Unity EURO Cup: Jacob’s story
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
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Slovenia gave Venezuelan refugee Manuel Jacob Contreras Gomez a sense of peace. Football helped him find people he now thinks of as family.
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Almost five years ago, Jacob made the difficult decision to leave Venezuela, seeking safety from the country’s political climate and the pressure he faced as a politically active person. Although he knew very little about Slovenia before arriving, he gradually found the peace and security he was looking for. Today, he considers it his home.
"After almost five years, I’m very glad I’m here because I really love Slovenia," he says. "People here are nice. I found a peaceful place in Slovenia."
Jacob has also found a personal way to connect with his new surroundings: his passion for photography. He has been particularly struck by Slovenia’s natural beauty, especially its mountains.
"I’m glad I can breathe fresh air all the time," says Jacob. "There are so many beautiful places in Slovenia. I love Kranjska Gora – it might be my favourite place. You go there and just say, 'Wow.'"
He now works across a range of projects in both Slovenia and abroad, from advertising and commercial productions to film projects. Most recently, he contributed to a short film about Venezuelan migration, in which he also appeared as an actor. The subject was particularly meaningful to him because it reflects his own journey.
The Unity EURO Cup
The fifth edition of the Unity EURO Cup will take place on 15 October at the Italian Football Federation's technical centre in Florence. It is more than just a football tournament – it's a celebration of our sport's power to unite communities, regardless of background. Organised by UEFA in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, teams made up of refugees and players from their host communities compete in a mixed-gender event that puts the floodlights on sport’s vital role in facilitating social inclusion.
Turning dreams into reality
Photography has also helped turn one of Jacob’s long-standing ambitions into reality. During a football match between Slovenia and Portugal, he had the chance to photograph Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It was a truly special experience for me because Ronaldo is my idol," he says. "I will remember that moment forever."
For Jacob, photographing his idol is one of many opportunities he believes would have been beyond his reach in the life he left behind in Venezuela. "Some of my dreams have come true in Slovenia because I can do many things here that I just couldn’t do in my home country."
"Some of my dreams have come true in Slovenia because I can do many things here that I just couldn’t do in my home country."
Proud to wear Slovenia's colours
A keen footballer himself, Jacob is preparing to represent Slovenia at the Unity EURO Cup for the third time.
"I have higher expectations for this year’s tournament because last time we really became a team," he says. "We grew together throughout the tournament and became more organised."
The connections Jacob has made at the Unity EURO Cup mean much more to him than the football itself. He has met many people from around the world with very different life experiences and has formed friendships that have lasted well beyond the competition.
"There’s one really good guy from Colombia who was the captain of the Italian team – we’ve kept in touch since," he says. "Those are the kinds of people you meet at the tournament and start to feel are your brothers because you build such close relationships."
The tournament also gives Jacob a platform to share his own story. Having arrived in Slovenia knowing very little about the country, representing his new home is a special source of pride for Jacob – and a chance to celebrate the friendships he has made and the life he has built.
Ahead of the 2026 Unity EURO Cup, we are sharing the stories of refugees taking part and exploring how football has helped them build new lives