Former Mexico City mayor becomes viral sensation at World Cup after fan attention

Sandra Cuevas, a former mayor of Mexico City’s Cuauhtémoc borough, has been forced to address a wave of social media attention after her presence in the stands and fan zones at the World Cup drew widespread comment online.

Cuevas, 40, has been a visible and enthusiastic supporter of El Tri throughout the tournament, celebrating in stadiums, streets and fan zones as Mexico secured victories over South Africa and South Korea to advance to the round of 32.

The attention directed at Cuevas led to comparisons with Mar Castro, the iconic model affectionately nicknamed “Chiquitibum” who became a cultural phenomenon during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Rather than taking offence, Cuevas embraced the parallel with characteristic good humour.

“The Chiquitibum… well, guys, what can I do, I can’t just take them off,” she said in a social media statement. “They had already nicknamed me that in 1986 and it amuses me, I like it. I don’t take it as an attack — there will be those who think that way and take it in a derogatory way, but that’s how we Mexicans are.”

Cuevas has a well-established profile in Mexican politics, having represented the Party of the Democratic Revolution and worked alongside the National Action Party and Institutional Revolutionary Party during a period of coalition government. She currently serves as a Mexico City coordinator for the Mexico Nuevo political movement, which is seeking official registration as a recognised party.

Her high-profile support has coincided with a strong start for Mexico, who are one of three nations already through to the knockout stage. El Tri have reached the World Cup quarter-finals just twice in their history and will be targeting a deeper run as the tournament progresses.