Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the soccer hero beloved by Mexicans and cursed by many a US soccer follower, has decided to call it quits after his team’s World Cup qualifier against Canada Wednesday night. The match was a milestone, Blanco’s 100th, which may in part have been the reason he decided to retire during this run. But the AP has reported that he may have not reached that number because different outlets are putting that figure anywhere from 99-105 matches, leading to the time like in Mr. 3000 when Blanco has to come back for “the big game” to lead Mexico back to the World Cup. Or maybe he’s actually content being on Fire in Chicago, where he’s only second to Beckham in MLS’s salary roll.

“The decision was already made,” Blanco, 35, said after the game. “I’m content. I believe that my time in the selection is done. I’ve decided, I think my spell with the national team has finished.”

“It was my own decision, I’ve always said that you have to retire on time, and I’m leaving with the love from the fans,” Blanco said at the end of the match. “I made this decision and I’m not changing it for anything on the world.”

Well, stay bitter Cuauhtémoc. A country awaits your possible return to piss off anyone within fifteen yards of you on the pitch.

Mr. White Gets to 100 Caps (Maybe), Walks Away [NY Times]
Image [u-l-m-a.com]