Annie Leibovitz photographs Mexican footballers for World Cup, opens exhibition in Mexico City

Renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz has returned to Mexico after a decade to unveil her latest exhibition, "Futbol," at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. The collection features portraits of prominent Mexican national team footballers, including Edson Álvarez, Memo Ochoa, and Néstor Quiñones, who are set to represent the country in the upcoming World Cup.

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This is so Mexican. It gets lost in translation, maybe they didn't know we were going to come.

Leibovitz described the atmosphere at the museum's opening as "so Mexican," referencing a moment of confusion when the exhibition hall was initially closed. Despite the minor hiccup, she embraced a museum guard for a photo opportunity, adding a touch of warmth to the event. The exhibition, running until August 30, marks Leibovitz's return to a theme she explored during the 1986 World Cup campaign in Mexico.

This new series diverges from Leibovitz's typical high-profile celebrity portraits for publications like Vogue and Vanity Fair. Instead, she focused on capturing the essence of the players themselves, stating, "I'm not interested in models, I'm interested in people." The photographic sessions took place on local pitches, a deliberate choice to move away from glamour and connect with the sport's roots.

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I'm not interested in models, I'm interested in people.

The concept for "Futbol" was inspired by a 1981 portrait of Pelé's feet, taken in mud. Leibovitz recalled that the athlete's sponsor initially objected to the image, preferring a shot with new shoes. However, Pelé himself suggested playing barefoot, leading to the iconic photograph. Leibovitz expressed that she is still working on the series, aiming to photograph more players and potentially capture fans at matches, indicating her ongoing dedication to the project.

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I was a little embarrassed because the series hasn't reached the result I want yet, I still have players to photograph.