India, July 4 -- Cabo Verde may have exited the FIFA World Cup, but their dream campaign has already created one of the tournament's most unexpected breakout stories, with Sidny Lopes Cabral revealing that Jose Mourinho personally reached out to him during the island nation's remarkable run.

The 23-year-old Cabo Verde star said Mourinho sent him a message after Cabo Verde's performances against Spain and Uruguay, urging him to keep believing in himself. "Mourinho sent me a message after Spain and Uruguay: 'Bravo! Keep going, believe in yourself,'" Sidny said after Cabo Verde's campaign ended in heartbreak against defending champions Argentina.

Cabo Verde pushed Argentina to the limit in a dramatic Round of 32 clash, twice coming from be...