Thierry Henry, Andres Iniesta, Kaka, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Wayne Rooney -- before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, many of these stars were on the list of potential Golden Ball winners. Amid this constellation of talent, the name of an experienced Uruguayan striker was barely mentioned.

The first FIFA World Cup to be held on African soil took place in South Africa, where the piercing buzz of vuvuzelas and the vibrant, distinctive celebrations of African supporters created an unforgettable spectacle.

Friendship is not always about standing side by side. Sometimes, it becomes a presence even in absence -- silent, unseen, yet profoundly felt. It is a feeling that cannot be touched or seen, yet in the hardest moments, it stands right at the center of the chest, as a strange source of strength.