En la Vida como en la Cancha

50 days have passed since our city experienced the monumental Rayados-Tigres clash for the Liga MX trophy. As a Rayado, I am still in mourning from our championship drought now going on more than 7 years, for having lost our only match in the whole season, and for witnessing our city-rivals claim victory in our own stadium . But that is unimportant now...

I remember the week of the final. Everywhere I went I would see people with their favorite team’s jersey, flags hung all around, stickers on every car, taxi-cab, or bus. The passion and excitement that surrounded our city was unbelievable, and all because of a soccer match. While it was impressive at first, it soon became a little disturbing.

Sometimes people care too much for a leisure sport and blind themselves to all other pressing matters surrounding our city and country. Poverty, corruption, violence, lack of healthcare, all ignored as the spotlight shined on the local derby. If we used the same energy to fight for our country as we do to cheer for our team, imagine what we could accomplish.

We publicly shame rival soccer players, but overlook our filthy politicians. It is very much like the Romans did several thousands of years ago: they distracted the mob with Gladiators while the senators continued to govern at their own will.

Yes, I am a devoted soccer fan; I go to the “Gigante de Acero” every other Saturday and cheer for the Rayados, but I have now vowed to give that same attention and energy to my country—if not more. We must insist and demand more from our leaders than we do our soccer stars. Aviles Hurtado misses a penalty and he immediately receives death threats while officeholders  steal by the millions and we just choose to look the other way. It’s incongruent. We must focus on our country as a priority, and soccer as a hobby, not a lifestyle. We must be aware and conscious, only then will we be able to fight for important causes rather than “historic” soccer matches.