From Praia, Paris or Lisbon; but also from Atlanta or New York. It doesn’t matter where they come from, the kilometers or the effort they had to make to get here. The important thing for them, the Cape Verde fans, is to be there. Because a century of waiting is much longer than a 12-hour plane trip. And experiencing your team’s World Cup debut is priceless..
“I like the Spanish team, I have a lot of respect, but we are going to win 3-1”one of the fans assured MARCA in the hours before the match. They were ecstatic. Much more than the Spanish. That’s what’s new, the first times. The nerves, the tickling… That emotion is uncontrollable and the Cape Verdeans transmitted it like no one else.
The writer did not understand why the World Cup would go to 48 teams, but 120 minutes before the start were enough for me. Spain-Cape Verde to change your mind. It is very good that Brazil, Argentina, Germany or Spain are always favorites, or that the absence of Italy becomes a national debate on the shores of the Mediterranean, but the most humble also deserve to experience this at least once in their lives. It is like when it is claimed that in the First and Second Division there is only room for historical teams. Does Ceuta, Racing de Ferrol or Mirandés have less right to be in professional football than Real Zaragoza, Oviedo or Málaga? I don’t believe it.
Cape Verde will probably only play three games in the World Cup, But no one is going to steal that experience from you anymore. See them arrive at the stadium to the rhythm of batukadafeeling the emotion of a newcomer in his eyes and in his words or listening to how his small community raised the decibels of the stadium is worth it. Because no matter how expensive the tickets are and no matter how much they try to distort the sport, football will always belong to the fans. and the new onesdebutants like Cabo Verde, allow us to rediscover the essence of the most beautiful sport in the world.
Tremendous stadium
By the way, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is outrageous. As soon as you enter you are captivated by the immensity of a modern, versatile and avant-garde venue. Comfortable, air-conditioned and with an impressive deck. An example to follow in beauty, facilities, access and organization. For this, the United States is another world.