Willy Mertens

All comments are personal views and not those of entities I work for and or represent. God first. Husband, Father, Runner, Strategist, Football Lover, Mancunian

[RAZOR BLADE @razorblade300]

💔Pep Guardiola:

“People think football gives you everything. The trophies, the nights under the lights, the songs from the fans… and yes, it gives you beautiful moments. But football also takes. It takes time. It takes peace. It takes pieces of you that you don’t even realise are disappearing.

For many years, I was obsessed. Completely obsessed. I woke up thinking about football, I slept thinking about football. Even when I was sitting with my family, mentally I was somewhere else — thinking about tactics, training, pressure, the next match, the next title. I gave everything to this game. Maybe too much.

There was a moment in my life when my wife looked at me and said, ‘You have to choose. Football or us.’ And the truth is… I chose football.

At that time, I believed I was doing the right thing. I told myself this was my passion, my responsibility, my identity. But passion can become addiction when you forget the people who love you outside of your work.

You win trophies, and everyone celebrates you for one night. Then the next morning, they ask what comes next. Another game. Another title. Another sacrifice. Football never says ‘enough.’ It always asks for more.

And one day, I looked around and realised the people I loved were growing older while I was standing on the touchline shouting about a misplaced pass. My children were becoming adults. Time was moving. Life was moving. And I was missing it.

That hurts more than losing any final.

Now I understand something I didn’t understand when I was younger: there is life beyond football. Real life. Quiet mornings with your family. Conversations without pressure. Laughing at dinner without thinking about the weekend’s lineup. Being present. Truly present.

Football gave me everything professionally, but family gives me something football never could — peace.

So yes, maybe it is time to stop for a while. To rest. To breathe. To wake up without pressure in my chest. To be a husband. To be a father. Not a manager. Not a genius coach. Just a man with the people he loves.

Because in the end, when the stadium lights go dark and the crowds go home, you understand something very simple:

Love matters more than football.

And for the first time in many years… I am ready to choose that.”

[Willy Mertens @WLM1621]

I will be speaking at the @CoMinesNamibia Expo and Conference on 6 August 25 10h30. Windhoek Showgrounds Conference Tent. @DebmarineN

[Willy Mertens @WLM1621]

Medal of Honour recipient. Debmarine Namibia recognised for its contribution to Sport in Namibia by HE Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa President of the Republic of Namibia. @DebmarineN @NamPresidency @SWAPOPRESIDENT

[Namibian Presidency @NamPresidency]

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Congratulates the Namibian National Women’s Netball Team, the Debmarine Desert Jewels, for Winning the Inaugural #UAENetballTournament Held in the UAE from 15 to 21 June 2025

In her message, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says:
“I would like to congratulate our national women’s netball team, the Debmarine Desert Jewels, for being crowned champions of the inaugural United Arab Emirates Netball Cup. The victory of the Debmarine Desert Jewels in the final against Singapore is a moment of great joy for the sports fraternity and the Namibian people in general.

The Namibian Government has prioritized sports as one of the 7 key strategic priority areas, and the 2025/26 national budget is aligned to the professionalisation of sports by investing in sports infrastructure across the country to realize the full potential of our sportsmen and women. Indeed, the victory of the national women’s netball team is a step in the right direction for sports in our country, and I reassure our champions that they have made the nation proud.

I look forward to meeting the team in the coming days. Congratulations and well done to our Champions.”

[New Era Newspaper @NewEraNewspaper]

Final… Minister of Sport, Sanet Steenkamp sends strength and well wishes to the national netball team Desert Jewels for their game in the United Arab Emirates. The Desert Jewels are participating in the UAE Netball Cup and will play against Singapore at 14h00, Namibian time.

[Debmarine Namibia Official @DebmarineN]

Request for Proposal: DBMNE0602
MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROJECT DELIVERY EPCM SERVICES

CLOSING DATE:
18 July 2025 at 12:00.

Bidders must register on our electronic platform Asite Marketplace
https://t.co/bPTgZ8gr1u to participate in this RFP.

[Debmarine Namibia Official @DebmarineN]

🇳🇦💎 Proud moment for Namibia!

Debmarine Namibia CEO joined TaTe Diamonds at the grand opening of their new flagship showroom in Buckhead, Atlanta.

Namibian craftsmanship now shining on the global stage — from ocean to elegance.

[Debmarine Namibia Official @DebmarineN]

Calling all women founders with tech businesses in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa to join the De Beers Group Trailblazer, an 8-month hybrid accelerator. Gain access to financial coaching, mentorship, and a customized learning experience.

Apply here: https://t.co/dGeQWhabM0

[Willy Mertens @WLM1621]

@SharksRugby Cheslin

[Willy Mertens @WLM1621]

Business Leaders, Business Owners, would you like to take your Business to the next level? Applications for the Stanford Seed Transformational Program open Now! Register for this Transformational Information Business Breakfast session on 31 March 25. @debeersgroup @DebmarineN

[Debmarine Namibia Official @DebmarineN]

⏰ Time's ticking! Tomorrow is the last day to seize the opportunity to join our team as a #ProductionManager. 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻 #ApplyToday 🤳🏻👩🏻‍💻🧑🏻‍💻 #WeAreHiring 😁🤗👷🏻👷🏻‍♀️ #DebmarineNamibia 🚢🚢 💎💎

[Willy Mertens @WLM1621]

@FabrizioRomano Warrior

[Debmarine Namibia Official @DebmarineN]

The deadline is here! Just 1️⃣ day left to apply for the #DebmarineNamibia #Bursary and #Scholarship opportunities!

Apply today: https://t.co/qXLbhqzuUB 👩🏻‍💻🧑🏻‍💻🚢⚓💎

[Debmarine Namibia Official @DebmarineN]

Get ready for an unforgettable evening! Mr. Willy Mertens, CEO of #DebmarineNamibia, has been a guiding light for the University of Namibia's Accounting Society as a Patron and Goodwill Ambassador, inspiring countless future leaders. Lets celebrate his incredible contribution.

[Debmarine Namibia Official @DebmarineN]

Supporting our communities is at the heart of what we do! 💙🩵 💫 We are happy to announce our sponsorship of 64 mattresses, fitted sheets, curtains, cutlery, crockery, and food items for the JA Kahuika community hostel in Berseba Constituency. 🤗🤗

👉🏻 https://t.co/cnbCW0JLxf

[Willy Mertens @WLM1621]

https://t.co/yueCfueCr6

Honoured to have been part of the team that recently hosted Lupita Nyongo in Windhoek, Namibia. @debeersgroup @NamPresidency @Tjiurimo
@Lupita_Nyongo @DebmarineN @IngeZaamwani @FirstLadyNam3
https://t.co/HyIaEShclB

[Willy Mertens @WLM1621]

@eurofootcom All clubs should do this

[Willy Mertens @WLM1621]

Last day to register to vote - it is free. I stepped up. Let’s get it done.

[Willy Mertens @WLM1621]

@Cantona_Collars A+