Feed MRSS-S javier_zanetti_a, english.elpais.com en-us https://english.elpais.com Sat, 20 Jun 2026 03:30:00 GMT https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-06-20/the-ezlns-utopian-soccer.html Sat, 20 Jun 2026 03:30:00 GMT https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-06-20/the-ezlns-utopian-soccer.html Zedryk Raziel,David Marcial Pérez The subversive Indigenous organization had a marked passion for the game and dreamed of staging big matches, one of them against Inter Milan, an attempt that failed. There was, however, a match in 1999 between the Zapatistas and a team of veteran Mexico internationals The subversive Indigenous organization had a marked passion for the game and dreamed of staging big matches, one of them against Inter Milan, an attempt that failed. There was, however, a match in 1999 between the Zapatistas and a team of veteran Mexico internationals México EZLN Inter Milan Javier Aguirre Chiapas Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León Javier Zanetti Massimo Moratti Maradona Jorge Valdano Franco Origlia (Getty Images) Zapatista children with an Inter Milan coach in November 2011 in Chiapas. Zapatista children with an Inter Milan coach in November 2011 in Chiapas. <p>When the Zapatistas emerge from the tunnel and step onto the pitch, the crowd breaks into a chant: “E-Zeta-Ele-Ene! E-Zeta-Ele-Ene!” Enthusiasm is overwhelming for a team of 11 diminutive men who arrive wearing their inevitable balaclavas and shorts and jerseys that are far too large for them. From the start the match is uneven. Soldiers of the <a href="https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-06-01/mexicos-zapatistas-warn-chiapas-is-on-the-verge-of-civil-war.html" target="_self" rel="" title="https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-06-01/mexicos-zapatistas-warn-chiapas-is-on-the-verge-of-civil-war.html">Zapatista Army of National Liberation</a> (EZLN) face a side of veteran Mexico footballers captained by Javier Aguirre, “El Vasco.” It is an unusual Monday, March 15, 1999. The event draws 6,000 people to the Jesús Martínez Palillo stadium in downtown Mexico City. Contemporary accounts say the Zapatistas were thin, dark-skinned and no taller than 1.65 meters, and they didn’t even warm up before the match. They were about to chase the ball in their military boots, but several fans sympathized and lent them pairs of sneakers.</p><p><a href="https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-06-20/the-ezlns-utopian-soccer.html" target="_blank">Seguir leyendo</a></p>