Nairobi, July 20 -- The final whistle may have blown on the FIFA World Cup, but the stories it gave us will endure long after the trophy was lifted.

From underdogs upsetting favourites to young stars announcing themselves and veterans chasing one last shot at glory, the tournament reminded us that people don't just follow football; they follow stories.

Nothing embodied that spirit more than Cape Verde. A nation of just over half a million people, making its first-ever World Cup appearance, went unbeaten through the group stage and pushed defending champions Argentina to extra time before finally bowing out.

Newsrooms from CNN to Al Jazeera dubbed it the tournament's Cinderella story. For a few unforgettable weeks, the world's attention...