26 year old Brazilian futbol superestrella Ronaldinho has decided to hang up his soccer cleats. Currentky playing for Barcelona, he says he’s had enough of all the pressure come from the media and has more than enough money to live the rest of his life well. He said:
Lo que hago no lo hago por el dinero. Empecé a jugar al fútbol porque era lo que más me gustaba, soñaba con jugar en Europa.
Some say that Ronaldinho never got over the World Cup loss.
It’s on! A short time ago the 2006 FIFA World Cup was officially opened. German uber-model Claudia Schiffer and futbol legend Pele opened the Mundial carrying the golden World Cup. This was follwed by a parade of the countries who have won World Cups into the Munich stadium. A catchy musical performance followed featuring German singer Herbert Gronemeyer and African duo Amadou & Mariam.
Now we are officially into the first game of the Copa Mundial with Costa Rica facing the home country team of Germany. Not even 18 minutes into the first half, we have Germany ahead 2-1. Germany scored a golaso within the first three minutes. If what I’m watching now is any indication, this is going to be an amazing Copa Mundial. I need to go grab a beer. This is good.
Keep track of what’s going on with the Copa at the official FIFA World Cup Website.
2:35 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Marketing|Politics|Sports · Comments Off
8 Jun 2006
A group of Democrats are dedicating 2 million big ones to an initiative to get Latinos won over to the party via an ad campaign that will run during the 2006 World Cup, according to AP:
Simon Rosenberg, president of the New Democrat Network, said the group wants to use a “major sport like soccer to brand Democrats for a wider audience.”
The TV ad shows an empty soccer field as an announcer says: “For years now, we’ve been awaiting this moment. Our country is again ready to return to being the great nation that all of us always dreamed of. Get involved. It’s up to you.”
The radio ad will air in 70 markets all over the country.
Personally, while definitely a way to target Latinos en masse, I’m wondering if this campaign will be effective. The World Cup, perhaps more than any other sporting event in the world, is a way to escape, to dream, to imagine and to celebrate the sport as a culture. I think the last thing on people’s minds is the state of the country and how a political party might change that. Caught up in the revelry and emotion, it’s hard to remember that as a nation we’re in crisis.
Thoughts?
Via / Que Pasa

Last night was an exciting night for Mexico, as they won their first Under 17 World Cup in soccer. These kids have really given their country something to talk about: Beating Brazil 3-0, Mexico continues to celebrate.
For more details on the game, check out the FIFA Official site or thisFIFA U-17 World Cup blog. In Spanish, see El Universal’s coverage.
VivirLatino is a daily publication published by Mamita Mala Media, dedicated to featuring all the latest politics, culture, entertainment of interest to the diverse Latin@ diaspora.
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