy Duarte play for?
He plays for a Bulgarian club, PFC Ludogorets Razgrad.
Where and how to watch FIFA World Cup live stream in India?
Fans will be able to watch all the matches live via the Zee5 app and website.
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Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.