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Not many people would have Morrissey down as a fan of Mexican football. You could be excused for thinking that the ex-Smiths frontman’s allegiances might lie closer to his north west roots – Salford City perhaps, maybe Altrincham or Rochdale… or not.
He isn’t the only personality who has been linked, for one reason or another, with a Liga MX club. Stars from the sports and entertainment world have been attracted to the Mexican top flight – some only as a passing interest or have a second or third club in the Mexican league, while others have a stronger connection. We take a look at some of the big-name supporters of clubs in the Liga MX.
Famous Cruz Azul fans
One of the greatest talents the game has ever produced, for many, he was the greatest – Diego Maradona. Nothing could ever match his passion for his beloved Boca Juniors but El Pelusa had a fondness for other clubs too and not just the ones he played for during his career like his first team Argentinos Juniors or Napoli, where he is still revered as a football god. He allegedly also had a soft spot for Cruz Azul, or at least during the five years that his compatriot Chelito Delgado spent at the club from 2003-2008.
Like Maradona, Usain Bolt is a massive football fan but not tied to just one particular club. The Jamaican ex-sprinter’s number one team has always been Manchester United, as he explained, “Ruud [van Nistelrooy] was the one who made me start supporting Manchester United. Just watching him play, a striker at the level he was, playing for United. It was like ‘this guy is one of the best’, you know what I mean, and, for me, he is why I started watching Manchester United. I never turned back and I’ve just seen great players after great players coming to United and doing a great job”. Aside from United and VanGol, the 100 and 200 metre world record holder was once spotted wearing a Cruz Azul cap, sparking speculation that he could also be an admirer of La Máquina.
Former Mexican boxer and two-weight world champion Ricardo ‘Finito’ López has been a diehard Cruz Azul fan all of his life. He regularly attends matches and events at the Azteca.
Another lifelong fan is film director Alfonso Cuarón. The 60-year-old, born and bred in Mexico City, is known for directing several movies which have been box office hits on both sides of the Atlantic including: Y Tu Mamá También, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men, Gravity and Roma. His hobbies outside of cinema include football and of course, his hometown club.
American-born, Australian pro wrestler Nia Jax is also a Cruz Azul fan. She was presented with a blue team jersey during a trip to Mexico and proudly posted an image of herself wearing it on her social media accounts.
Club América’s most notable fans
Maybe not so well known in Europe, but Roberto Gómez Bolaños, or Chesperito was a massive television star in Mexico in the 1970s. He starred in the hit TV series El Chavo del Ocho, where he daydreamed about playing and scoring for the Azulcremas just like his hero, Enrique Borja. In 2019, the club paid tribute to the late actor with a specially-commissioned third kit, inspired by his film El Chanfle.
Television actress and presenter Mariana Echeverria has openly displayed her love of Club América – hardly surprising, as she is married to goalkeeper Oscar Jiménez. She has attended numerous games, supporting her husband and the team from the stands at the Azteca.
Mexican television host Jorge Van Rankin is a huge America fan. “For me, An Americanista is a way of life. I remember my father taking me to the Azteca when I was seven years old. I’m the kind of guy who, if my team loses a final, I don’t eat for two days,” El Burro confessed.
Jose Maria Yazpik is another well-known Americanista. The 51-year-old actor has starred in numerous, Spanish-language films, including Pedro Almodovar’s I’m So Excited, in which he was cast alongside Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas.
Other notable America supporters include actors Jesús Ochoa, Enrique Rocha and Billy Rovzar as well as TV presenter Juan Carlos Borrego Nava and singer Pedro Fernández.
Crazy for Chivas
Four years ago, American rapper Snoop Dogg was photographed holding up a red and white Chivas USA shirt on social media. While Chivas USA was actually an American club, its parent club was Guadalajara. The club was shut down in October 2014 after 10 turbulent years in MLS.
Morrissey is not believed to have a great deal of interest in football but has been linked to a number of London-based clubs over the years including West Ham, Crystal Palace and Arsenal. He appeared on stage decked from head to toe in a Chivas kit which might have given the game away. It is said that he was given the kit after watching Chivas beating Morelia in the Mexican Cup final in 2017. However, he remains reticent to admit his football allegiances, unlike his former sidekick Johnny Marr, a red-hot Man City fan.
Dutch DJ and producer Armin van Buuren is another self-confessed Chivas fan. There are plenty of photos of him behind the decks clad in his red and white Chivas jersey. The 45-year-old is passionate about Mexican food, culture and tradition and follows Chivas’ matches from his native Holland.
Another unlikely Chivas fan is Doors guitarist Robby Krieger. Krieger, who played the guitar lines on timeless classics like Light my fire, Break on through, Riders on the storm, Spanish caravan… etc, took to the stage wearing a Chivas top when the reformed Doors played the Rio Santa Catarina in Monterrey on October 2009 – the most recent of several legendary gigs the band played in Mexico.
Other well-known Chivistas include actresses Carmen Salinas and Jacky Bracamontes; actors Demián Bichir and Sergio Corona, and TV Azteca reporter Omar Villarreal.
Santos Laguna celebs
Santos Laguna have a star-studded cult following which includes Rod Stewart, Leonardo Di Caprio and Paris Hilton. Rod Stewart’s lifelong club is Celtic but seeing as Santos’ colours are the same, he declared himself a Lagunero following his performance at the Auditorio Nacional in 2012.
Titanic star Di Caprio is a keen follower of several sports but didn’t know too much about Santos until Mexican actor Cheko Zaidman persuaded him to slip on the green and white jersey and pose for a photo, which he happily did.
Paris Hilton is another famous, honorary Guerrero – the club uploaded a photograph on their Twitter account of the socialite brandishing a club jersey during her visit to Torreón in 2016.
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