Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s first name roughly translates to “one that has descended like an eagle.” It is a fitting translation for the man that took Mexican soccer by storm over twenty years ago. He is known now as a legend, the face of Club America during the 1990s. His unique, unorthodox, and undeniable skill was and is the perfect representation of Mexican flair, the kind that deserves to represent the more cosmopolitan of the twin giants of Mexican soccer: America and Chivas de Guadalajara. His career has now received the victorious curtain call that it deserved: Blanco is retiring a champion.
Blanco only played in 20 minutes of Puebla’s Copa MX winning performance over Chivas de Guadalajara. But that doesn't matter. At 42, the same age as Zinedine Zidane, he has proved all that he needs to prove on the field. What he brings to Puebla, how he helped them win the match, is the presence of character that he has built throughout his entire career. Blanco’s greatness is an example that Puebla can look to, a walking reminder of all they can attain by playing the game they love.
After the game, Blanco was clearly caught up in the moment. Reporters surrounded him, hoping to capture the last moments of his professional career.
The eagle is now on its way towards the sunset on the horizon, we can only hope one like him will descend again soon.
