September 15 and 16 are two of the most important days for Mexicans, as they frame the celebrations of Mexico’s Independence Day, however, There was a year that Mexicans not only celebrated with the traditional festivalswere also able to enjoy the opening day of the UEFA Champions League.
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During the two days of the first day of the Group Stage, all Mexicans were able to enjoy the national holidays accompanied of what many consider to be the best football tournament in the world.
Why did the Champions League start on Mexico’s Independence Day?
During the 2015-2016 season, the Group Stage curiously coincided with the national celebrations of September 15 and 16, were held on Tuesday and Wednesday, the same days on which UEFA schedules Champions League matches.
With a total of 16 matches, fans were able to enjoy the best teams on the European continent and even, at that time, A total of six Mexicans took part in the first day of the Champions League.
On September 15th, Andrés Guardado and Héctor Moreno were active in PSV Eindhoven’s match against Manchester Unitedwhere the Rayados youth team central defender even scored the equalizing goal after a header that was deflected by the Dutchman Daley Blind.
On 16 September, Javier Hernández got on the scoresheet in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-1 win over BATE Borisov. “Chicharito” scored the third goal after a great right-footed shot which left goalkeeper Syarhey Chernik with no options.
Finally, the Mexicans’ activity concluded with Porto’s 2-2 draw against Dynamo kyiv, at that time, Hector Herrera, Miguel Layun and “Tecatito” Corona played for the Dragons.
Which Mexicans have won the Champions League?
Several Mexicans have had the opportunity to play in the most important club tournament in the world, however, only two were able to win it, Rafael Márquez managed to do it twicethe first in 2006 alongside Frank Rijkaard and the second in 2009 with Pep Guardiola as coach and alongside Jonathan Dos Santoswho despite only playing one match was enough to be part of the team decorated as champion.
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Javier Hernández also came close to winning it with Manchester United in 2011, although Pep Guardiola’s Barça completely crushed the Red Devils, denying them the chance to win La Orejona.
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