Thousands of fans visited Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral on June 16 to pray to a baby Jesus statue dressed in the Mexican national soccer team’s kit ahead of the World Cup [1, 2]. The statue wore a white jersey and green shorts matching the kit Mexico planned to wear in their upcoming match against South Korea on June 8 in Guadalajara [1, 2].
The practice of dressing baby Jesus figures in different outfits in Mexico dates back decades. The tradition of using a soccer kit began about 55 years ago at the San Miguel Arcangel church, coinciding with Mexico’s first World Cup hosting in 1970 [1, 2]. However, this year the San Miguel Arcangel church’s new parish priest banned the soccer kit dressing as disrespectful, sparking some outrage among football fans [1, 2].
In response, Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral displayed the baby Jesus statue in the national team shirt for the first time, meeting fans’ demand [1, 2]. Canon Manuel Corral said, "It's the first time it's been here in the cathedral... the people themselves asked for it" [1]. He also noted that supporters of other national teams, such as Colombia, came to pray: "Today, for example, we have Colombians here saying their prayers to ask for victory" [2].
Not all worshippers agreed with the practice. Mexican fan Eleazar Martinez said, "As a Catholic it's very strange for me to see the baby Jesus dressed like that. I don't really agree with it" [1].
The baby Jesus statue’s soccer kit appearance at the Metropolitan Cathedral marks a new chapter in a 55-year tradition originally started at a different church. The statue is expected to remain on display through Mexico’s World Cup matches this summer [1, 2].