We're not enemies, it's just a sport: Sofía Vergara on the World Cup
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
LOS ANGELES – Colombian actress Sofía Vergara is making a strong call to the Hispanic community to embrace a historic World Cup that transcends racial, political, and religious differences, a message of unity she promotes as an ambassador for Telemundo. "This is a moment to have fun, to be happy, to have peace, to be companions, to be brothers... to have tolerance. We are not enemies in the world, it's just a sport," Vergara stated in an interview with EFE. The star of iconic series like the comedy "Modern Family" and Netflix's miniseries "Griselda" reflects on the intensity with which soccer is experienced in her native Colombia, an energy that is hard to replicate in the United States. "The passion, the energy, and what we have for that sport cannot be compared to what is felt in this country," she admits. However, she notes that the U.S. is gradually catching on to the Latin spirit for soccer, partly due to the fervor that the predominantly Hispanic community brings to a sport traditionally called "soccer." The massive wave of migrants has transformed the sports landscape, turning this major competition, which begins in Mexico on June 11 at Estadio Azteca, into a bridge that reconnects her with childhood memories. "When I think of the World Cup, I always think of how exciting it was when I lived in Colombia," she recalls. For Vergara, the World Cup taking place in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada is more than just a television sports event; it represents a ritual rooted in family heritage. "We always like to eat, shout, and fight. (The World Cup) is about being with family, having fun, and feeling the energy and excitement together," she confesses. Looking back, she reminisces about the 1994 World Cup held in the U.S., a golden era for Colombian soccer with figures like René Higuita and Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama. "For us, they were gods, and every match, every emotion of that World Cup was incredible," she remembers. This year will be no different for Vergara, who will support the Colombian national team in their journey through the competition. "My favorite team has to be Colombia, of course. Plus, this year we have James Rodríguez, who seems to be in his last World Cup, and that will be very emotional for Colombians," she adds. As a Telemundo ambassador, the network that exclusively broadcasts the men's and women's national team matches in Spanish across the U.S. until 2030, Vergara advocates for experiencing the tournament with a Spanish accent, a key element in the current demographic context of the United States. "It's not the same in English. Yes, it's fine, but hearing the goal shout with the people we know... Our language, our roots, it's all ours. For me, the excitement of soccer as a Latino has to be in Spanish, without a doubt," she argues. Additionally, the Colombian takes advantage of the massive audience of a World Cup to promote a public health campaign called "Check: Detect the SOS," aimed at preventing diabetes, hypertension, and kidney failure among Hispanics through a urine test. "Latinos make up a huge number of people suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. And those are the people at risk of kidney failure, stroke, and heart attack without knowing it," she warns. In a sport historically considered male-dominated, where women are increasingly making their mark, Vergara distances herself from any label as a sports role model, although she proudly applauds the rise and strength of female players. "I didn't grow up watching women play soccer... At first, I thought, 'Oh no, it's too rough for a woman,' but now I realize we can do it just as well. People love it; I think they enjoy watching women play soccer more than men," she concludes.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
