Mexican fan finally gets his Russian wish

ONE of the better fan stories of the group stages centred around a group of Mexican supporters who brought a lifesized cardboard cut-out of their friend to the tournament.

His wife had banned him from attending, and his pals decided to broadcast the fact that he was under the thumb to the wider world. Their excuse was that they had the entire trip planned before Javier left them a man short.

If this was part of an elaborate blackmail campaign then it worked as Russian media reported over the weekend that Javier had in fact managed to make it along for Mexico’s famous win over Germany.

Upon his arrival in Russia, he was duly interviewed about his new status, with Javier on message and suggesting his wife’s role was overplayed.

“We just had some disagreements about the trip,” he said, diplomatically.

Oddly, he was then pictured posing with some Russian women, an error that might rule him out of future trips.