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Gianni Infantino calls Estadio Azteca a 'cathedral blessed by the gods of football'
🇲🇽 Mexico /Sports

Gianni Infantino calls Estadio Azteca a 'cathedral blessed by the gods of football'

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the historic Estadio Azteca as a "cathedral blessed by the gods of football."
  • The stadium will be the first in the world to host the opening match of the World Cup three times.
  • Infantino highlighted the stadium's legacy, noting it hosted World Cup finals won by Pelé and Maradona.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has lauded the iconic Estadio Azteca, calling it a "cathedral blessed by the gods of football." The legendary Mexican stadium is set to make history as the first venue worldwide to host the opening match of the FIFA World Cup for a third time.

In this stadium Pelé and Maradona won the World Cup, in this stadium was played the Game of the Century when Italy beat Germany in 70, here is where Manuel Negrete scored a beautiful goal, and it is a stadium that will have three opening matches, a cathedral of football and definitely is part of the world and is blessed by the gods of sport.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino praising the Estadio Azteca.

During a press conference, Infantino expressed his deep admiration for the stadium, which has witnessed some of the most significant moments in sports history. He recalled that legends like Pelé and Maradona won World Cups there, and it was the site of the "Game of the Century" between Italy and Germany in 1970. He also mentioned Manuel Negrete's spectacular goal as another highlight.

It is a unique emotion for me to be in this stadium inaugurating the 23rd World Cup. My dad used to tell me about this stadium, and it seemed like something from another planet.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino on his personal connection to the Estadio Azteca.

Infantino shared a personal connection, mentioning how his father used to tell him stories about the stadium's grandeur from the 1970 World Cup, making it seem "like something from another planet." He emphasized the unique emotion of inaugurating the 23rd World Cup at such a historic venue.

I believe this stadium is blessed by the gods of football because it is incredible to host the third opening match of a World Cup, of the first that is organized in three countries which is important because Mexico, United States and Canada work jointly.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino on the significance of Estadio Azteca hosting a third World Cup opening match.

"I believe this stadium is blessed by the gods of football because it is incredible to host the third opening match of a World Cup," Infantino stated. He also noted the significance of the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, highlighting the collaborative effort. Infantino concluded by saying the "magic of the Azteca" will play an important role in the opening match, underscoring the stadium's enduring allure and its place in football lore.

the magic of the Azteca is going to play an important role.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino on the influence of Estadio Azteca during the World Cup opening match.
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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