Nacho Rivero, on a night of light and shadow, makes Cruz Azul dream

▲ Nacho Rivera (right) and his teammate Ángel Sepúlveda celebrate the goal that puts the cement workers one step away from breaking their losing streak against the Águilas in the playoffs. Photo by Germán Canseco

Alberto Aceves

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a10

The memories of the old Cruz Azul, condemned to losing in the final minutes and unable to beat América in the playoffs, met with the team it is now. Those who suffered through years without a title, the risk of relegation, and the sporting crisis were relieved of that burden yesterday. But something like that was missing: another victory against their bitter rival (1-0), this time in the first leg of the Liga MX semifinals. Stories of happy families, fathers, mothers, and children will be told in these hours, because winning means looking toward the present built by coach Vicente Sánchez with 19 games without defeat, including another young classic.

In a Mexican soccer world where everything is suspect—due to refereeing, match-fixing in the Third Division, and the rise of betting houses now operating in most First Division clubs—the classics are also an act of conviviality. The referee doesn't need to blow the whistle for the kickoff for the passion, the rivalry, and the sweat of the players to multiply the temperature of a Cruz Azul-América match. The beer quickly runs out. Every now and then, a vendor brings a bottle of water and warns that it's for drinking, not for dunking.

More than 2,000 security personnel patrolled the streets and main entrances to the UNAM campus. The visiting team's cheerleading squad will not be allowed entry , the Liga MX warned in a statement on Wednesday. But the Americanista fans, spread out in the lower section, showed that in addition to surrendering to the joy of the stands, they fuel the antagonism toward their rivals. "I swear that on May 26th/ you'll never get over it ," they chanted, alluding to the dramatic closing of the 2013 Clausura, one of the finals won in history by both teams.

With the goal from a corner kick by Ignacio Rivero (59), the risk of tripping in the stands mattered little. There were shouts, hugs, looks to the sky, obscene signs at the visiting goalposts as the chants of "Azul, Azul!" began to be heard. For several matches now, the Uruguayan coach has built up an ironclad confidence in this squad, the conviction that they will go out and devour their opponents, even if sometimes the aesthetics don't accompany them. La Máquina turned suffering into glory. Their fans bit their nails, they didn't stop cheering or shouting, but in the end they found relief, as if that were written in the rules of the classic.

Fireworks

Rivero entered behind at least three American players – Henry Martín, Cristian Borja and Ramón Juárez –, waited for his teammate Jorge Sánchez to jump and finished behind, beating goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón with a header (59). The goal from La Máquina's captain lit up the night with fireworks. To get closer, América took advantage of the fact that their rival was still celebrating to look for the foul that took Nacho Rivero out of the game. The Spaniard Álvaro Fidalgo anticipated a ball in midfield and the Uruguayan took the bait, giving him a slide that was punished by the VAR with a red card.

Amid the complaints, referee Luis Enrique Santander also sent off Brazilian coach André Jardine for his conduct against the flag bearer. Players are replaceable in their performance, but not in their role as a team. Like Rivero, Alejandro Zendejas is another such case. The American couldn't start due to a stomach virus that kept him out of training for the week. His absence took its toll and forced América to attack in a different way, with Henry as the only reference in the box.

When Zendejas finally came on in the final minutes, Cruz Azul's defense stood like a wall. The return of Gonzalo Piovi to the center back boosted the confidence of Willer Ditta and full-backs Jorge Sánchez and Rodolfo Rotondi, a move demanded by fans and opposing forwards. Hundreds in the stands didn't have to explain how many miles they traveled to watch the match. Photographs show them wearing Cruz Azul shirts and flags, just like in the days before South American-influenced cheerleading groups.

In joy and sadness, even in the distance , La Máquina fans, young and old, shared the same emotions, worried about their return trip and yet happy about their advantage in the first leg of the semifinal. To advance to the title match, all that remains is to maintain their advantage. Any draw will give América a place in the standings due to their better position.

Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a10

Asunción. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated yesterday that fans from around the world will be welcomed to the United States for the Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14, allaying fears that new immigration restrictions imposed by the Trump administration will affect attendance.

The world will be welcome in the United States. Of course, the players and everyone involved, but also all the fans , said the world's top soccer official during his speech at the 75th Ordinary FIFA Congress being held in Asunción, Paraguay.

Let's be clear. This isn't coming from me, but from the United States government. Everyone is welcome. Those who want to come and celebrate soccer, those who want to have a good time, those who want to be with their families and friends and have an emotional time there , he added.

On the other hand, he left open the possibility of expanding the number of participating teams in the 2030 World Cup to 64, a proposal promoted by South America for the centennial of the tournament, which it will co-host with Spain and Morocco.

"It's a good idea ," the leader said, winking at CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez, who submitted the proposal to FIFA when he spoke earlier yesterday.

I invite you not to change your ideas, but to think outside the box. Let's start playing for a 2030 World Cup that will go down in history. Let no one be left out, let everyone be a part of it , Domínguez had said.

In this regard, Infantino invited everyone to analyze the proposal in upcoming meetings. "The centenary celebration is going to be something special. I want to highlight Alejandro Domínguez's words so we can all think about how we can make it the celebration it deserves. Summer is coming, along with meetings, debates, matches, and we'll come up with something, something incredible, because we always want to improve football and FIFA ," he expressed.

The conclave, attended by representatives of the 211 member associations, started two hours late due to a delay in the arrival of Infantino from his tour of the Middle East, and although the Swiss apologised to the attendees, citing problems with his flight, senior UEFA officials, including its president Aleksander Ceferin, walked out halfway through the meeting in protest at the deeply regrettable delay.

In a statement, Europe's governing body said that what appears to be simply something to satisfy private political interests does a disservice to football and seems to relegate it to the background .

During the congress, the $13 billion revenue budget for the 2023-2026 period was approved, double the amount planned for the previous four years. After a final speech in which he called for redoubled efforts to end racism in football and physical and verbal violence against referees, Infantino announced that the next ordinary FIFA meeting will be held on April 30, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada.

Europa Press, AP and AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a11

Barcelona. Barcelona's nearly four-year trudge through the wilderness, marked by the departure of Lionel Messi and the club's financial woes, is now behind them. The Blaugrana were crowned La Liga champions, achieving the domestic treble after also winning the Super Cup and Copa del Rey this season; a feat guided by coach Hansi Flick and executed by players like Lamine Yamal.

Barça regained the Spanish League crown – their 28th – after two years with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol in the Catalan derby, which was decided by a superb goal from Yamal (53) and a strike from Fermín López (90+5). With the win, the Blaugrana reached 85 points, seven more than their closest rivals, Real Madrid, with just two rounds of the season remaining.

“We've always thought positively. At Barça, you have to win titles, and three is great. We suffered after Milan (being eliminated from the Champions League ), but we're all very happy. I value this family we've created,” Flick celebrated.

The German manager's journey with the Catalans began last summer, but in his first season he has already won the domestic treble and appears to be laying the foundations for an era of success that will at least match the feats achieved in a golden age when Barcelona was led by the MSN of Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar. Now, the new trident is made up of Yamal, (Robert) Lewandowski, and Raphinha .

▲ While on the field Lamine Yamal (19) and Fermín López (who in the central image celebrates with his teammates) led the victory, on the Rambla de Barcelona everything was a party for the fans. Photo Afp

Yamal, 17, was the driving force behind the victory yesterday. The young striker scored in the 53rd minute with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box.

It was a perfect culmination of Yamal's season. He shone from start to finish for Barça, with his goals, dribbling, and playmaking, confirming himself as the next big star of world football.

López scored in stoppage time after Espanyol were reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute after Uruguayan Leandro Cabrera was sent off with a straight red card for punching Yamal in the stomach during a challenge for the ball.

This season, now with the league title, is confirmed as historic. I want to thank the players who have performed wonderfully. They play with personality, with freshness, and convey a very good feeling. We've fallen in love with this team , said Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

The return of the Blaugrana team as La Liga champions immediately sparked a series of celebrations. Barcelona's Rambla de Canaletes was filled with fans, who ignited a festive atmosphere.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a11

Mexican soccer player Mateo Chávez, who played for Chivas, was officially introduced yesterday as a new player for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, a club he will remain with for the next five years, until 2030.

After passing the necessary medical and physical examinations, the Monterrey defender reported to the Dutch team's facilities to finalize the final details of his signing. According to various media outlets, the transaction cost $2 million, and the Red and Whites would retain a percentage of his contract should the European club decide to sell him in the future.

I'm a defender who plays with a lot of intensity, and I like passing the ball and helping the attackers. The football here is very fast and attacking, which I like. AZ has a young team and always wants to improve , said the Chivas youth player in his first interview with the Dutch team, where he will wear the number 15.

Mateo fits the profile we're looking for in this position. He's comfortable on the ball, plays with grit and energy, and has already demonstrated good defensive qualities. Despite being only 21, he already gives an impression of maturity. He'll join the training camp, and we hope he'll develop even further in the coming years , said Max Huiberts, AZ Alkmaar's director of football.

"Talent, discipline, dedication, and passion are just some of the qualities that distinguish Mateo Chávez as a footballer. His departure is a tangible testament to the work being done at the Red and White youth academy to consolidate it as the best in our country.

▲ The Chivas youth player has already been introduced as the Dutch club's new signing, with whom he signed a five-year contract. Photo @AZAlkmaar

We are confident that Chávez has the personality, footballing talent, and preparation necessary to excel in his new challenge in Europe , the Guadalajara club also released a statement.

The red-and-white youth player made his debut with Chivas' first team on January 13th of last year, starting against Santos in the first matchday of the 2024 Clausura tournament. Previously, he played with Tapatío in the Liga de Expansión, a team with which he won the 2023 Clausura.

In the Primera División, the defender played 37 matches for the red and white team. He is also the fourteenth Chivas player to migrate to Europe and the first since striker José Juan Macías, who joined Getafe in Spain in 2020.

Raúl Jiménez will continue in the Premier League

Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that fellow Mexican Raúl Jiménez will continue in the English Premier League after renewing his contract with Fulham until 2026.

The club is pleased to confirm that it has extended the contracts of the attacking trio of Raúl Jiménez, Harry Wilson and Adama Traoré until June 2026. Raúl has built on his strong first season in the black and white shirt , the English club said.

Jiménez has been a key player for Fulham this season, scoring 13 goals in all competitions, making him the team's top scorer.

Europa Press and AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a11

Barcelona. Tragedy struck the Barcelona stadium. Around 13 people were injured after being run over outside the RCDE Stadium, before the match between Barcelona and Espanyol.

According to the Medical Emergency System on the social network X, four people remained in serious condition.

The situation is under control and in no way poses a risk to the people inside the sports facility , they added.

The accident occurred after a woman lost control of the vehicle she was driving, a white Peugeot 208, and hit the people in front of her. Videos show the car accelerating in the middle of the crowd and hitting the spectators, while other fans threw bottles at it.

Emergency services treated the injured and there was a large police presence.

Following the incident, the Catalan police opened an investigation to clarify the events and arrested the driver responsible.

Inside the stadium, shortly after the match began, play was halted for a few moments around the 8th minute to acknowledge the incident.

Through the PA system, the club described what happened as an accident, and referee César Soto Grado, from La Rioja, after speaking with a representative of the Mossos d'Esquadra and the delegates of both teams, announced shortly afterward that the match should resume.

▲ Although the Baja California native will undergo another surgery, she hasn't lost hope of adding another Olympic Games to her list of achievements. Photo AFP

Joshua Reyes Samano

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a12

Alexa Moreno's future in artistic gymnastics is uncertain. The Mexican revealed that so many years as a high-performance athlete have damaged her body, requiring another surgical procedure to determine whether she will compete in her fourth Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. While taking a break from acrobatics, the Baja California native decided to pivot her career to organize the Believe Cup, a tournament that will take place from June 9 to 14 at the High Performance Center in Tijuana, with the aim of inviting promising young athletes to enjoy gymnastics.

I do these kinds of projects because I'm not training. I had ankle surgery in February and I still need another one on my knee. The truth is that doing the same thing for 27 years takes its toll physically, and I want to be healthy. I'd love another Olympic cycle; if I could, I'd try. But if I notice I'm not training as I'd like to reach the right level, I don't see much point in it. "Right now, I can't decide ," she commented in a press video conference.

With a charismatic and extroverted personality, Moreno maintains her simplicity and contagious smile as she faces the organization of her first tournament in this specialty, in which the goal is clear: that the gymnasts enjoy it and have a great time .

"It's a new and somewhat different experience. The feeling of having a good time in a competition has been lost, and I've experienced it. I'll be accompanying the participants throughout the competition. It's about being close to them and showing that we do gymnastics because we love it, and that without pressure, great things can be achieved ," she added.

Moreno, who made her summer debut at Rio 2016, became the leading figure in her sport in Mexico thanks to her outstanding performances in international competitions, as well as for breaking aesthetic stereotypes in her sport by facing cyberbullying due to prejudices about her body. Last year, her career inspired a Barbie doll model.

"Seeing a Barbie made in my likeness makes me feel like I've done a good job, that I've been able to motivate other people to achieve something great. It's a huge responsibility. I like success stories, of characters who get back up after every fall. The best thing is not to be afraid to dream and take the plunge ," Moreno said at the time in a video on social media.

In response to the multiple allegations of sexual abuse against former coach Eduardo Damazo Rodríguez in Nuevo León, the world medalist expressed solidarity with the victims.

It's a really complicated issue. I don't have any experience with this type of business; I haven't experienced it in any way, either from the outside or the inside. I also don't know anyone directly involved in these types of situations; it really saddens me to know they happen, but I can't offer an opinion on how these cases might be addressed. If you're going to open your own gym, you should have certain guidelines to avoid something like this.

At the tournament she's organizing, Moreno explained her mission is to make it visually appealing to the public by implementing colorful lights and music. She also expressed her enthusiasm for the new mixed gymnastics event for Los Angeles 2028.

"I'm very excited about this new event. It's intriguing to see how they're going to implement it, because I don't think it's that clear, but I'd definitely like to participate. "That's what gymnastics needs: some kind of change ," concluded the Mexican, who remains enthusiastic about adding another Olympic title to her list.

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a12

Los Angeles. NFL team owners will vote next week on a resolution that would authorize their players to compete in the 2028 Olympic flag football tournament in Los Angeles.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the league, the matter was included on the agenda for the meeting to be held in Minnesota.

The resolution establishes the participation rules for NFL stars who, if approved, could form a new Dream Team in Los Angeles that would expand the popularity of their sport globally.

The regulations currently on the table contemplate the inclusion of a single player per team in each of the participating national teams.

Several NFL stars have expressed interest in competing for Olympic flag football medals.

Among them are quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City) and Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia), rivals in the last Super Bowl.

In flag football, which usually involves teams of five (sometimes seven) players, to stop a player you have to snatch one of the two strips of fabric attached to his hips.

This modality does not allow for physical obstruction, which significantly reduces the risk of injury, including concussions, one of the greatest dangers in American football.

▲ Australian Kaden Groves of the Alpecin team won the sprint in Naples, stage six of the Giro d'Italia, marked by a massive crash that forced several riders to retire, including favorite Jai Hindley, who suffered a concussion. Mexican Isaac del Toro (right), of the UAE Team Emirates, finished in 156th place, but remains in fifth place in the general classification. His teammate Juan Ayuso (left) is chasing the tricolor and is one position behind. Photo AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, May 16, 2025, p. a12