The other night I had the chance to catch a glimpse of Guillermo del Toro. We were in the same room breathing the same air. Del Toro was in attendance to introduce his new movie “Pinocchio.” He was in command of the stage as the crowd carefully listened to each word he said. Sometimes we take for granted how some Mexican individuals have become kings or queens in their fields.
Dreaming big and accomplishing big things are lessons that del Toro has shown us with his life. The knowledge and the enjoyment of his craft are palpable when he speaks. What can Mexican football learn from someone like del Toro?
We have to keep in mind that El Tri will never dominate the football world like del Toro dominates cinematography. That’s an undeniable fact, but El Tri needs to start recuperating their values and solidifying their virtues, and the quickest way to begin is by finding enjoyment in their game.
One of the most critical jobs ahead in the next years is to recuperate that enjoyment on and off the field.
It’s true that thousands of Mexicans made the trek to Qatar and became an instant hit upon their arrival. If El Tri could one day match that fervor and passion in the stands and showcase it on the field, the sky is the limit. But if there’s something this World Cup taught us is that we’re far from reaching that goal.
As mentioned in my last piece, the detachment shown between fans and El Tri at Estadio Azteca is the best example to prove that there’s no joy in every part that surrounds El Tri. Every component is important, and the constant bashing towards El Tri from the media and part of the fanbase just opens the wound over and over again. The wound has never been fully healed since the 2002 World Cup loss to the USMNT.
From a personal standpoint, I will never quit on my selección, even after a series of painful defeats, I’ll always be there. To me El Tri means family because some of my best memories with tíos, and my parents and siblings have been watching El Tri. We went to countless games at NRG Stadium in Houston, we watched every single eliminatoria match with enormous excitement. We hugged, we cried, we screamed at the TV after a bad ref call. We pulled out vuvuzelas. It has always been joy.
From a professional standpoint, I have had a critical eye and sensed many of the factors that have prevented El Tri to fully express itself. And it’s frustrating because El Tri has always been a national team with potential but unable to break that ceiling that prevents it to say to the world: Presente. We’re here.
We always fall short. This World Cup was not the exception.
Every start after the conclusion of the World Cup participation is an opportunity. The interpretation you give to that opportunity is fundamental to which direction you want to take.
I think El Tri has a massive opportunity right now to actually build a project that goes beyond four years. Pick up what’s good in the Mexican game and enhance it is one route to take.
But everything goes back to the joy the actions provoke. Without joy on the pitch, and without joy to wear la verde, the task in hand will be more difficult.