At the age of 9, Stefan Zlatev started playing football; even then he knew he wanted to spend his life kicking a ball. Stefan plays for Bulgaria’s Team of Hope and this is the first time he has ever left his country.

When asked about his home, he looks seriously at Rossina Choleeva, his interpreter. The shy boy speaks very little English. His hazel eyes focus with hard concentration. After a couple of attempts, he understands what is asked of him, his eyes soften as he speaks with a voice that is still breaking.

Stefan grew up in a village near Bulgaria’s capital. Four years ago, he was moved to a home for orphaned children in Doganovo, just outside Sofia, following the death of his parents. He was 12 years old. The home in Doganovo receives children from all over Bulgaria; the children Stefan shares his home with are orphans and half-orphans with no one to care for them; others have been abandoned after their birth. Some of the children are victims of violence and end up placed in the home by local authorities.

Only one year ago, Stefan began playing regularly with the Team of Hope, run by Sports Management Bulgaria. Through their sports programme, they help children and youth across the country reintegrate into society. “Last year was the first time I heard about the Homeless World Cup,” says Stefan with Rossina’s assistance. “It is amazing to be here, I have made so many friends already.”

The 16 year-old moves with the awkward determination characteristic of a teenager. “He wants to finish high school when he returns home,” says Rossina with Stefan smiling and nodding next to her. “He loves football, and wants to dedicate his life to either playing or teaching football. He says football is the best thing, his favourite thing.” Rossina exchanges more words with Stefan and adds laughing “He is a little shy at first, but once you get to know him, all he does is ask questions. He is always very interested in meeting and learning about the people he meets.”

Stefan has already made friends with players from France, Germany and Italy and hopes to befriend even more people before the end of the tournament. “The first thing I’ll do when I return to Doganovo,” says Stefan through Rossina’s lips, “is to tell all my friends that this is a dream they can live with and they can realise.”

For the children without a family, the Bulgarian team offers more than the opportunity to play the game, it is a family in itself. It’s the Team of Hope.

Before leaving the interview tent, Stefan is offered a freshly baked muffin from the nearby catering area. He takes it without hesitation, and his eyes glow with joy. When asked if he would like to take muffins for the rest of his team, he nods with the shy smile. He leaves the tent struggling to balance eleven chocolate muffins in both hands.

Photo Credits: Romain Kedochim