Just a few days ago, Mexican fans were known for their joy, the atmosphere they created, and the hospitality they showed to visiting fans. However, the image we’re projecting today seems to be changing… and for the worse.
During the celebrations for Mexico’s victory, we saw videos of people vandalizing vehicles, assaulting others, damaging street furniture, and endangering entire families. Accidents and tragic events also came to light, leaving people injured and even dead. In addition, a video circulated of a brutal attack against a Colombian citizen in Guadalajara.
It seems the euphoria got out of control.
Social media also plays a big part. Today, it seems many want to replicate what goes viral: dousing anyone who gets in their way with foam, harassing reporters who are just doing their job, pushing cars, hitting vehicles, climbing onto traffic lights, destroying bus stops, or creating dangerous situations just to get a few seconds of fame.
What’s worrying is that we’re starting to romanticize vandalism, as if being “wild” were something to be proud of. As if the more chaos there is, the more fun it is. And it’s not.
And as if all that weren’t enough, we also saw a group of fans making noise in the early hours of the morning outside the Ecuadorian national team’s hotel to prevent the players from resting. More than a strategy, that reflects a misguided mentality. It gives the impression that we believe our team needs to disrupt the opponent to win, instead of trusting that it can defeat them by playing them on equal terms.
@dsports ¿NERVIOSOS, MUCHACHOS? 🇲🇽 ▶️ Los hinchas mexicanos se reunen fuera del hotel donde se hospeda la selección ecuatoriana para generar ruido en los exteriores. 📹 Ana Rueda #MundialEnDSPORTS #FIFAWorldCup #TikTokDeportes #Fútbol ♬ sonido original – DSports
Celebrating a victory doesn’t mean losing respect for others.
Football should unite us, not bring out the worst in us. Because while some believe all this is part of the celebration, in other parts of the world, these videos are what represent Mexico. And sadly, because of a few, more and more people want to see our national team lose, not because of the team itself, but because of the behavior of some of its fans.
Hopefully, we’ll understand that supporting Mexico also means representing our country with pride. Because being a good fan isn’t about making more noise, causing more damage, or going viral; it’s about showing that we know how to win with passion, but also with respect.
