A standout at the World Cup, Deniz Undav is playing for Germany while representing his Yazidi and Kurdish heritage. Undav has scored three goals and made two assists, placing him in the company of stars like Lionel Messi. His success is celebrated by the Yazidi community, which has faced decades of oppression. Yazidis in a village in northeastern Syria gathered Thursday to watch him play against Ecuador. Irfan Ortac is chair of the Central Council of Yazidis in Germany. He says Undav's achievements offer a positive narrative for Yazidis. Undav hopes his performance inspires others. Despite facing abuse over his heritage, his popularity is growing, symbolizing resilience and pride.