Qatar 2022: Caramelo Chavez, Mexico’s “fan number one”, who always accompanies Tri

Many consider this fan number 1 of the mexican football teambut he only defines himself as a “faithful follower” of Three. Hector “Caramelo” Chavez He could well have been the creditor of the first title.

And this is what for almost four decades He did not lose a single game of selection. Whether it was friendly matches, regional CONCACAF competitions, or international championships such as the World Cup, Caramelo was there.

“From 1986 to today,” he proudly tells BBC Mundo.

Sitting in a suite at Mexico City International Airport, ready to head off to their tenth World Cup, Caramelo reveals they are arriving in Qatar in 2022 with 379 matches View from the podium.

Despite having witnessed hundreds of El Tri games, the new World Cup excites him just as much as the first.

“Every World Cup is different. It is played at different latitudes, especially now in Qatar where it differs from European and Latin American competitions. But I have a lot of emotions because this is a very unique World Cup,” he notes.

While walking next to El Tri almost became a “reason for divorce,” he says his family played a central role in realizing his dream.

“Someday”

“Caramelo” Chavez is now a 59-year-old state-born real estate businessman. Chihuahuain northern Mexico.

But his love for the Mexican national team dates back to when he was a child.

“When I was 8 years old, I saw my father on TV at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. The cameras focused on him and I said: “Someday I would like to take part in the World Cup and appear on television.” From there, I got obsessed with going to the World Cup,” he recalls.

Upon graduation, his father gave him two options: a trip to Europe with classmates, or attending the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

“I didn’t think for a long time, I told him:“ I’m going with you to the World Cup, ”he says. He even visited Italy in 1990, the World Cup in which Mexico did not participate due to a FIFA sanction.

But many Mexicans went because El Tri fans love World Cup parties.

“The Mexican is very loved all over the world. This is our best passport. The rest wonder why Even if Mexico wins, draws or loses, we always have a party. We are very friendly to foreigners, and they really appreciate it,” he says proudly.

Qatar is not foreign territory for this fan, as he has already been to the country four times, but the experience will be unprecedented: the stadiums are located in the city of Doha and its environs.

“We will have 32 hobbies in one place. It will be an unforgettable party, because if you want to relax today [hacer fiesta] We will match up with the rest of the participants in the same places. This is what makes it very exciting and unique,” ​​emphasizes Caramelo.

Most memorable matches

Mexico’s obsession in the World Cups was to go beyond the round of 16. achieve andThe long-awaited “fifth game” at the World Cup – the quarter-final is what El Tri achieved only at home (1970, 1986).

Caramelo experienced this in Mexico in 1986 and has since seen several memorable performances by the Mexican team in the World Cups, although another “fifth game” has yet to come.

His World Cup performance Favorite was a triumph Mexico vs Germany (1-0) in Russia 2018when Hirving Lozano’s goal “made more than 120 million Mexicans dream,” he recalls.

“Tears welled up in my eyes, and the celebration lasted not for several hours, but for several days,” he says.

His other most memorable matches were Mexico Gold Medal at the Olympic Games London 2012or two U17 World Championships that Mexican youth have won (2005, 2009).

But he also remembers a very painful game: Mexico lost to the USA 2-0.hated rival of Concacaf, in the Korea-Japan 2002 quarter-finals.

“He taunted us: “2:0, 2:0”. I couldn’t leave the hotel room for two days, ”Karamelo laments.

However, presence at these and other gameswherein The history of the Mexican national team was written They filled this superfan with satisfaction.

“Because of this experience, you say: “Wow, it was worth it.”

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