Mexican Soccer Team Plucks Eyebrows As Expression Of Unity

During an intense soccer match in which players tumble for the ball, get drenched in sweat and dirt cakes onto their jerseys, it doesn't appear the time to be making a fashion statement. Javier Hernández, Pablo Barrera and Andrés Guardado of the Mexican national soccer team, if an observer looks carefully, do.

It all started in the changing room at the Reliant stadium in Houston before a friendly match against Nigeria. The three set a trend that carries on among the squad even today: a single cut in the eyebrow. The trio invited everyone on El Tri to participate as a way to put the team's unity on display by maintaining a consistent appearance with one another both on and off the field.

"There [in the changing room] they looked around. Then Pablo Barrera, Guardado, Chicarito [decided] ... And there some went to follow their lead," Francisco Javier Rodriguez told reporters. "That shows the unity we have as a group and we should move forward that way."

Since this started, however, Mexico has found itself disappointed, tying and losing more games than its been winning and recently being eliminated from the Confederations Cup, winning but one game. Not everyone on the squad has participated, however, such as José de Jesús Corona, Carlos Salcido, Gerardo Torrado, Aldo de Nigris and Alfredo Talavera. Players said that the decision not to participate has nothing to do with disjointedness on the team.

"Some [players] cut their eyebrow, which is respectable," Rodriguez said. "I didn't do it because I have a 10-year-old son and later on he's going to want to do something similar, and how would I justify to him not to do it?"

Héctor Moreno, Jorge Torres Nilo, Giovani dos Santos and Javier Aquino are among those who participate in the ritual. Players said that the recent damper on the squad's record does not make them shy away from continuing this gesture.