Sidny Lopes Cabral


Sidny Lopes Cabral is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Primeira Liga club Benfica. Born in the Netherlands, he plays for the Cape Verde national team.

Early life

As a youth player, Cabral joined the youth academy of Swedish side Helsingborg. He was regarded as a bright prospect whilst playing for the club's youth team.

Club career

In 2024, Cabral signed for German side Viktoria Köln. He was described as a key part of the club's newfound defensive stability.
In the summer of 2025, Cabral moved to Portugal, signing a three-year contract through to 2028 with Primeira Liga club Estrela da Amadora. Cabral became an offensive weapon for his new club in his debut season, registering 5 goals and providing 2 assists in the league, the highlight being a hat-trick scored in a game away at Casa Pia.
After impressing during the first half of the season with Estrela, on 30 December 2025, Cabral joined fellow Primeira Liga side Benfica, signing a contract until June 2030 for a reported fee of €6 million, which could rise to €8.5 million with add-ons. He made his debut on 4 January 2026, coming on as a substitute during the second half and assisting Vangelis Pavlidis for his hat-trick goal in a 3–1 league victory over Estoril Praia|Estoril] at the Estádio da Luz. On 25 January, Cabral scored his first goal for Benfica, the third in a 4–0 league victory over his former club Estrela da Amadora.

International career

Cabral is a Cape Verde international. He was first called up to the Cape Verde national team for a friendly against Comoros in 2023.
Cabral scored his first international goal on 29 May 2025 in a friendly against Malaysia at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium.

Style of play

Cabral mainly operates as a defender. He can operate as a left-back or right-back.

Personal life

Cabral was born in 2003 in the Netherlands. He is the younger brother of Cape Verde international Rodny Lopes Cabral.

Career statistics

Club

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
129 May 2025Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1–01–1Friendly
28 October 2025Tripoli Stadium, Tripoli, Libya2–33–32026 [FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group D|2026 FIFA World Cup qualification]