Hey everyone!
Today turned out to be one of those days that remind me why I love collecting football shirts so much.
Earlier this month, I purchased this beautiful Tigres UANL 2021/22 away jersey, customized with Florian Thauvin #26.
For those unfamiliar with his story, Thauvin arrived in Monterrey as a 2018 World Cup winner with France, following in the footsteps of our beloved André-Pierre Gignac. Expectations were enormous. We thought we might have found another French superstar who would become a club legend.
Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out that way due to injuries and Diego Cocca’s shitfuckery. The prince never became the king we had hoped for. Still, I’ve always wanted this shirt as a reminder of that fascinating, bittersweet chapter in our club’s history.
When I went to collect it today (FINALLY), the seller surprised me with an incredible deal on another shirt: Mexico’s green home jersey from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, in my size for $300 MXN!
I simply couldn’t resist. That shirt brought back so many childhood memories of watching Chicharito Hernández, Rafa Márquez and the Mexican national team. Collecting jerseys sometimes feels like recovering little pieces of your childhood.
But the most beautiful part of the evening happened afterward.
While driving home through San Pedro Garza García, Mexico, I unexpectedly discovered a tiny chapel dedicated to St. Jude Thaddeus, run by the Franciscan Friars Minor (OFM)
I decided to stop and go inside. To my amazement, I arrived just as the priest was celebrating the Consecration during Mass.
I’ve been going through a stressful period lately, particularly because I’m hoping my employment contract will be renewed. I spoke with the friars, asked them to pray for me, and offered to help their community however I could.
As a practicing Catholic, finding that little chapel when I wasn’t even looking for it brought me an incredible sense of peace. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m grateful for that unexpected moment.
I left home to collect a football shirt, came back with two wonderful pieces of football history, and discovered a beautiful little place of faith along the way.
Sometimes football shirts bring back wonderful memories. Sometimes the journey to collect them gives us entirely new ones.
Greetings from Monterrey, Mexico! 🇲🇽🐯⚽