E. Mendes

Elson Mendes made his Cape Verde debut in a 1–1 draw with Malaysia on 29 May 2025. He started the return match on 3 June, which Cape Verde won 3–0. Those were his first two senior caps, and he did not score in either. He also holds Portuguese citizenship.

His route to that point ran through French youth football. Mendes was at Stade de Reims from 2012 until 2020, then moved to Sedan, where he played for the under-17 and under-19 sides until 2023.

The move that shaped his early career came in July 2023, when he joined Sochaux. He began in the reserves in Championnat National 2, making 21 appearances and scoring three goals. From there he stepped up to the senior squad in the third tier, Championnat National, and played 49 matches for the first team, scoring twice. On 24 November 2024 he signed his first professional contract, running to June 2027.

Sochaux did not see that contract out. In June 2026 Mendes joined Kasımpaşa of the Turkish Süper Lig on a deal to June 2030. The fee was reported at about €900,000. It was his first move abroad from France, and he has been a regular starter in the 2026/27 season.