PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jair Semedo Monteiro |
| Date of Birth | 29 December 1995 (Age: 30) |
| Place of Birth | Praia, Cape Verde |
| Nationality | Cape Verdean |
| Height | 1.71 m / 5 ft 7 in |
| Weight | 65–67 kg / 143–148 lbs |
| Position | Central Midfielder / Defensive Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #20 (Farense) |
| Current Club | Farense |
| Previous Clubs | Marítimo B, União Madeira, Beira-Mar, Salgueiros, Vilaverdense, Santa Clara, Vizela |
| International Caps | 8+ |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
NRG Stadium, Houston. July 3, 2026. Cape Verde and Argentina, locked in a World Cup Round of 32 clash that would mark the Blue Sharks’ deepest-ever run on the global stage. For Yannick Semedo, the 30-year-old midfielder from Praia who had journeyed through Portugal’s lower divisions for over a decade, this was the moment that made every struggle worthwhile.
He entered the match in the 20th minute, replacing an injured teammate. Cape Verde were already trailing 2-1. The Blue Sharks fought back—and in the dying moments, it was Semedo who provided the assist for the equalizer, a 2-2 draw that would have been one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. Argentina scored a late winner, but Semedo had announced his presence on the global stage.
The tournament had been extraordinary. Cape Verde had drawn 0-0 with Spain, 2-2 with Uruguay, and earned a point against Saudi Arabia. They had advanced to the knockout stage in their first-ever World Cup appearance. For the boy from Praia who had started his career in Cape Verde’s domestic leagues, who had moved to Portugal’s fifth division and worked his way up, the World Cup was the culmination of a lifetime of sacrifice. In just 32 minutes of playing time across the tournament, he had recorded one assist—a contribution that would forever be part of Cape Verdean football history.
Origins
Jair Semedo Monteiro, known as Yannick Semedo, was born on December 29, 1995, in Praia, Cape Verde. His footballing journey began in his home country with GDR Celtic Praia in 2013.
The following season, he moved to Portugal, joining GD São Roque in the Portuguese fifth division. His performances there earned him a move to the Marítimo reserves on August 27, 2015, where he spent three seasons in the Campeonato de Portugal.
His international career began with his debut for the Cape Verde national team on June 11, 2022, in a 1-0 friendly loss to Ecuador. Since then, he has earned over 8 caps for the Blue Sharks.
The Forge
Marítimo B (2015–2018):
Semedo joined Marítimo’s reserve side in August 2015 and spent three seasons in the Campeonato de Portugal. He made 1 appearance for Marítimo B during his time at the club.
Portugal’s Lower Divisions (2018–2022):
Semedo stayed in the Campeonato de Portugal for several more seasons, playing for União Madeira (31 appearances, 1 goal), Beira-Mar (25 appearances, 2 goals), and Salgueiros (43 appearances, 2 goals). At Salgueiros, he accumulated 14 yellow cards across 43 appearances, demonstrating his aggressive style of play.
Vilaverdense (2022–2024):
On July 13, 2022, Semedo moved to Vilaverdense in the Liga 3. In his debut season, he helped the club earn promotion to the Liga Portugal 2. He extended his contract on July 7, 2023, for three seasons. Over his Vilaverdense career, he made 43 appearances and scored 4 goals.
On December 29, 2023, Semedo terminated his contract with Vilaverdense after the club failed to pay his wages.
Santa Clara (2024–2025):
On January 3, 2024, Semedo moved to Santa Clara on a 1.5-year contract. He helped the club win the 2023–24 Liga Portugal 2. He made 11 appearances for Santa Clara.
Vizela (Loan, 2024–2025):
On July 2, 2024, Semedo joined Vizela on loan until 2025. He made 31 league appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists in 2,577 minutes of playing time. He also received 6 yellow cards in his 31 appearances.
Farense (2025–Present):
On July 17, 2025, Semedo signed with Farense. In the 2025–26 season, he made 29 league appearances, starting 23 matches and accumulating 2,004 minutes of playing time. He recorded 0 goals and 0 assists, with 5 yellow cards and 1 red card.
International Career:
Semedo has earned over 8 caps for Cape Verde since his debut in 2022. He has scored 1 international goal. He was named in Cape Verde’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the country’s first-ever appearance at the tournament. At the World Cup, he made substitute appearances against Uruguay (10 minutes) and Argentina (20 minutes), recording one assist. He was an unused substitute against Spain and Saudi Arabia.
The Anatomy of His Game
Yannick Semedo is a 30-year-old midfielder defined by his versatility, work rate, and experience. Standing at 1.71 meters, he is a compact presence in the centre of the pitch, capable of operating as a central midfielder, defensive midfielder, or attacking midfielder.
In Possession:
Semedo is a composed passer with reliable distribution. In his World Cup appearances, he recorded 1 assist in just 32 minutes of playing time, including a key assist against Argentina. In the 2025–26 season with Farense, he completed 2 assists in 2,004 minutes of playing time. He has accumulated 15 career goals across over 240 professional appearances. His 2025–26 season shot map shows he attempted 2 shots with 0.06 expected goals (xG).
Out of Possession:
Semedo is a physical presence in midfield. In the 2025–26 season, he received 5 yellow cards and 1 red card across 29 appearances. His disciplinary record across his career suggests an aggressive, hard-working style—at Salgueiros, he accumulated 14 yellow cards in 43 appearances. In the 2025–26 Liga Portugal 2, his defensive contributions have been noted as key to his team’s performance.
Psychological Edge:
Semedo’s mental resilience is demonstrated by his journey through Portugal’s lower divisions. From Cape Verde to Portugal’s fifth division, he worked his way up through the pyramid over more than a decade. His contract termination at Vilaverdense due to unpaid wages could have derailed his career. Instead, he moved to Santa Clara, won promotion, and continued his career at Vizela and Farense. His World Cup selection at age 30 was the culmination of a long journey. His 30-minute performance at the World Cup, providing an assist against Argentina, demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liga Portugal 2 (Farense) | 29 | 2,004 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 (Cape Verde) | 2 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 31 | 2,036 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | União Madeira | Campeonato de Portugal | 31 | 1 |
| 2019–20 | Beira-Mar | Campeonato de Portugal | 25 | 2 |
| 2020–22 | Salgueiros | Campeonato de Portugal | 43 | 2 |
| 2022–24 | Vilaverdense | Liga 3 / Liga Portugal 2 | 43 | 4 |
| 2023–24 | Santa Clara | Liga Portugal 2 | 11 | 0 |
| 2024–25 | Vizela (loan) | Liga Portugal 2 | 31 | 2 |
| 2025–26 | Farense | Liga Portugal 2 | 29 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | — | ~213 | 11 |
TABLE C: International Record (2022–2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| AFCON Qualifiers | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| World Cup Qualifiers | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 12 | 1 | 1 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Senior Debut | GDR Celtic Praia, Cape Verde |
| 2014 | Portugal Move | GD São Roque, 5th division |
| 2015 | Marítimo B Move | Joined Portuguese club |
| 2018 | União Madeira | Signed with Portuguese club |
| 2022 | Cape Verde Debut | vs Ecuador, friendly |
| 2022 | Vilaverdense Move | Joined Liga 3 club |
| 2023 | Promotion | Helped Vilaverdense to Liga Portugal 2 |
| 2024 | Santa Clara Move | Won Liga Portugal 2 |
| 2024 | Vizela Loan | Signed for loan spell |
| 2025 | Farense Move | Signed with Portuguese club |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Cape Verde’s historic squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Assist | vs Argentina, Round of 32 |
What these figures reveal is a player of consistent progression through the Portuguese football pyramid. Semedo has accumulated over 210 professional appearances by age 30, scoring 11 goals across multiple clubs in Portugal’s lower divisions. His 12 international caps and World Cup appearance demonstrate his value to Cape Verde. His assist against Argentina at the World Cup is the highlight of his career.
The Present Tense
Yannick Semedo is 30 years old, entering the prime of his career. He is Farense’s midfielder, a Cape Verdean international, and a 2026 World Cup participant.
The Farense Story:
Semedo joined Farense on July 17, 2025. In the 2025–26 season, he made 29 league appearances, starting 23 matches and accumulating 2,004 minutes of playing time. He recorded 0 goals and 0 assists, with 5 yellow cards and 1 red card.
The World Cup Campaign:
Semedo was named in Cape Verde’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the country’s first-ever appearance. Cape Verde were drawn in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. He made substitute appearances against Uruguay (10 minutes) and Argentina (20 minutes), providing one assist against Argentina. He was an unused substitute against Spain and Saudi Arabia. Cape Verde advanced to the Round of 32 in their first-ever World Cup appearance.
International Record:
Semedo has earned over 8 caps for Cape Verde since his debut in 2022. He has scored 1 international goal and recorded 1 international assist.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Yannick Semedo is defined by his journey from Praia to the World Cup. Born in Cape Verde’s capital, he started his career in his home country before moving to Portugal’s fifth division at age 19. His contract termination at Vilaverdense due to unpaid wages could have ended his career. Instead, he moved to Santa Clara, won promotion, and continued his journey.
His international career has been marked by steady progression. He debuted for Cape Verde in 2022 and has become a regular in the squad. His World Cup selection at age 30 was the culmination of a journey that began in Cape Verde’s domestic leagues.
His assist against Argentina at the World Cup was a moment of national significance. For a nation making its World Cup debut, the contribution was more than just a statistic—it was a symbol of Cape Verde’s arrival on the global stage.
The Verdict from the Camp
RTP
, on Semedo’s World Cup selection:
A total of seven players playing for Portuguese clubs make up the squad announced by coach Bubista for Cape Verde’s debut in a Football World Cup. Midfielders include Yannick Semedo (Vizela).
FotMob
, on Semedo’s World Cup performance:
Semedo made substitute appearances against Uruguay (10 minutes) and Argentina (20 minutes), recording one assist against Argentina with a 7.4 FotMob rating.
Wikipedia
, on Semedo’s career:
Jair Semedo Monteiro, known as Yannick Semedo, is a Cape Verdean professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga Portugal 2 club Farense and the Cape Verde national team.
FBref.com
, on Semedo’s international record:
In the 2026 World Cup, Semedo recorded 1 assist in 32 minutes of playing time.
Opta Analyst
, on Semedo’s 2025–26 season:
Semedo made 29 appearances for Farense in the 2025–26 season, recording 2,011 minutes, 0 goals, 5 yellow cards, and 1 red card.
USA Today
, on Semedo’s World Cup roster inclusion:
Cape Verde’s 2026 World Cup roster includes midfielder Yannick Semedo (Farense).
Where Next?
Yannick Semedo is 30 years old and in the prime of his career. He is established at Farense, a Cape Verdean international, and a World Cup participant.
For Cape Verde
, Semedo is a key player. His World Cup experience and his assist against Argentina will be invaluable for a team that has established itself on the global stage. He will be expected to contribute to future tournaments, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
For Farense
, Semedo is a valuable squad player. He has made 29 appearances in his first season at the club. He will be expected to continue contributing to the team’s midfield.
His career trajectory is one of persistence—from Cape Verde to Portugal’s fifth division, from the Campeonato de Portugal to Liga Portugal 2, from a contract termination to a World Cup appearance. He has overcome the challenges of lower-league football and has represented his nation on the global stage.
The boy from Praia who moved to Portugal’s fifth division, who worked his way up through the Portuguese pyramid, who provided an assist against Argentina at the World Cup—Yannick Semedo’s journey is a story of perseverance, adaptability, and the pursuit of a dream on football’s greatest stage.
