Jill's blog: Why We Love An Underdog

Why heart, joy and integrity are more important than winning.

If you followed any of the World Cup coverage, it’s likely you have heard about the brilliant performance by the Cape Verde team. Perhaps, in particular, their goal keeper Vozinha. 

For sure he gave an exceptional performance, blocking shots by some of the greatest teams and players in the world.  He proved himself to be dedicated, determined, resilient, a strong leader and exceptionally humble. All with an emotional willingness that we often see men holding back.

I, like many people across the world, am touched by his story. As well as the story of the entire Cape Verde team. The main reflection I am taking away from this is what makes an underdog so loveable.

What I believe Cape Verde has shown, and hopefully what my boys will see, is that you don’t need to win to matter. You don’t need to conquer to make an impact. You can show up, give it your all, wear your heart on your sleeve and inspire people everywhere in a way you might not have imagined.

The story of Cape Verde shows that participation matters. Trying matters. Caring matters. BELIEVING matters. In a world that is always pushing us to be more, do more, be at the top of the class, top of our career, Cape Verde shows us that wanting and trying can be enough. You can inspire people by just being there and just being you.

After all, we champion an underdog when all odds are stacked against them. And if the underdog doesn’t win, we still love and respect them. We’re still in their corner cheering them on. Because for us, as the viewer, fan, audience, it’s truly not about whether they win. It’s about their fortitude to show up and try. Move beyond the fear, push past the doubt and show up. And, importantly, ENJOY yourself while you’re doing it.

And to bring it back to Vozinha, there was much speculation about where he might end up after his brilliant World Cup performance. There were rumours of him joining Inter Miami, which would have been brilliant PR for the sport in America. He probably would have made a pretty penny, too. But you know what? The money didn’t sway him.

Vozinha has said in interviews that he probably only has two or so years left to play, and he didn’t want to spend them with a team that would use him for marketing. He wanted to be on the pitch and be part of a team. He wanted to PLAY football. Because that’s what he loves. That’s what fills him up. So, at the time of writing this blog, he’s due to sign with the Chilean team Colo Colo. Yes, his salary will increase from what he was making, but not in the way it probably would have if he joined an American team and kept the bench warm.

Honestly, it’s a beautiful result.

If you’ve dreamed of something your whole life and when you finally achieve it, but don’t take the time to enjoy it, that’s a missed opportunity. Sometimes we focus too much on success, on winning, that we strip the fun out of where we are and what we’re doing. We forget that life isn’t really about being on the top. It’s about the feelings, connection and impact we have. If Cape Verde and Vozinha has taught us anything, it’s that heart and dedication matter. Joy and kindness matter. Fair play and integrity matter. All lessons that can benefit the world and have hopefully inspired my children.

Jill is an American ex-pat living her best English life on the border of London and Surrey. She spends her days pretending she knows what she’s doing, creating some fun things along the way. With a passion for storytelling and the gumption of a New Yorker, she’s raising two cheeky, clever boys with deep imaginations and an annoyingly cunning use of language. With a husband, cat and hamster along for the ride, life is never boring. Even if sometimes a bit too stressful.