PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Laros Michael D’Encarnação Duarte |
| Date of Birth | 28 February 1997 (Age: 29) |
| Place of Birth | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Cape Verdean (born in Netherlands to Cape Verdean parents) |
| Height | 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 67–76 kg |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #6 (Puskás Akadémia), #15 (Cape Verde) |
| Current Club | Puskás Akadémia FC |
| Previous Clubs | Jong PSV, Sparta Rotterdam, FC Groningen |
| International Caps | 23+ |
| International Goals | 1+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 30 June 2027 |
| Market Value | €1M |
The Frozen Moment
The World Cup in North America. For Laros Duarte, it was the culmination of a journey that had taken him from the streets of Rotterdam to the global stage. The 29-year-old midfielder, born in the Netherlands to Cape Verdean parents, was named in Cape Verde’s 26-man squad for their historic World Cup debut. It was a dream shared with his younger brother, Deroy—the two Duarte brothers from Spangen, Rotterdam, were going to a World Cup together.
Cape Verde stunned the football world in their opening match, holding European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw. They followed it with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay, with Laros coming off the bench in the 71st minute to join his brother on the pitch. “It actually feels a bit unreal. But at the same time also very normal, because we always used to play football together on the street and on the squares. Only now you’re doing it on the biggest stage,” Laros said.
The final group-stage match against Saudi Arabia was decisive. In the last minute, Laros was sent clear on goal for a chance to seal Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup win, but his shot was turned away by the Saudi goalkeeper. The 0-0 draw was enough to secure Cape Verde’s place in the knockout rounds.
In the Round of 16 against world champions Argentina, the brothers started together in midfield for the first time at the World Cup. Deroy scored Cape Verde’s first equaliser, and the Blue Sharks pushed Argentina to extra time before falling 3-2. “Je wil eigenlijk niet naar huis. Het is zo zuur, maar ook zo prachtig” (You don’t actually want to go home. It’s so bitter, but also so beautiful), Laros reflected.
Origins
Laros Michael D’Encarnação Duarte was born on 28 February 1997 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He and his younger brother Deroy were raised in the Spangen district of Rotterdam by their single mother, Maria da Cruz. Their father, Mario “Maica” Duarte, was a former footballer originally from São Nicolau in Cape Verde.
The family moved to Schiedam as the brothers grew older. Maria worked part-time while driving her sons to training at Sparta Rotterdam. “People ask how I managed it for all those years and I say: ‘it just becomes your life’. You see they have talent and as long as they enjoy it and want to keep going, you go with them,” she recalled.
Laros’ football journey began at age five when he joined Sparta Rotterdam’s youth system. He spent hours playing on the Mariaplein in Spangen, where he was considered the bigger talent in the youth teams—at one point, he was preferred over Frenkie de Jong in the Dutch youth national teams. He could have signed for Tottenham Hotspur as a child but chose PSV Eindhoven instead. He represented the Netherlands at youth levels from U16 through U20.
The Professional Forge
Jong PSV (2015-2019):
Duarte made his debut for Jong PSV in the Eerste Divisie in 2015. Over four seasons, he made 73 appearances and scored 2 goals. His time at PSV also included appearances for PSV U19 in the UEFA Youth League.
Sparta Rotterdam (2019-2021):
In January 2019, Duarte returned to his boyhood club Sparta Rotterdam on loan. The move was a homecoming that also reunited him with his brother Deroy in the first team. He made 16 appearances and scored 3 goals during the loan spell, contributing to Sparta’s promotion from the Eerste Divisie in 2019—a moment Laros described as “unforgettable.” The loan was made permanent, and he went on to make 37 league appearances for Sparta over the next two seasons.
FC Groningen (2021-2024):
On 31 August 2021, Duarte signed a four-year contract with FC Groningen. His most productive Eredivisie season came in 2021-22, when he made 27 appearances (26 starts), scoring 1 goal and providing 3 assists. He made a total of 76 league appearances for Groningen across three seasons.
Puskás Akadémia (2024-Present):
On 23 August 2024, Duarte joined Hungarian NB I side Puskás Akadémia on a three-year contract. In the 2024-25 season, he made 24 league appearances. In the 2025-26 season, he made 22 appearances, providing 3 assists. He also featured in the UEFA Europa Conference League, making 1 appearance.
International Career
Cape Verde Debut & Africa Cup of Nations:
Duarte was called up to the Cape Verde national team for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches in September 2023. He made his debut for the Blue Sharks in 2024 and went on to play four matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. As of the end of the 2026 World Cup, he has earned 23 caps and scored one international goal.
2026 World Cup Campaign:
On 18 May 2026, Duarte was named in Cape Verde’s 26-man squad for their historic World Cup debut. He appeared in all four of Cape Verde’s matches: against Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina, recording 4 appearances (2 starts) and 166 minutes of tournament football.
Against Uruguay, he came on as a substitute in the 71st minute, joining his brother Deroy on the pitch. “That’s beautiful. It’s a dream come true. You suddenly realize: I’m just standing with my brother at a World Cup,” Deroy said.
In the final group-stage match against Saudi Arabia, Laros was sent clear on goal in the last minute for a chance to seal Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup win, but his shot was saved.
In the Round of 16 against Argentina, both brothers started together in midfield. Laros came off in the 67th minute with the score at 1-1. Cape Verde pushed the world champions to extra time before falling 3-2. Duarte finished the tournament with a 6.44 average rating and an 87.8% pass completion rate.
The Anatomy of His Game
Duarte is a right-footed midfielder known for his composure, work rate, and versatility. He can operate as a defensive or central midfielder and is comfortable in possession.
In Possession:
Duarte is a composed passer who excels at recycling possession and distributing from deep areas. At the 2026 World Cup, he recorded a pass completion rate of 87.8%. His playing style is characterised by a preference for long passes and shots from distance, though his heading and interception abilities are considered weaknesses. In his Eredivisie career, he recorded 6 assists across 96 top-flight appearances.
Out of Possession:
Duarte is a disciplined midfielder who reads the game well and screens the defence. In the 2025-26 season at Puskás Akadémia, he made 22 appearances and received only 3 yellow cards, demonstrating his defensive discipline.
Psychological Edge:
Duarte’s journey is defined by his unbreakable bond with his brother and his resilience. The two brothers have supported each other throughout their careers, and their mother’s sacrifices were instrumental in their development. “We wished each other the best, more than ourselves,” Laros said of his brother. His World Cup experience, including the near-miss against Saudi Arabia and the heroics against Argentina, has demonstrated his composure on the biggest stage.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2026 World Cup Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Pass Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 4 | 2 | 166 | 0 | 0 | 87.8% |
TABLE B: 2025/26 Season Snapshot (Puskás Akadémia)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NB I | 22 | — | — | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| UEFA Europa Conference League | 1 | 1 | 74 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
TABLE C: Career (League Only)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jong PSV | 2015-2019 | 73 | 2 |
| Sparta Rotterdam (loan) | 2019 | 16 | 3 |
| Sparta Rotterdam | 2019-2021 | 37 | 2 |
| FC Groningen | 2021-2024 | 76 | 8 |
| Puskás Akadémia | 2024-Present | 46+ | 0+ |
| TOTAL | — | 248+ | 12+ |
TABLE D: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 4 | 0 | Round of 16 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | 4 | 0 | — |
| Senior Career | 23+ | 1+ | — |
What these figures reveal is a player who has accumulated significant experience across the Netherlands and Hungary. His 248+ club appearances reflect a career of steady progression, while his 23 caps for Cape Verde and his World Cup campaign demonstrate his importance to the national team. His 4 appearances at the World Cup, including 2 starts, show a player who contributed to a historic tournament for the Blue Sharks.
The Present Tense
Laros Duarte is 29 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a midfielder for Puskás Akadémia in Hungary’s NB I and a World Cup squad member for Cape Verde.
The Puskás Akadémia Story:
Duarte joined Puskás Akadémia in August 2024 on a three-year contract. In the 2025-26 season, he made 22 league appearances, providing 3 assists. He also made his UEFA Europa Conference League debut for the club, playing 74 minutes. His contract runs until 30 June 2027.
The World Cup Campaign:
Duarte was a key member of Cape Verde’s historic 2026 World Cup campaign. He appeared in all four of the Blue Sharks’ matches, starting two. He helped Cape Verde draw 0-0 with Spain, 2-2 with Uruguay, and 0-0 with Saudi Arabia to reach the knockout rounds—the smallest nation ever to achieve that feat. In the Round of 16, he started against Argentina alongside his brother Deroy, as Cape Verde pushed the world champions to extra time before losing 3-2. His World Cup experience included a near-miss against Saudi Arabia in the final minute of the group-stage decider.
International Record:
Duarte has earned 23 caps for Cape Verde since his debut in 2024. He has scored 1 international goal. He has represented Cape Verde at the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Duarte’s story is defined by family and heritage. He and his brother Deroy were raised in Rotterdam by their single mother, Maria da Cruz, who worked part-time to support their football ambitions. Their father, Mario “Maica” Duarte, was a former footballer from Cape Verde.
The brothers’ bond is central to their story. They grew up playing together on the streets of Spangen and later in the Sparta Rotterdam youth system. “As if it had to be that way. Back to the nest and, moreover, with my little brother. That’s why that promotion in 2019 is unforgettable,” Laros said of their time together at Sparta. At the World Cup, their mother travelled to the United States to watch them play, flying home before the knockout stage due to work commitments but making a second trip for the Argentina match.
Duarte also has a connection to education—he studied at Hefei University of Technology in China, completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He is also known for his commitment to his faith, being one of the Muslim players in the Cape Verde squad.
The Verdict from the Camp
Laros Duarte:
“Je wil eigenlijk niet naar huis. Het is zo zuur, maar ook zo prachtig” (You don’t actually want to go home. It’s so bitter, but also so beautiful).
“It actually feels a bit unreal. But at the same time also very normal, because we always used to play football together on the street and on the squares. Only now you’re doing it on the biggest stage. That makes it very special. This is truly a boyhood dream.”
Deroy Duarte, Brother and Cape Verde Teammate:
“It’s a dream come true. You suddenly realize: I’m just standing with my brother at a World Cup.”
Maria da Cruz, Mother:
“You see they have talent and as long as they enjoy it and want to keep going, you go with them because all you can do as parents is support them and take them where they need to be.”
Where Next?
Laros Duarte is 29 years old and under contract with Puskás Akadémia until June 2027. His World Cup experience has elevated his profile significantly. His market value is estimated at €1 million. He is expected to continue as a key player for Puskás Akadémia in Hungary’s NB I.
For Cape Verde, Duarte remains an important figure in midfield. With 23 caps and a World Cup campaign under his belt, he is one of the most experienced players in the squad. His partnership with his brother Deroy is likely to remain a feature of the national team setup for years to come.
From Rotterdam to Eindhoven, from Sparta to Groningen, from Puskás Akadémia to the World Cup, Laros Duarte’s journey is a story of family, determination, and heritage. The boy from Spangen who dreamed of the World Cup with his brother is now a history-maker—and a symbol of Cape Verdean football’s extraordinary rise.
