My name is Brenton Balentien, but everybody calls me “payo”, a nickname I got from my uncle. From a young age I was the clown of the family and “payo” is a shortened word for payaso meaning “clown”. I was born and raised in Curaçao, and I am from the neighborhood called “Stenen Koraal.” I am 32 years young, and I work as a debt collection officer from 8-5, and on the weekends, you can find me behind the bar shaking some cocktails.
I am a fan leader of the Curaçao supporters. It all began in 2017-2018 when the national team was doing well in the qualification rounds. More people and fans began to believe in the project and came to the stadium. In one game we went to the ground with some instruments and the rest is history!
Being a Curaçaoan means the world to me because I love this small island with all my heart and soul!
I am proud to say that I am a “Yui di Kòrsou” (“Child of Curaçao”) everywhere I go! It is a term created by one of our local artists, Jean Paul Fernandes.
Why is that? It is because the Curaçaoan blends everywhere we go and we adapt to our surroundings, but you can always tell that we are from Curaçao. The Curaçaon will always make sure he gets noticed, by the way he dresses, talking loudly, or making friends.
A Born Leader
As a main supporter and the leader of the fans, I always paint my face in blue. Blue represents our flag, our beautiful beaches, and, of course, blue is a good luck color.
When we play at home, I gather up all the fans to join my group, and we go in buses to the stadium. We help the federation with selling tickets and filling up the stadium.
When we are in the stadium, we become ultra fans and go wild throughout the 90 minutes, chanting and singing. I create the songs and chants myself or with my group of friends. One example is:
Bacunaaaaa Bacunaaaaa Olee olee oleeee!
Cucooo cucooooo cucooo martinaaa ta nos capitan.
Sigui move Kòrsou, Sigui moveeee!!!
Guatemala pa casaaaaaa, Guatemalaa pa casaaa!!
Bacuna is one of the superstars of our team. Cuco is the captain of the team. “Sigui move Kòrsou” means “Come on Curaçao! Let’s go!” We sing this song to keep our players and team motivated to keep attacking. When we used to play against Guatemala, we had to win that game!
As fans, it is difficult for us to travel with the team because it is very expensive to travel from the island. But we always attend the home games, and when we play abroad, we always watch the game at the bar.
I also created an iconic cocktail using the famous Blue Curaçao liquor. And called it É Blou (“The Blue One”). So when it is game day, you have to take É Blou to feel the vibes. It is getting quite famous.
Leading the Curaçaoan fans is something that came naturally. I am a born leader! But it is mostly thanks to my friends and family who always put up with my crazy ideas.
My mom especially, and my girlfriend are mostly the ones who support my ideas. For example, when I go to the stadium, my mom makes sure I have the blue paint on my face and the Curaçao flag. My girlfriend has been to each and every game with me.
Soccer Is Life
The photos were taken at the bar where I work and at the field where I train and play games on the weekends. They were also taken at our company's annual soccer events where departments play against each other. This year we came in second place.
Everyone I captured forms part of my life, either because they support my passion, or they mean something special in my heart.
Soccer is life, and life is soccer. The discipline you need to have to play and train for soccer is the same that you can, and must, apply in your daily life.
From Player To Coach
I used to coach football at a local club called Atletiko Saliña, and I am still active on the field as a soccer player and coach. I started coaching in 2010, at the time when I was one of the talents on the Island. I always liked the idea of coaching younger kids. My friend Gianno saw my potential and asked me to join the coaching staff of Atletiko Saliña, working with the U8 youth teams. I kept doing it for almost 11 years. I am now a coach and player for a second-division team called Atomic. They are a team from the west part of the island.
I used to be part of the Curaçao youth national teams at the U-15, U-17, and U-20 levels. I was very close to playing for the national team. I have seen a lot of great players and coaches come and go.
I have been able to play and train with guys like Elson Hooi and Zinho Constantia. Elson has for years been our lucky talisman of the national team. He used to play for the Feyenoord youth teams, ADO Den Haag, and NEC Nijmegen. Back in the day, we used to play in a local team called CVV Willemstad and we also played together in the U-17 and U-20 Curaçao national team. Zinho Constantia is one of the current staff members of the national team, and we also used to play together in the U-17 and U-20 national team.
I have had the honor to work with AC Milan soccer camps. I also played for the national team at youth level against big teams like Cuba, Canada, and Trinidad and Tobago. In the future I would love to have a role on the staff of the national team.
Promoting Our Island
Football is the second most played sport on the island after baseball. Football throughout the years has been connecting people and bringing nationalities together. It has a good and positive impact. Parents become more involved with their kids, and it keeps us healthy.
When we play our home games in Curaçao, the other team travels with their fans and families so they become tourists on our island. It is always great to see your team playing at a high level against big nations with world-class players. Being part of big tournaments is a good way to promote our island and beautiful people.
The dream for Curaçao is and will always be to reach the World Cup. It would be even crazier if we go and win it. But I am realistic - we have a very long way to go.
Let’s Go Curaçao! The blue wave is coming!
Quickfire Heritage Questions
What are the words or phrases/sayings that anyone from your country will know?
Sigui move Kòrsou (keep on moving Curaçao).
Bati manda mondi (get the ball out of the stadium).
No lage bai, kibra kos den su kurpa (don’t let him go, break a leg).
What are the most distinctive landmarks in your country?
Our capital Willemstad and the Pietermaai district.
Boka Samí (fisherman’s village).
What is your country most famous for?
The beaches. Food. Underwater Marine Park.
What do you consider your most distinctive food dish?
We are a multicultural island, but I would say: okra soup, oxtail, goat.
If you could say “These three things symbolize our country and our people”, what would that be?
Talented, extraordinary, humble.
