Willy Semedo

Willy Johnson Semedo Afonso ( ; born 27 April 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger. Born in France, he plays for the Cape Verde national team. His club team is UAE side United FC.

Club career On 31 January 2018, Semedo signed with Charleroi after a successful spell with the Cypriot club Alki Oroklini. He made his debut for the Belgium club in a 2–2 Belgian First Division A draw with K.R.C. Genk, on 13 April 2018.

On 30 August 2018, Semedo was loaned to Belgian First Division B club Roeselare, for half a season, in order for him to get more playing time. On 1 February 2019, he moved to Liga I side Politehnica Iași. Semedo subsequently signed a six-month contract with the Romanian club.

In July 2019, Semedo signed for Ligue 2 club Grenoble on a two-year contract, where he scored 11 goals in 61 total appearances. He then moved to Cypriot club Pafos FC on a free transfer, where he totalled 20 goal contributions in 48 games.

On 28 January 2023, Semedo signed for Saudi Arabian club Al-Faisaly, however, at the end of the season he returned to Cyprus, this time for 21-time domestic champions Omonia. He made his international debut in a friendly 2–1 win over Andorra on 7 October 2020.

Since then, Semedo has featured for Cape Verde in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2022 and 2026 World Cup qualifiers, as well as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Cape Verde reach the quarter-finals, equalling the team's best performance in the tournament.

On 18 May 2026, he was called up by Cape Verde's head coach Bubista for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Cape Verde's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Semedo goal.

+ List of international goals scored by Willy Semedo No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 8 October 2025 Tripoli Stadium, Tripoli, Libya 3–3 3–3 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 2 13 October 2025 Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia, Cape Verde 2–0 3–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 3 6 June 2026 Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, United States 1–0 3–0 Friendly

Honours Omonia Cypriot First Division: 2025–26