PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Wagner Fabrício Cardoso de Pina |
| Date of Birth | 3 November 2002 (Age: 23) |
| Place of Birth | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Nationality | Cape Verdean (also holds Portuguese citizenship) |
| Height | 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Position | Right-Back / Centre-Back / Right Wing-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #20 (Trabzonspor), #20 (Cape Verde) |
| Current Club | Trabzonspor |
| Previous Clubs | Estoril, Belenenses, CD Gouveia |
| International Caps | 15+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 30 June 2029 |
| Market Value | €9.4M (peak), €3M (transfer fee) |
The Frozen Moment
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. June 15, 2026. For Cape Verde—an archipelago of just half a million people—it was the biggest day in the nation’s sporting history. The Blue Sharks were walking onto the pitch for their first-ever FIFA World Cup match against Spain, the world’s second-ranked team.
Wagner Pina, the 23-year-old right-back born in Lisbon to Cape Verdean parents, took his place in the starting lineup. His journey from the lower reaches of Portuguese football to the Süper Lig in just four years had brought him to this moment. Cape Verde were chasing a fairy-tale result.
The 0-0 draw against Spain was a statement. Cape Verde followed it with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay, setting up a decisive group-stage finale against Saudi Arabia. On 27 June 2026, Pina made his World Cup debut, starting the 0-0 draw that secured Cape Verde’s place in the knockout rounds. The smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup had reached the Round of 16.
“For Cabo Verde, it means more than just going to the World Cup,” Pina said before the tournament. “Maybe along with Independence Day, it’s the best day in the country’s history.”
Origins
Wagner Fabrício Cardoso de Pina was born on 3 November 2002 in Lisbon, Portugal, to Cape Verdean parents. He holds dual Cape Verdean and Portuguese nationality. His brother Mauricio remains an important part of his support network, with the family maintaining strong connections to Cape Verdean culture—cooking traditional food and listening to Cape Verdean music wherever Wagner plays.
Pina’s football journey began in the lower reaches of Portuguese football. He worked his way through SG Sacavenense’s youth ranks before progressing through CD Tondela, CD Gouveia, and Belenenses in Liga 3. In 2023, he earned a move to Primeira Liga side Estoril.
The Professional Forge
Estoril (2023-2025):
Pina made his Primeira Liga debut in October 2023 and established himself as Estoril’s starting right-back. Over two seasons in Portugal’s top flight, he made 52 league appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists. The 2024-25 season was his breakthrough—he made 30 appearances, starting 28, and recorded 2 goals and 4 assists.
Trabzonspor (2025-Present):
On 1 July 2025, Pina signed for Turkish Süper Lig side Trabzonspor for a reported fee of €3 million, inking a four-year contract through June 2029. His market value rose to a peak of €9.4 million in July 2026. In the 2025-26 season, he made 31 Süper Lig appearances (28 starts), playing 2,439 minutes, and recorded 7 assists—the most creative output of his career. He also won the Turkish Cup with Trabzonspor in 2026. In the first match of the 2026-27 season, he started at right-back in a 1-1 draw against Kasımpaşa, playing 90 minutes.
International Career:
Pina made his senior debut for Cape Verde on 21 March 2024 in a 1-0 friendly victory over Guyana. He has earned 15 caps for the Blue Sharks. In World Cup qualifying, he started and played 90 minutes in victories over Mauritius and Angola. On 18 May 2026, he was named in Cape Verde’s 26-man squad for their historic World Cup debut. He played 89 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia, completing 27 passes at a 73% success rate, winning 5 duels and recording 3 fouls won.
The Anatomy of His Game
Pina is a right-footed defender defined by his versatility and attacking output from the full-back position. He is primarily a right-back but can also play as a centre-back or right wing-back.
In Possession:
Pina’s seven assists in the 2025-26 Süper Lig season—averaging 0.26 assists per 90 minutes—demonstrate his creative quality. In the 2024-25 Primeira Liga season, he contributed four assists. His ability to support attacking transitions makes him an asset in wide areas.
Out of Possession:
Pina is a reliable defender. In his 89-minute World Cup appearance, he recorded 3 clearances, 1 interception, and won 1 aerial duel. His stats across the Süper Lig season show a player who contributes defensively while offering a significant attacking threat—in the match against Konyaspor, he earned an 8.0 rating with one assist.
Psychological Edge:
Pina’s journey from the lower divisions of Portuguese football to the Süper Lig and the World Cup demonstrates resilience. He has been described as a leader for Cape Verde, and his brother’s presence in his support network has kept him grounded. For the World Cup, his attitude was clear: “We have to do something special. It can’t be just another game.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2025/26 Season Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Süper Lig | 31 | 28 | 2,439 | 0 | 7 | 7.15 | 4 |
| Turkish Cup | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 1 | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup | 1 | 1 | 89 | 0 | 0 | 7.4 | 1 |
TABLE B: Career (League Only)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estoril | 2023-2025 | 52 | 2 | 4 |
| Trabzonspor | 2025-Present | 31 | 0 | 7 |
| TOTAL | — | 83 | 2 | 11 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Cup Qualifying | 5+ | 0 | — |
| AFCON Qualifying | 4+ | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | Round of 16 |
| Senior Career | 15+ | 0 | — |
TABLE D: Career Achievements
| Honour | Details |
|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup Debut | 2026 vs Saudi Arabia |
| Turkish Cup Winner | 2025/26 |
| Transfer to Trabzonspor | €3M (2025) |
| Market Value Peak | €9.4M (2026) |
What these figures reveal is a player who has progressed rapidly, rising from the Portuguese lower leagues to the Süper Lig and the World Cup in just four years. His seven assists in the 2025-26 season demonstrate his creative quality from right-back, while his 83 league appearances at age 23 reflect a career of steady progression. His market value of €9.4M is a testament to his potential.
The Present Tense
Wagner Pina is 23 years old and at a defining stage of his career. He is a right-back for Trabzonspor in the Turkish Süper Lig and a World Cup player for Cape Verde.
The Trabzonspor Story:
Pina joined Trabzonspor in July 2025 for €3 million and has established himself as a key player. In the 2025-26 season, he made 31 appearances, recording seven assists. He won the Turkish Cup with the club. His contract runs until 2029.
The World Cup Campaign:
Pina was named in Cape Verde’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made his tournament debut against Saudi Arabia on 27 June 2026, playing 89 minutes in a 0-0 draw that secured Cape Verde’s passage to the knockout rounds. He was an unused substitute in the matches against Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina. Cape Verde reached the Round of 16—the smallest nation ever to achieve that feat.
International Record:
Pina has earned 15 caps for Cape Verde since his debut in March 2024. He has represented Cape Verde in World Cup qualifying and Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Pina is defined by his journey from Lisbon to the World Cup and his deep connection to Cape Verdean heritage. Born in Portugal to Cape Verdean parents, he made the decision to represent his ancestral homeland.
His brother Mauricio has been a constant presence in his life, with the family maintaining Cape Verdean traditions wherever Wagner goes. “Usually the family comes here. We like to cook Cape Verdean food, we listen to Cape Verdean music. I think it’s good for him,” Mauricio said.
Ahead of the World Cup, Pina spoke passionately about what it meant for Cape Verde. “We have to do something special,” he said. “It can’t be just another game.” Against Spain, the world’s second-ranked team, Cape Verde delivered exactly that—a historic result that announced the Blue Sharks on the global stage.
The Verdict from the Camp
Wagner Pina:
“For Cabo Verde, it means more than just going to the World Cup. Maybe along with Independence Day, it’s the best day in the country’s history.”
“We have to do something special. It can’t be just another game.”
Where Next?
Wagner Pina is 23 years old and under contract with Trabzonspor until 2029. His market value has risen to a peak of €9.4 million, and his performances in the Süper Lig have elevated his profile significantly. A strong World Cup campaign could attract interest from bigger clubs in Europe.
For Cape Verde, Pina represents the future. At 23, he has already helped his country reach the World Cup knockout rounds and is expected to be a key figure for the Blue Sharks for years to come.
From Lisbon’s lower leagues to the Süper Lig, from Estoril to Trabzonspor, and from a World Cup debut to the knockout rounds, Wagner Pina’s journey is a story of ambition, heritage, and extraordinary achievement. The boy born in Portugal who chose to represent his parents’ homeland is now a World Cup player—and one of Cape Verde’s brightest young talents.
