Scottish football icons rally behind Mexico ahead of England clash
Three legendary figures from Scottish football have expressed their support for Mexico in a playful advertisement released prior to England’s knockout stage match in the World Cup. Graeme Souness, Charlie Nicholas, and Gordon Strachan are featured in the campaign, adorned in Mexican-themed outfits, pledging their allegiance to El Tri just before Monday’s last-16 encounter, reports BritPanorama.
The much-anticipated match will be held at the historic Azteca Stadium, with kick-off slated for 1am. Following Scotland’s exit from the tournament after a disappointing group stage, the trio’s enthusiasm appears to be rooted in a desire to see England’s campaign come to an end at the hands of the co-hosts.
The advertisement begins with Souness dramatically smashing a piñata shaped like the number 66 — a nod to England’s solitary World Cup triumph. “We Mexico fans are laid back, but we still have a ferocious will to win,” he declares, highlighting an underlying competitive spirit. “Something our next opponents are going to experience first hand, whoever that may be,” he adds.
Nicholas enters the scene dressed in a Mexican wrestling costume, adopting a comical accent as he extols the virtues of the national team. “Being a Los Azteca is all about passion; we may not always win, but we will fight to the end,” he insists, capturing the vibrant atmosphere typical of Mexican football culture. To punctuate his enthusiasm, he is shown munching on a baked bean sandwich and humorously affirming, “I bloody love tacos.”
Strachan makes a memorable appearance dressed as a mariachi band member, quipping that he joined his first mariachi group at 69—his current age. The former Scotland manager also shares his take on the high-energy environment of the Azteca: “The atmosphere, the intensity, the altitude, I’m telling you, we are a match for anyone on our own patch.”
The lighthearted tone of the advertisement culminates with all three former players exclaiming, “Vamos Mexico,” reflecting their enthusiastic backing. As Nicholas insists his support for Mexico is not solely due to their opposition to England, Souness admits to being unaware of the next match-up for El Tri.
As England prepares for its challenging matchup against Mexico at 1am, the co-hosts are notably strong at the Azteca Stadium, having lost just twice in this iconic venue’s high-altitude conditions. Manager Thomas Tuchel has expressed concerns about his team’s lack of acclimatization to the rigorous environment in Mexico City.
Should the Three Lions triumph, they will advance to face either Brazil or Norway in the quarter-finals, adding further intensity to a clash that is already steeped in national pride.
As the footballing world waits with bated breath for what might unfold, the playful jibe from Souness, Nicholas, and Strachan serves as a reminder of the quirky intersections between sports and rivalry, where even legends can choose sides—if only for a laugh.
