Football in Latin America

In anticipation of the main football event of the year 2019 between Liverpool and Tottenham, the League of Champions final. I’ve decided to share my experience attending football games in Mexico and Colombia. Is it true that football is religion in Latin America?

It is well-known fact, that players from this continent have conquered fans’ hearts around the world. Pele, Maradona, Messi… the list is long and their strong affection to this game is obvious. With the stereotype, that “everyone in here is crazy about football”, I want to find out how true this statement is.

My firsthand experience of watching football

I’ve attended couple games in Mexico and Colombia and here I’ll share my experience. Why does it matter or why should you, my dear reader, read this article? Well, I had been to several football games in my life in different countries, I had been following this sport since I was kid, I had turned it into my hobby, and isn’t it interesting to find out if  ‘footballomania’ is a real thing that exists in the blood of the Latinos?

 My first tête-à-tête experience had happened in 2003 in Russia at the game of the local team Rubin (Kazan) with notorious Spartak (most titled Russian team). Now, I don’t remember much of the game’s details, but the electric atmosphere in the stadium, passionate fans, the vivid memories of two competing teams, and joy of the victory made me feel like I was witnessing a gladiator’s fight in the Colosseum. This game colorfully lingered for a long time in my memory and immediately turned me into a football fan. It is worth mentioning, that Rubin had became country’s champion in 2008 and 2009 and can boast an unexpected win against FC Barcelona in their debut League of Champions season.

Most internationally known Russian football teams:

For football nerds, I’ve left a Russian champion’s table at the bottom of the post

Xolos game

Every guest’s goalkeeper’s ball kick was followed by “Eeeeeeuuuuuhhhhh….P-U-U-T-O” by at least half of the stadium. Although it sounds very funny, it still might be considered by some as offensive. The Mexican Football Federation and the national team had been fined for their fan’s behavior several times in their history, as recent as in the World Cup in Russia. The referee was yelled at by at least dozen different names, elaborate nicknames and epithets were given to each America’s player, the place really reminded battleground of the two vicious enemies. Just like in Roman Empire, where ‘bread and circus’ were served to please the spectators, in Tijuana we had enjoyed ‘de-licking-my-fingers-licious’ tacos de carde asada, refreshing beer, and multitude of spicy snacks.

Watching football in Colombia

The experience can be truly called unforgettable. Unforgettable, but incomparable too? With this thought, I went to the game of Millionarios – one of the most successful teams in Colombia, the last South American club, for which played Alfredo Di Stefano (before moving to Real Madrid) – widely regarded as one of the best football players of all time. I’ve witnessed the same passion, love to the game, fans support. Although I felt that the game was missing spiciness, pregaming, or intensity that I had absorbed in the Mexican game. Granted it wasn’t a rivaliry, just a regular season game.

After visiting several games, hanging out at stadium’s museum, and talking to people, I’ve came to conclusion that I was wrong about the stereotype. Latin Americans love football, they are very passionate fans, but this game is not the essence of their life. Football in Latin America definitely not a religion… nowadays there are plenty of other sports to follow, although I recommend to anyone this 90-minute experience of blazing emotions and vibrant performance. It is truly unique!

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