Coffee Break: Finding Joy in Small Stories and Strong Coffee

I’m still in my coffee mood. 😊

Our last Coffee Break was so much fun. I loved reading your comments and your stories. Thank you for spending a little part of your day with me.

So… shall we have another coffee together?

I’ve been watching quite a bit of the World Cup lately.

Of course I’m cheering for Canada, but I have to admit something…

I don’t think I’ll remember who won every match. What I will remember are the little stories behind the tournament. Some made me smile. Some surprised me.
And one even made me add another country to my travel wish list.

The Smartest Football Ever?

One thing I found fascinating is the official match ball.

Can you believe there’s actually a tiny microchip inside it?

The ball sends data hundreds of times every second to help referees make more accurate decisions.

Imagine explaining that to football fans thirty years ago! Technology really has changed the game.

A Small Country with a Big Story

Then I discovered a country I honestly didn’t know… Cape Verde (Cabo Verde).

Have you ever heard of it?

It’s a small country made up of ten volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean with only about half a million people.

Beautiful beaches, surfing, colorful culture, music…

The more I read about it, the more I thought, “I’d love to visit one day.”

And that’s when I came across the story of their goalkeeper.

His real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, but everyone knows him as Vozinha.

The nickname means “little grandmother” and has a touching story behind it. As a little boy, he was incredibly close to his grandmother. Whenever something went wrong during a game, or the older boys knocked him over, he would run straight to her for comfort. The neighbourhood children started teasing him by calling him “Vozinha,” and the nickname stayed with him all the way to the World Cup.

What really amazed me was his age.

He’s 40 years old.

Most football players have already retired by then.

Instead, he was playing in the biggest tournament in the world and showing everyone that dreams don’t have an expiry date.

His story became even more emotional when I learned that his mother couldn’t be there for his first World Cup match because of travel difficulties.

Later, through FIFA’s family support program, she was finally able to join him and watch her son play.

As a parent… can you imagine that moment?

Sometimes I think those are the real victories.

Success Without Forgetting Your Roots

The third story that caught my attention was about Erling Haaland.

Most people know him for his incredible goals and records. But what impressed me wasn’t his football.

It was the person behind the fame.

Despite being one of the world’s biggest football stars, people often describe him as surprisingly down-to-earth. When he has time off, he enjoys simple things—fishing, spending time with family, and going back to his hometown in Norway.

He has also supported local football and community projects, believing that young people should have opportunities to play sports and follow their dreams.

One thing I really admire is that he doesn’t seem to chase the celebrity lifestyle. He lets his football do the talking.

Reading about him reminded me that success doesn’t have to change who we are.

Sometimes the people who make the biggest impact are the ones who stay humble, remember where they came from, and never forget the people who helped them along the way.

I think that’s a lesson that goes far beyond football.

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Well, our coffee cups are empty, and it’s almost time for kickoff. Hopefully, this little coffee break gave you a few stories to impress your friends with while you wait for the match to begin.

Whether you’re cheering from the stadium, your favourite pub, or the comfort of your sofa, I hope your team makes you proud. Good luck to everyone’s favourite team!

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