14 March 2014, 02:09 PM IST
As we slowly made our way through the grid-locked traffic in Mexico City — very reminiscent of the Indian traffic except that nobody honks as much as we do — towards Estadio Azteca, which is located in the southern tip of capital city, the first thing that catches your eye is the magnificent Sol Rojo, the famous `Red Sun' symbol of the iconic stadium.
Named after the Aztecs who ruled this region before the Spanish conquest, the Azteca is the third biggest football stadium in the world as it can hold 1, 05,000 people. The young guide — inexplicably doing a stadium tour tottering on 4-inch heels - vaguely said when asked about the two in front: "One is in Korea and another in India." Google supplied the replies: Rungrado May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea is the biggest as it can hold an incredible 1.5 lakh people followed by our Salt Lade Stadium in Kolkata with a 1.2 lakh capacity.
It isn't Azteca's sheer size that makes it a footballing shrine but the fact that it is the only stadium to have hosted two World Cup finals. And, what finals they were. The 1970 edition in which Pele's Brazilians' joga bonito brand of football mesmerized the world as they took down Italy and the 1986 one in which Diego Maradona left an indelible mark.
If this isn't enough, the match often referred to as the greatest of all time — the 1970 World Cup semifinal between Italy and West Germany which the Azzurri won 4-3 in extra time — the match in which Franz Beckenbauer played throughout with his arm in a sling - was also at Azteca. Obviously, Azteca is not for the ordinary. It got to host its second World Cup finals when Colombia had to pull out due to domestic violence.
And, what a treat the 1986 final was. In fact, Maradona's presence looms large at Azteca. His famous `Hand of God' goal was scored here as well as the `Goal of the Century' — his earlier goal against England in the same match.
In the tunnel leading to the pitch are large posters of the giants who parlayed their skills here; including the one that frames the `Hand of God' moment for posterity. One is bemused looking at it here's the fairly tiny Maradona (only 5 ft 5 inches) out-jumping the English goalkeeper Peter Shilton (6ft) to punch the ball in.
The dressing room of the local team -Club America which kitted by Nike — is like any other except that it has a sloping ceiling. 'Why?' asks our guide with a look that says, 'you are never going to guess.' We don't. On top are the stands of the club's most fanatic supporters so that the massive din they make can inspire the footballers below as they ready for the match!
As we step into the stadium, despite hearing about its size and reputation, one is still awestruck to see the tiers upon tiers stacked up to the very sun that it symbolizes. Even the former world cup winning Italian footballer and Nike athlete, Marco Materazzi, who is with us on the tour takes lots of pictures and selfies with his phone. At the end of one bleacher is the statue of the most loyal club supporter - one who attended every single game the team played at the stadium for 10 straight years - who was given lifetime free passes for himself and friends. "Guess, what happened next?" our young, tottering guide asks again. "He moved to San Francisco the very next year!" is the triumphant reply.
As we all took pictures and tried to visualize what it must look and feel like when it's full capacity(average attendance is close to 60,000) or when the Mexican national team, the El Tri, plays, we headed out through the entrance guarded by the imposing Sol Rojo with memories for a lifetime.
Azteca: Fast facts
Only stadium to host two world cup finals; in 1970 & 1986.
Seats 1.05 lakh people; third largest football stadium in the word.
Nicknamed Il Coloso de Santa Úrsula or the Colossus of Saint Úrsula because of its imposing size.
Opened in 1966 it was renovated in 1986 to host the World Cup for the second time when Colombia that had been awarded the games had to pull out due to political instability.
Is home to Mexico City's 'Club America' team and also to the Mexican national team, El Tri.
Designed by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez.
It is built on the grounds of an extinguished volcano, Xitle.
The playing field is situated 31 feet under ground level.
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