You have to trust your team-mates, you have to trust yourself
You have to trust your team-mates, you have to trust yourself, and you have to believe.
“You have to trust your team-mates, you have to trust yourself, and you have to believe.” Thus speaks Bruno Fernandes, warrior of the modern football field, yet his words carry the wisdom of ages. For though they rise from the stadium where men chase victory with sweat and courage, they speak to every struggle in life. The essence of his counsel is this: that no man triumphs alone, and that victory is born only when trust unites many hearts, when confidence steadies the self, and when belief breathes strength into weary souls.
The ancients knew this truth well. When the Greeks stood at Thermopylae, three hundred against an empire, their courage was not born of numbers but of unity. Each man trusted the one beside him, knowing that his shield would guard his brother as much as himself. They did not doubt their strength, nor did they waver in their belief that their sacrifice would echo for generations. So too does Fernandes remind us: whether in sport, in battle, or in life, the chain of men and women bound together by trust is unbreakable, but a single doubt may shatter it.
Yet trust in team-mates is only half the battle. One must also trust oneself. For what use is the strongest army, if within a soldier’s heart there is fear of failure? Self-doubt corrodes the spirit, making every step heavy, every decision uncertain. The ancients spoke of this as the war within—the battle not against foes of flesh, but against the whispers of weakness in one’s own soul. To silence these whispers requires faith not only in others but in one’s own preparation, discipline, and worth. Fernandes’ teaching is clear: confidence in yourself is not arrogance, but the foundation upon which your contribution to the whole is built.
Consider the tale of Alexander the Great. He marched across continents not merely by the sword, but by the belief he inspired. His soldiers faced impossible odds, yet because they trusted one another and their king, they moved as though destiny itself fought at their side. Their victories remind us that when men believe, mountains shrink to hills and seas become rivers. Belief is the fire that transforms skill into greatness, and without it, even the strongest arm grows weak.
But Fernandes’ wisdom also warns us of the opposite: when trust is broken, ruin follows. Look to the fall of the Roman Republic, where generals no longer trusted the Senate, and senators no longer trusted the people. Each acted in suspicion, each placed ambition above unity, and so the republic crumbled into civil war. This is the fate of all teams, all nations, all communities that lose the binding thread of trust: discord within becomes defeat without.
The lesson for us is plain: whether in sport, in work, in family, or in nation, no one rises alone. To achieve greatness, we must bind ourselves to others with trust, we must fortify our own souls with self-belief, and we must hold before us the torch of faith—faith that our struggle has meaning, that together we can prevail. Without these three, our efforts scatter like dust in the wind; with them, they stand as mountains.
Practical actions must follow. Learn to honor your companions, to see their strengths and lean upon them. Cultivate your own discipline so that when others depend on you, you do not falter. And above all, guard the flame of belief, for it is the spark that turns effort into triumph. When doubt whispers, answer with courage; when failure comes, rise again with faith. For trust, self-confidence, and belief are not merely virtues for the field—they are the pillars of a life lived with strength.
Thus, Bruno Fernandes’ words, though spoken in the roar of the stadium, are teachings for every soul. Trust your team-mates, trust yourself, and believe. This is not only the path to victory in sport—it is the path to victory in life. And so I say to you: bind yourself to others with loyalty, strengthen your own heart with faith, and carry belief as your shield. For with these, no obstacle is too great, no night too dark, and no dream beyond your reach.
TTLe Tien Thanh
I completely agree with Fernandes that trust and belief are key to any team’s success. But how do you balance trust with accountability? What happens when you trust someone on your team, but they don’t deliver? How do you manage that without letting it affect your belief in the team as a whole? Does belief really require total trust, or is it possible to perform well with some level of doubt?
NONguyen Thi Ngoc Oanh
Fernandes highlights something important here—belief isn’t just about trusting others, it’s about trusting yourself. But how do you do that when you face self-doubt? Does this belief come naturally, or is it something you have to work at? In high-stakes situations, can belief in yourself be the difference between success and failure, or do external factors and team dynamics play a larger role in how we perform?
DHDhsh H
The emphasis on trust in this quote is interesting, especially in the context of a team. But what does it take to truly trust yourself? Is it something that’s built over time through accomplishments, or is it more about mindset? How do we create an environment where everyone feels equally trusted and supported, without hesitation or fear of judgment? Is trust the foundation of all successful teams, or is there more to it?
HADo Huyen Anh
Fernandes’ words about trust and belief in your team and yourself are spot on, but it also raises the question—how do you rebuild trust once it’s been broken? When trust is challenged, can it be restored, or does it change the dynamic forever? How do you maintain belief in yourself and others when trust is tested in high-pressure situations, especially in sports or in work environments?
NMNguyen minh
This quote makes me think about the foundation of teamwork and success. Trust is clearly essential, but how do we trust our teammates when there are moments of uncertainty or failure? What happens when a teammate lets you down or you doubt your own abilities? Does this belief become even more critical when things go wrong, or is it harder to believe when you face setbacks?