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Adriano Zendejas, 'El Shifu,' sparks controversy by bringing pyrotechnics and batucada to England's hotel; faked being a
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Adriano Zendejas, 'El Shifu,' sparks controversy by bringing pyrotechnics and batucada to England's hotel; faked being a reporter

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Mexican influencer Adriano Zendejas, known as "El Shifu," caused controversy by organizing a batucada and using pyrotechnics outside the English team's hotel.
  • Videos show Zendejas pretending to be a reporter covering the event before the commotion began.
  • Despite security measures, a group gathered, but the noise was unlikely to have disturbed the players due to the distance.

The pre-match atmosphere for the anticipated Mexico vs. England World Cup 2026 match was disrupted by a controversy involving Mexican influencer Adriano Zendejas, widely known as "El Shifu." Zendejas is accused of orchestrating a batucada, a Brazilian-style percussion ensemble, and setting off pyrotechnics in front of the English national team's hotel.

Compounding the issue, videos circulating on social media show Zendejas seemingly impersonating a journalist to cover the event. In the footage, he is heard commenting on the supposed tranquility around the hotel, attributing it to security measures and stating that the English players would rest undisturbed. He even sarcastically remarked that it would be a "miracle of God" if pyrotechnics and a batucada appeared behind him.

There is no noise, no scandal. A good match is expected tomorrow. With rested players, with players eager to win [...] we are prepared that even if there is no commotion [...] the English will sleep.

— Adriano ZendejasZendejas's commentary while pretending to be a reporter outside the English team's hotel, before the batucada and pyrotechnics began.

Moments later, his prediction turned ironic as the drumming and fireworks commenced. Approximately 50 individuals managed to gather near the JW Marriott hotel in Santa Fe, despite a robust security detail designed to protect the English team. The batucada and pyrotechnics were initiated around 1:00 AM, intended to create a festive pre-game environment.

However, the article suggests that the noise and spectacle were unlikely to have significantly impacted the English players' rest due to the considerable distance between the gathering and the hotel. The incident has sparked debate online, with users questioning the influencer's actions and the appropriateness of such disruptions ahead of a major sporting event.

It would be a miracle of God if pyrotechnics and a batucada appeared behind me... that will not happen.

— Adriano ZendejasZendejas's ironic statement made just before the batucada and pyrotechnics started.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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