BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER

As Mexico dreams of lifting the FIFA World Cup on home soil, thousands of fans are seeking help from an unlikely source — a figurine of baby Jesus dressed in the green, white and red colours of the national football team.

According to Reuters, worshippers have been flocking to Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral to pray before a figure of the infant Jesus wearing a Mexico football kit, hoping divine intervention might help “El Tri” achieve World Cup glory.

The display has become one of the most intriguing human-interest stories of the tournament, blending football passion with a uniquely Mexican religious tradition that stretches back generations.

In Mexico, figures of the baby Jesus are often dressed in costumes reflecting the hopes and needs of the faithful. Some are clothed as pilgrims to protect travellers, while others wear doctors’ attire as prayers for healing and good health. During this World Cup, however, football has taken centre stage.

The tradition of dressing the baby Jesus in Mexico’s national team colours dates back to the 1970 World Cup, the first tournament hosted by Mexico. For more than five decades, the custom was associated with the San Miguel Arcangel church in a working-class district of the capital.

This year, however, the tradition found a new and more prominent home after the parish priest at San Miguel Arcangel reportedly prohibited the practice, considering it disrespectful. The move sparked anger among supporters, with some fearing the disappearance of the beloved ritual might somehow affect Mexico’s fortunes on the pitch.

Responding to public sentiment, Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral stepped in.

“It’s the first time it’s been here in the cathedral … the people themselves asked for it,” Canon Manuel Corral told Reuters.

Far from attracting only Mexican supporters, the figure has become a gathering point for football pilgrims from across the globe. On Tuesday, visitors from Argentina, Colombia, Spain and other nations stopped to take photographs, offer prayers or simply admire the unusual symbol of World Cup faith.

Corral told Reuters that Colombians were among those visiting the cathedral ahead of their team’s match against Uzbekistan at the Azteca Stadium.

The figure will remain on display throughout the tournament regardless of Mexico’s results, with different versions of the national team’s kit expected to be used. On Tuesday, the baby Jesus wore a white jersey and green shorts similar to the outfit Mexico are expected to use against South Korea in Guadalajara.

For many visitors, the sight is both comforting and inspiring, reflecting the deep connection between religion and daily life in Mexico. Yet not everyone is convinced.

Eleazar Martinez, a Mexican fan who visited the cathedral, admitted he felt uneasy about the display.

“As a Catholic, it’s very strange for me to see the baby Jesus dressed like that. I don’t really agree with it,” he told Reuters.

Still, whether viewed as an expression of faith, folklore or football superstition, the Soccer Baby Jesus has become a symbol of the hopes of millions of fans as the World Cup unfolds across North America.

And in a country where football and faith often share the same emotional space, many supporters are convinced that every prayer counts.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER

Cristiano Ronaldo has another piece of football history within his grasp as Portugal open their World Cup campaign against DR Congo in Group K.

The 41-year-old captain could become the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments, extending a record that already places him among the greatest players in the competition’s history.

Portugal enter the match as clear favourites, boasting a squad packed with talent and experience, but coach Roberto Martinez has warned against underestimating a DR Congo side eager to make its mark.

The Congolese are returning to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, having last appeared as Zaire in 1974. That campaign ended without a goal or a point, and the Leopards will be desperate to erase those memories by scoring their first-ever World Cup goal.

With players drawn from several top European leagues and coach Sebastien Desabre encouraging a fearless approach, DR Congo will hope to spring a surprise against the Portuguese and launch their comeback to the global stage in memorable fashion.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to add another chapter to his remarkable World Cup career when Portugal face DR Congo in their opening Group K match on Wednesday.

Should the veteran forward feature against the African side, it will mark his 23rd appearance at the FIFA World Cup, drawing him level with Italian great Paolo Maldini in fourth place on the tournament’s all-time appearance list.

The milestone would be another landmark achievement for the 41-year-old Portugal captain, who is already the only player to have scored in five different World Cup tournaments and is seeking to extend that record in North America.

Ronaldo made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006 and has since become one of the most enduring figures in international football, appearing at six editions of the tournament across two decades.

His expected appearance against DR Congo will place him alongside former Italy defender Paolo Maldini on 23 World Cup matches, leaving only a handful of players ahead of him in the competition’s history.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez is expected to rely on Ronaldo’s vast experience as his side begin their quest for a first World Cup title. The Portuguese are favourites against a DR Congo side making their first World Cup appearance in 52 years.

While the Congolese will be eager to frustrate Portugal and chase a historic first World Cup goal, much of the spotlight will inevitably fall on Ronaldo, whose longevity continues to defy expectations.

Another appearance would not only strengthen his place among the tournament’s all-time greats but also move him closer to the record for most World Cup matches played, adding yet another milestone to one of football’s most decorated careers.

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