Ibai Llanos's 'Ecuador is better than Mexico' comment sparks controversy before World Cup qualifier

Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos ignited a social media firestorm by declaring Ecuador better prepared than Mexico for their upcoming World Cup qualifier. Llanos, known for events like "La Velada del Año," stated his support for Ecuador, despite acknowledging that the majority of his followers are Mexican.

"Mexicans are the kings of the community, they give us the most audience... they are our bosses, that's the reality. I've gone with Ecuador, that's what I feel in my heart," Llanos said. He added that while the match would be close, he believed Ecuador was the stronger team.

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Mexicans are the kings of the community, they give us the most audience… they are our bosses, that's the reality. I've gone with Ecuador, that's what I feel in my heart.

The streamer's remarks quickly drew sharp criticism from Mexican netizens. Many warned Llanos he risked losing his followers, citing past instances where Mexican culture was perceived as being belittled. Comments flooded social media, with users stating, "We're going to stop following Ibai," and "Don't mess with Mexicans."

Some users defended Llanos, suggesting the context was misunderstood or that his point was valid. However, the prevailing sentiment among many Mexican fans was that his comments were a misstep, particularly given the strong support he receives from their community.

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I think Ecuador is better than Mexico but if I see what has happened in this World Cup, I see it very even.