How Portugal became champions both on and off the pitch
|Bruno Seco [Second from right, coached the Portuguese side in Fuenlabrada] Image: Adrian Za
Bruno Seco is the Portuguese coach, he’s been involved with Futebol de Rua, CAIS Association’s programme since 2011.
“Today my team are champions, but they’re not only champions on the field, they’re also champions in the lives. Each one of them took something from this. This is what matters; this is what makes them champions.”
In Fuenlabrada, the Portuguese team lifted the trophy, taking the title. One of the key people on the touchline was Bruno Seco, the Portuguese coach who has been with the team since 2011.
Being part of the team hasn’t only helped the players, Bruno explains it helped him too: “Street soccer completely changed my life; it gave my life a purpose. At certain points in my life, I’ve been a bit lost, I wanted to make other people champions in their lives, and I wanted to do this through football.”
In 2017 in Oslo, Bruno was awarded Best Coach at the Homeless World Cup for his work with the Portuguese side.
“There are various big moments that stand out for me since 2011, but they are all the same, it’s the moment when a player comes to me and says: ‘This changed my life.’”
The key to being a champion, both on and off the pitch, Bruno explains is down to attitude.
“Play like a warrior but with a smile on your face”
|Portugal celebrate winning at the tournament in Fuenlabrada. Image: Rebecca Corbett/HWC
“It’s about finding the balance between being ambitious and being humble. It’s very difficult because you need to be humble enough to accept that others might win, but if you are too humble you are not going to be the champions, neither in life nor in football. If you are too ambitious, you may come across as arrogant. I always say to my players, play like a warrior but with a smile on your face.”
In his new book, ‘SIIIGAAAA Mentality – The Power of Self Leadership’, Bruno Seco shares his lessons and his approach to life.
“A message for everyone, is set a goal, hard or difficult and do everything you can to achieve it and surround yourself by the right people. If you don’t have the right people by your side, you will always be pulled back.”
Being coach of the tournament in 2017, was an achievement but he’s set his sights on more in 2023.
“I am proud of course, but my ambition is not to be the best coach, but to be the best team, and to be the best team you have to be world champions.”
The key to success, will be down to the players and their approach.
“I think one of the main goals that I have for my players is to have emotional control, they need to know how to fail and that it’s ok to fail and try again. The moral of the story here is even if you fall seven times, you need to get back up again. Don’t be dominated by fear.”
“Dream big, believe in yourself and start small”
|Portugal sing the national anthem at the tournament in Fuenlabrada 2022. Image: HWC/Rebecca Corbett
It’s not only the players attitudes who have changed, Bruno’s approach and the way he looks at himself has changed too.
“Being a coach has given me self-confidence and belief in myself. 10-15 years ago, I didn’t have it but Futebol de Rua gives me self-confidence and self-esteem. Now I am the best version of myself I can be.”
Find out more about CAIS Association’s programme Futebol de Rua and order Bruno’s book here.
Words: Rebecca Corbett with translation support from João Freudenthal