Stopira

Ianique dos Santos Tavares (Portuguese: [ja.ˈni.kɨ duʃ ˈsɐ̃.tuʃ ta.ˈva.ɾɨʃ]; born 20 May 1988), commonly known as Stopira (Kabuverdianu: [sto.ˈpi.ɾɐ]), is a Cape Verdean professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Liga Portugal 2 club Torreense and the Cape Verde national team. He spent most of his career in Hungary with Fehérvár, having signed for the club in 2012.

Club career Stopira was born in Praia. In 2008, he signed for Portugal's Santa Clara from local side Sporting da Praia, playing just six matches in his first season but being first choice in the following as the Azores team competed in the Segunda Liga. On 10 July 2010, after a thwarted transfer to Primeira Liga club Vitória de Guimarães, Stopira signed a four-year contract with Deportivo de La Coruña in Spain, with 75% of his right being owned by IberSports. He spent his only season, however, with the reserves in the Segunda División B. Stopira joined newly promoted Feirense ahead of the 2011–12 campaign, on a one-year deal. He made his debut in the Portuguese top flight on 20 August 2011, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–1 away loss against Benfica. In summer 2012, Stopira moved to Fehérvár in Hungary. He remained there for 11 years, notably winning the 2014–15 and 2017–18 editions of the Nemzeti Bajnokság I. Stopira returned to Portugal on 27 July 2024, with the 36-year-old agreeing to a deal at second-tier Torreense. He scored twice in eight games as the club won the 2025–26 Taça de Portugal for the first major trophy in its 109-year history, from penalties; the first goal was in the second leg of the semi-finals against Fafe (2–0 win, 3–1 on aggregate), and the second in the decisive match to help defeat holders Sporting CP 2–1.

International career Stopira received his first call-up to the Cape Verde national team in May 2008, for a friendly with Luxembourg and a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Cameroon. He was an unused substitute in the first two qualifying matches, and made his competitive debut against Mauritius on 22 June of that year, replacing Nando in the dying minutes. On 24 May 2010, Stopira appeared in a friendly in Covilhã with Portugal – who were preparing for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa – playing the entire match as the minnows (ranked 117th) managed a 0–0 draw. He also won the 2009 Lusofonia Games with the under-21 team. In May 2026, Stopira was named in Cape Verde's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad for that year's World Cup, in their first-ever participation in the tournament.

Personal life Stopira received his nickname in honour of former French international Yannick Stopyra. In December 2019, he acquired Hungarian citizenship via naturalization.

Cape Verde score listed first, score column indicates score after each Stopira goal.