In Mexico, we have the habit of easily buying everything that comes from abroad, it seems that doing so elevates us, gives us class, and validates our shortcomings. Whether they are basic articles, necessities, or luxury items, it doesn't matter, if they come from abroad, we will always think they are better.
In football, which is a reflection of our society, it couldn't be different. A foreign player will have more opportunities than a Mexican player. The same happens with coaches, and Sven Goran Eriksson and the most famous illusionist, Juan Carlos Osorio, are examples of this. These two reflect how easy it is to sell smoke and mirrors in Mexico.
What the bon vivant Sven did is not even worth mentioning, and what Osorio did would be irrelevant if it weren't for the fact that he just gave an aberration of an interview where the illusionist broke his magic wand.
Osorio was characterized by using very complex terms, which allowed him to talk about everything except football. He mentioned each player by their first name, never by their last name. His intention was clear: to make the coach-player relationship much more personal and to seek the unconditional commitment of his players... And he achieved it.
There was not a single selected player who did not support the Colombian coach wholeheartedly, both on and off the field. He dedicated himself to "selling illusions", speaking after a match as if he were David Copperfield himself, and giving explanations that were not simple, unlike football. He always extended his answers, but didn't say anything substantial.
He had a great qualifying campaign, of course, he had the best generation of Mexican footballers, including Carlos Vela.
That's how we arrived at Russia 2018, we beat Germany in an extraordinary match, and the highlight was ready to be enjoyed...
And then came the moment of truth, we had to draw against Sweden to secure first place in the group, which would allow us to face Switzerland in the round of 16. But guess what?... The illusionist got stuck with the rabbit in the hat! We were defeated 3-0.
Two years later, he decides to make a statement about it: He literally said, "I recognize that I made a mistake because I went out to win the match..." What??? Thank goodness he went out to win the match because otherwise, we would have been beaten 6-0.
The illusionist's years of experience in football and his words as a seasoned author were not enough for him to understand that all he had to do was grab a calculator and add 3 + 3 + 1, and realize that with a draw, Mexico would advance in first place. Then, with Brazil, in the final act, where the illusionist tried to be an escapologist, they brought him back to reality. You can't beat Brazil with magic, they are the magicians of football, they can make the ball appear and disappear, make it small. We were never going to beat Brazil with Juan Carlos Osorio as coach. That's when the dream ended. The illusion of the illusionist vanished.
Today, after listening to the unfortunate interview where Osorio exposes his players, where he no longer calls them by their name, where he tries to save himself, justifies himself, and destroys the sacredness of a team's dressing room: the codes.
He clearly showed who he is, Juan Carlos Osorio shattered his most prized treasure, the Colombian destroyed his vital object... The illusionist broke his magic wand! What will those who defended him and believed everything he said say now?