“We’re really excited to see the stadium and to get this World Cup buzz going. We’re really happy, even though Cristiano (Ronaldo) stood us up. But we’re still really happy,” one fan said.
The friendly match against Portugal proceeded without the Portuguese captain, who was absent from the lineup.
“Yes, we came for the spectacle. We’d have loved to see Cristiano, especially for the kids’ sake, but it’s going to be a real boost for the national team because it means we’ll all be fully behind. Otherwise, we might have been divided,” another supporter added.
Tight Security and Protests
Road closures and a large security operation made for a long walk to reach the gates, but many said the measures were expected for an event of this scale.
Protesters staged a demonstration on a major highway near the stadium, turning it into a makeshift football pitch to highlight what they said were shortages of housing, water, transport, and electricity in the area.
Fatal Incident at Stadium
Inside the stadium, the festive atmosphere was overshadowed by a fatal incident shortly before kickoff, when a man died after falling from a box seat area, according to local authorities.
Despite the tragedy, the reopening marked a significant milestone in Mexico’s preparations to co-host the World Cup, with the Azteca set to play a central role in the tournament.
Based on reporting by Reuters. Additional analysis by The Credibility News.
