What Cape Verde's World Cup Performance Teaches Us About Taking Our Dreams Seriously
Photo by Karen Santos
I am by no means a sports person. Other than my Duke days, when it was essentially a social requirement to become obsessed with college basketball in homage to the school’s reputation, I quickly zone out or walk out of a room if an athletic event is on TV. The only exceptions are the Olympics and the World Cup. When the globe gathers to compete, you’ll find me glued to the screen.
For me, this year’s World Cup is less about faithfulness to a specific team. I’m more invested in the plot, the drama and the potential for colossal upsets. Athletics seems like one of the last professional realms that doesn’t tolerate a masquerade. When it’s time to play, you either have the skill, stamina and agility or you don’t. We all can see plainly if, off the field, you have or have not been putting in the work in order to excel. No team has illustrated this point more and, captured my heart in the process, than Cape Verde via their stunning performance against the reigning tournament champions Argentina.
Off the coast of western Africa, Cape Verde is a tiny island nation (slightly smaller than the state of Delaware and 60 times smaller than the U.K.) of about half a million people. As they were participating in the World Cup for the first time, many people were surprised that they advanced beyond the first round. When it was announced they’d be playing the powerhouse Argentina, folks shrugged their shoulders and wrote them off, assuming that the latter would easily dominate. I assumed the same thing, and I originally wasn’t even going to watch the game.
Shattering expectations though, with an indomitable spirit Cape Verde deftly confronted the mighty Argentina for 120 minutes matching almost every goal and driving the game’s intensity. It wasn’t until the very last minutes of overtime that Argentina took the final lead, but, even then, Cape Verde fought until the last second.
It moves me to see people moved by their dreams. It moves me to see people who take their prowess seriously, even when others count them out.
It moves me to see people moved by their dreams. It moves me to see people who take their prowess seriously, even when others count them out. Cape Verde, a team from a small island that many people had never heard of, went toe to toe against Lionel Messi (regarded as one of the best in the game), the reigning World Cup champions and a team that is a well established juggernaut with a ferocious fan base. When they stepped onto the field, folks expected them to cower and capitulate; however, instead of letting people tell them what they could and couldn’t do, Cape Verde showed up in full force and form and set the game’s pace.
They didn’t let anyone tell them who they were; they showed them who they are. They showed up with craft and heart, and they weren’t afraid for the world to see the depth of their passion. The public largely underestimated them, but they stepped onto the global stage confidently because they knew the work they’d been doing behind the scenes. They knew they were ready for this moment.
No disrespect to Argentina or the other football powerhouses, as they’ve more than earned their accolades, but sometimes visibility is overrated. A reputation and being known doesn’t necessarily equate to excellence in craft. Considering fields outside of sports, so many visions and dreams remain anemic because people are obsessed with visibility, metrics and external validation instead of craft, presence and practice–wholehearted devotion. Devotion is not something you can drum up in the moment of being tested. It is forged away from the pitch, the arena, the stage and the public.
Devotion is not something you can drum up in the moment of being tested. It is forged away from the pitch, the arena, the stage and the public.
Devotion is what made Cape Verde capable of holding their own against Goliath when the time came. You can profess your dreams all you want, but the hidden work that the world doesn’t see is how you demonstrate that you actually take them seriously. Some of you have admitted defeat without even really trying, resigned to scraping by and surviving. What if, instead, you took your dreams seriously? Took your prowess, brilliance, intelligence and creativity seriously?
Some of you have let others tell you who you are, passing it off as humility. It’s not humility, however, to hide your gifts and let them go underdeveloped, when you know you’re capable of much, much more. I’m taking a cue and inspiration from Cape Verde, and I invite you to do the same: don’t let anyone tell you who you are; show them who you are.
For Reflection
If you took your dreams seriously, what would you stop ruminating and talking about? What habit or practice would you put into place to cultivate them and your capacity to pursue them?
If you feel led to share your thoughts, I’d love to hear them in the comments or via DM. As always, I’m wishing you hope, courage and imagination as you reflect.
An Invitation
If this reflection resonates, I invite you to book a Threshold Session. A 90-minute coaching session that combines insightful questions and mind-body connection to move you beyond overthinking into action at your life or career crossroads.
If you’re looking for something different:
Returning With Intention Workshop — a contemplative career break re-entry workshop for people navigating the end of their career break or sabbatical.
Chrysalis Contemplative — a three-month coaching journey for creative, curious leaders ready to deeply redesign how they live and work.