Cuauhtémoc Blanco - Mexican Talisman
Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Mexican most famous footballer in the last two decades, has already 37-year-old by now. He gained a lot of weight lately, his movement grows slower, and he can't playing for the full 90 minutes due to his stamina.
The first two matches of 2010 World Cup answered why Javier Aguirre, Mexican national team coach, still put a lot of hopes in Blanco's shoulder.
In World Cup opening match against the host nation, South Africa, Mexico trailed by one goal till the part of second halves. After Blanco came as substitute, Mexico pushed forward and tied the scores 1-1. Yesterday, in do-or-die match against former World Champion, France, only after Blanco in the field that Mexico able to scored two goals, one by Blanco himself through penalty spot, gave his team victory by 2-0.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco strength not lies in his skill or sense of goal, but in his leadership and determination. When he's on the field, his teammate felt encouraged, and believe that they can beats any opponents. His part off the pitch also important, helped coach Javier Aguirre to restore order in the dressing room.
Cuauhtemiña
One thing that I'm very much hoping in this World Cup is to see Cuauhtemiña one last time. Cuauhtemiña? Also known as Blanco Trick, this is his trademark move.
In this trick, when two or more opposition players are trying to take the ball from him, he traps the ball between his feet and jumps through the defenders- releasing the ball in the air and landing with it under control as he leaves the opposition players behind.
So famous, this move has been incorporated as a special skill into the FIFA series of football video games. Watch the video below:
Including last night match, Cuauhtémoc Blanco has played 139 matches for Mexico, scored 39 goals. He's only seven goals behind the Mexican all-time top scorer, Jared Borgetti. With last night spot kick goal, he also became the first Mexican to score a goal in three World Cup tournaments. He played before in France '98 and Japan-South Korean '02 World Cup.
Blanco's achievements in club level not as great as in national team though. He spent almost of his entire career in local club, mostly in America. Injuries and homesick made him unsuccessful in his European journey with Real Valladolid in La Liga, Spain. He spent the last three years with Chicago Fire in MLS, USA.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo, born January 17, 1973 in Mexico City, Mexico. He's 5'10" (1.78 m) height, his favorite positions is forward/attacking midfielder. Blanco, Mexican football legend, still not stated whether he will retire after this tournament.
The first two matches of 2010 World Cup answered why Javier Aguirre, Mexican national team coach, still put a lot of hopes in Blanco's shoulder.
In World Cup opening match against the host nation, South Africa, Mexico trailed by one goal till the part of second halves. After Blanco came as substitute, Mexico pushed forward and tied the scores 1-1. Yesterday, in do-or-die match against former World Champion, France, only after Blanco in the field that Mexico able to scored two goals, one by Blanco himself through penalty spot, gave his team victory by 2-0.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco strength not lies in his skill or sense of goal, but in his leadership and determination. When he's on the field, his teammate felt encouraged, and believe that they can beats any opponents. His part off the pitch also important, helped coach Javier Aguirre to restore order in the dressing room.
Cuauhtemiña
One thing that I'm very much hoping in this World Cup is to see Cuauhtemiña one last time. Cuauhtemiña? Also known as Blanco Trick, this is his trademark move.
In this trick, when two or more opposition players are trying to take the ball from him, he traps the ball between his feet and jumps through the defenders- releasing the ball in the air and landing with it under control as he leaves the opposition players behind.
So famous, this move has been incorporated as a special skill into the FIFA series of football video games. Watch the video below:
Cuauhtemiña video compilation
Including last night match, Cuauhtémoc Blanco has played 139 matches for Mexico, scored 39 goals. He's only seven goals behind the Mexican all-time top scorer, Jared Borgetti. With last night spot kick goal, he also became the first Mexican to score a goal in three World Cup tournaments. He played before in France '98 and Japan-South Korean '02 World Cup.
Blanco's achievements in club level not as great as in national team though. He spent almost of his entire career in local club, mostly in America. Injuries and homesick made him unsuccessful in his European journey with Real Valladolid in La Liga, Spain. He spent the last three years with Chicago Fire in MLS, USA.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo, born January 17, 1973 in Mexico City, Mexico. He's 5'10" (1.78 m) height, his favorite positions is forward/attacking midfielder. Blanco, Mexican football legend, still not stated whether he will retire after this tournament.
Javier Aguirre Pictures
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