Who is Kevin Pina, Cape Verde’s first goalscorer in the World Cup?

Cape Verde has been making waves since the start of the 2026 World Cup. The Blue Sharks have made a strong impression by holding their own against two giants of world football. After Spain (0-0), they held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw and keep all their chances for qualification to the next round. Against La Celeste, Kevin Pina paved the way for his teammates with a goal that has definitely entered the history books.

Beginnings at Bairro Craveiro and journey in Portugal

Kevin Pina is a player who has come from very far. The Cape Verdean midfielder began his career on his home island at Bairro Craveiro. In 2017, the player left for Portugal after signing with Oliveirense. On January 13, 2018, he played his first match with his new club against Benfica B.

After that, Kevin Pina joined Anadia and Sertanense on loan. In July 2019, he signed for Chaves B on a free transfer. In this team, he climbed the ranks up to the first team, where he played 43 matches, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

A key player at FK Krasnodar

After a long journey in Portugal, Kevin Pina made the decision to head to Russia. The 29-year-old player signed with FK Krasnodar in September 2022. Since then, he has continued to play for this team, where he has become a true mainstay in midfield.

Wearing Krasnodar's colors, Pina has made 118 appearances in all competitions, scoring 8 goals and providing 2 assists. This season, he once again turned in strong performances with 40 matches, including 22 starts and 2 goals scored. These fine performances earned him a contract extension in July 2024 through June 2027. With his club, he won the Russian championship in 2025. It is so far the only trophy of his career.

A pillar of the Cape Verde national team

Kevin Pina, born in Praia, has been with the national team for 4 years and three months. The FK Krasnodar midfielder earned his first cap on March 25, 2022, against Liechtenstein during a friendly match. He played in his first major tournament with Cape Verde at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast. Scoring against Mozambique in the group stage, he played his part in his team's fantastic run, which ended in the quarterfinals, eliminated by South Africa on penalties. 

The 2026 World Cup is Kevin Pina's second major tournament with Cape Verde, since the team missed out on AFCON 2025 in Morocco. With the Blue Sharks, the player has been capped 33 times, scoring 4 goals and providing one assist. The 29-year-old midfielder will be a key player for his team in the final group match against Saudi Arabia. A victory would allow the team to qualify for the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup.