MEXICO CITY, Nov 22 (Archyde.com) – Mexico City faithful have visited the Parroquia de San Gabriel Arcángel at every World Cup since 1970, and on Tuesday their prayers at the statue of baby Jesus dressed in the national team’s uniform national seem to have been heard.
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa magnificently saved a second-half penalty from Poland captain Robert Lewandowski, and the “Tri” began the tournament in Qatar with a goalless draw.
“I think that seeing him dressed like this will bring unity and hope, and thus be able to advance in each game,” Father José Guadalupe Godínez said of the statue in an interview with the Mexican newspaper Milenio.
The religious figure – known as the “Niño de los Milagros” – wears the full uniform of the Mexican national team, accompanied by a ball and a flag, all donated by parishioners.
“I think that the fans, before the game starts, commend themselves before God and those parishioners look for some way to express their faith in this original idea,” Godinez said.
Mexico will be hoping for continued good luck on Saturday when they face an injured Argentina beaten 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in their Group C opener.
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City)
