PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Willy Johnson Semedo Afonso |
| Date of Birth | 27/04/1994 (Age: 32) |
| Place of Birth | Bordeaux, France |
| Nationality | Cape Verdean / French |
| Height | 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 69-70 kg |
| Position | Winger / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #7 |
| Current Club | AC Omonia |
| Previous Clubs | Alki Oroklini, Charleroi, Roeselare (loan), Politehnica Iași, Grenoble, Pafos, Al-Faisaly |
| International Caps | 33-37 |
| International Goals | 3 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2026 |
| Market Value | €1.0M |
The Frozen Moment
July 4, 2026. Miami. Hard Rock Stadium. The FIFA World Cup Round of 32. Cape Verde, a nation of just over 500,000 people making its tournament debut, faced Argentina—the defending world champions led by Lionel Messi.
For Willy Semedo, the 32-year-old winger from Bordeaux, it was the culmination of a journey that had begun six years earlier, when he made his international debut in a friendly against Andorra. Now, he was on the biggest stage of all, facing the greatest player in football history.
The match was an epic. Cape Verde fell behind to a Messi strike but equalized through Deroy Duarte. After Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead in extra time, Sidny Lopes Cabral curled in a stunning equalizer. Semedo was on the pitch when the net rippled. “When he scored, it was a very important moment because we came back into the game, and of course we were sure we would be able to win it,” he would later recall.
The dream was finally extinguished when Diney Borges deflected the ball into his own net from a corner. The final whistle brought raw heartache. Yet even in defeat, there was pride.
“It was a mix of two sensations,” Semedo told Xinhua. “At one point we were disappointed because we were eliminated, and at the same time we were happy because we were so proud of what we did during the tournament.”
After the match, Semedo managed to exchange a few words with Lionel Messi—a personal moment of grace amid the heartbreak. “I talked to him after the game, said hello and took some pictures,” he said. “He took some pictures with us and was really kind. A nice moment.”
The boy from Bordeaux who had chosen to represent his father's homeland had gone toe-to-toe with the best in the world. And he had carried his nation's flag with pride.
Origins
Born on April 27, 1994, in Bordeaux, France, Willy Johnson Semedo Afonso grew up with Cape Verdean heritage through his parents. He began his football journey in France, playing for AC Boulogne-Billancourt U19 and Montrouge FC 92 U19 before embarking on a career that would take him across Europe and the Middle East.
His nickname and identity as a Cape Verdean international have made him a source of pride for the Atlantic archipelago nation. The decision to represent Cape Verde, rather than France, would define his international career.
The European and Cypriot Journey
Alki Oroklini (2014-2018):
Semedo’s first significant professional breakthrough came in Cyprus with Alki Oroklini. Over four seasons, he made 96 appearances and scored 28 goals. His performances caught the attention of Belgian club Charleroi.
Charleroi and Loans (2018-2019):
On January 31, 2018, Semedo signed with Charleroi in the Belgian First Division A. He made his debut on April 13, 2018, in a 2-2 draw with Genk. To gain more playing time, he was loaned to Roeselare in the Belgian First Division B on August 30, 2018. On February 1, 2019, he moved to Romanian side Politehnica Iași.
Grenoble (2019-2021):
In July 2019, Semedo signed for Ligue 2 club Grenoble on a two-year contract. Over 61 appearances, he scored 11 goals. The move marked the beginning of his most consistent goal-scoring period.
Pafos (2021-2023):
Semedo returned to Cyprus, joining Pafos FC on a free transfer. He totalled 20 goal contributions in 48 games, establishing himself as a reliable attacking presence in the Cypriot First Division.
Al-Faisaly (2023):
On January 28, 2023, Semedo signed for Saudi Arabian club Al-Faisaly. He made 13 appearances and scored 2 goals.
AC Omonia (2023-Present):
At the end of the 2022-23 season, Semedo returned to Cyprus, this time for 21-time domestic champions Omonia. The 2023-24 season was the most prolific of his career—he scored 14 goals and provided 7 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.
The 2025-26 season has been another standout campaign. In the Cypriot First Division, he made 28 appearances, starting 27 matches and accumulating 2,241 minutes. He scored 17 goals—including 10 away from home—and provided 5 assists. His per-90 statistics were exceptional: 0.68 goals (99th percentile), 0.20 assists (95th percentile), and an expected goals (xG) of 0.44 per 90 (99th percentile). His market value is estimated at €1.0 million.
The National Team Journey
Semedo made his Cape Verdean international debut on October 7, 2020, in a friendly 2-1 win over Andorra. He was playing in France at the time and described it as “a very good moment, the first step of my international career.”
Since then, he has become a regular fixture in the national team setup. He has earned between 33 and 37 caps, scoring 3 international goals. He has featured in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2022 and 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Cape Verde reach the quarter-finals—equalling the team’s best performance in the tournament.
His two goals in World Cup qualifying were crucial to Cape Verde’s historic qualification. On October 8, 2025, he scored in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Libya in Tripoli. Five days later, on October 13, 2025, he scored in a 3-0 victory over Eswatini in Praia, helping seal the nation’s first-ever World Cup berth. He also scored in a pre-tournament friendly against Bermuda.
The Anatomy of His Game
Willy Semedo is a versatile attacking player capable of operating as a left winger, forward, or in various attacking roles. At 185 cm, he combines physical presence with technical quality and goal-scoring instinct.
In Possession:
Semedo’s primary value lies in his goal-scoring output. His 17 goals in the 2025-26 Cypriot First Division season, with a per-90 average of 0.68, place him in the 99th percentile among attacking players. His expected goals (xG) of 0.44 per 90 also ranks in the 99th percentile, demonstrating his ability to consistently find high-quality scoring positions. He is a clinical finisher, scoring 8 penalties in the 2025-26 season across all competitions. His 20 goals across all competitions in 2025-26, with a minute-per-goal rate of 129, further underline his finishing ability.
Out of Possession:
Semedo’s contributions defensively have been less prominent compared to his attacking output. His career has been defined by offensive production rather than defensive work rate.
Psychological Edge:
Semedo’s journey from the French youth ranks to professional football across Europe, the Middle East, and Cyprus demonstrates remarkable adaptability. His bond with the Cape Verdean squad—”It’s been maybe five years I’m in the national team, and the last two or three years it has been almost the same squad”—has been a key factor in the team’s success. He described the team’s motivation at the World Cup: “We didn’t come here on holiday. We came to play the World Cup, to show ourselves and show that we are a small country but we have qualities.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Goals | Assists | Minutes | Min/Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cypriot First Division | 28 | 27 | 17 | 5 | 2,241 | 132 |
| Conference League | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 537 | — |
| All Competitions | 34 | 32 | 20 | 1 | 2,569 | 129 |
TABLE B: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | — | 0 | Round of 32 |
| World Cup Qualifying (2026) | — | 2 | Qualified |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2023 | — | — | Quarter-finals |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2021 | — | — | — |
| Friendlies | — | 1 | — |
| Cape Verde Senior Career | 33-37 | 3 | — |
TABLE C: Career Overview
| Season(s) | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2018 | Alki Oroklini | Cypriot First Division | 96 | 28 |
| 2018 | Charleroi | Belgian First Division A | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | Roeselare (loan) | Belgian First Division B | 11 | 0 |
| 2019 | Politehnica Iași | Liga I | 10 | 0 |
| 2019-2021 | Grenoble | Ligue 2 | 58 | 10 |
| 2021-2023 | Pafos | Cypriot First Division | 44 | 8 |
| 2023 | Al-Faisaly | Saudi Pro League | 13 | 2 |
| 2023-Present | AC Omonia | Cypriot First Division | 56+ | 16+ |
| TOTAL | — | — | 290+ | 64+ |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Senior Debut | Alki Oroklini |
| 2018 | Charleroi Transfer | Move to Belgian First Division A |
| 2019 | Grenoble Transfer | Ligue 2 club |
| 2020 | Cape Verde Debut | vs Andorra |
| 2021 | Africa Cup of Nations | First major tournament |
| 2023 | Omonia Transfer | Cypriot champions |
| 2024 | Player of the Year | Annual Best Footballer |
| 2025 | World Cup Qualifying Goals | Libya and Eswatini |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup |
These figures reveal a player of considerable experience and consistent goal-scoring ability. Semedo has accumulated over 290 professional appearances, scored over 64 goals, and earned 33-37 caps for Cape Verde. His 2025-26 season was one of the most productive of his career.
The Present Tense
The Omonia Story:
Willy Semedo is in his third season at AC Omonia, having joined the Cypriot champions in July 2023. The 2025-26 season has been his most productive in terms of goal output—17 league goals in 28 appearances. He has made 34 appearances across all competitions, scoring 20 goals.
His contract with Omonia runs until 2026. His market value is estimated at €1.0 million.
The World Cup Campaign:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico marked Semedo’s first appearance at the tournament—and Cape Verde’s historic debut. He was named in the squad as one of the forwards.
Cape Verde defied all expectations by emerging from a group containing Spain and Uruguay. Semedo played in the Round of 32 clash against Argentina, a match that ended in a 3-2 extra-time defeat. Cape Verde’s performance earned them a reputation as one of the tournament’s surprise packages. Semedo rated the team’s performance a “seven out of 10” given the odds stacked against them.
International Record:
Semedo has earned 33-37 caps for Cape Verde since his debut in 2020. He has scored 3 international goals, including two in World Cup qualifying. He was part of the squad that reached the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Willy Semedo is known for his leadership and the bond he has forged with his Cape Verdean teammates. “We know each other very well, and that’s why we can perform on the pitch,” he said.
His personal moment with Lionel Messi after the World Cup match is a cherished memory. “He took some pictures with us and was really kind. A nice moment.”
Semedo has signed with Li Ning, becoming the first football player to partner with the brand. His honours include the Cypriot First Division title with Omonia in the 2025-26 season. He was also named the Annual Best Footballer in 2024.
He is of Cape Verdean descent and was born in Bordeaux, France, holding dual citizenship. His full name is Willy Johnson Semedo Afonso.
The Verdict from the Camp
Willy Semedo, on Cape Verde's World Cup campaign:
“People were giving us only one percent chance to qualify, and we managed to make that bigger and get through… We came to play the World Cup, to show ourselves and show that we are a small country but we have qualities. When people say that, you just want to come on the pitch and prove them wrong. That’s what we did.”
Willy Semedo, on the Argentina match:
“It was a mix of two sensations. At one point we were disappointed because we were eliminated, and at the same time we were happy because we were so proud of what we did during the tournament.”
Statistic:
Semedo scored 17 goals in 28 Cypriot First Division appearances in the 2025-26 season, with 0.68 goals per 90 minutes (99th percentile).
Statistic:
Semedo has earned 33-37 caps for Cape Verde and scored 3 international goals.
Statistic:
Semedo scored two crucial goals in World Cup qualifying: against Libya and Eswatini, helping Cape Verde reach their first-ever World Cup.
Statistic:
Semedo was named the Annual Best Footballer in 2024 and won the Cypriot First Division title with Omonia in 2025-26.
Where Next?
Willy Semedo is 32 years old and at the peak of his career. His contract with Omonia expires in 2026, making him a potential free agent. His prolific 2025-26 season—17 goals in 28 appearances—has attracted attention.
A move to a more prominent European league could be possible following his standout domestic performances and World Cup experience. Alternatively, he could extend his stay in Cyprus, where he has established himself as one of the league’s most prolific forwards.
For Cape Verde, Semedo remains a key figure. As a senior international with World Cup experience, he will be central to the team’s ambitions in the next Africa Cup of Nations and beyond. His experience, goal-scoring ability, and leadership will be invaluable.
From the youth ranks of Bordeaux to the World Cup stage, from the Cypriot First Division to the Saudi Pro League, from a debut against Andorra to sharing a moment with Lionel Messi, Willy Semedo’s journey is one of persistence, adaptability, and quiet achievement. The boy from France who chose to represent his father’s homeland has become a national hero—and his legacy will be remembered for generations.
