In Mexico City, thousands of devotees have gathered at the Metropolitan Cathedral to offer prayers to a figurine of the baby Jesus dressed in the green and white of the Mexican national soccer team, hoping the unusual devotion will translate into World Cup success.
The practice, which dates back to 1970, has resurfaced with renewed vigor this year after a nearby parish prohibited the same ritual, prompting the cathedral to display the infant deity in a series of kits representing participating nations throughout the tournament.
Each day, the statue dons a different jersey, from Argentina’s sky‑blue to Spain’s red, drawing supporters from across the globe who believe the symbolic gesture can influence the outcome of matches on the field.
Eleazar Martinez, a regular visitor, expressed his bewilderment, saying the sight of a child’s figure clad in a soccer shirt feels out of place within a sacred space.
Fans from countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Argentina and Spain have traveled to the historic site, each seeking a personal connection to their team’s hopes through this blend of religious tradition and football fervor.
While the spectacle has sparked both admiration and criticism, it underscores the deep intertwining of sport and culture in Mexican society, where even a baby Jesus can become a focal point for collective aspiration.