Why Mexico's coach has the nickname "Vasco"

Mexico's coach at the 2026 World Cup, Javier Aguirre is known by Mexican fans by an unusual nickname, at least for the Brazilian public: "El Vasco", or just "Vasco".

Aguirre will be leading the team, on Tuesday night (30), in the most difficult challenge of the World Cup so far: the round of 32 duel against Ecuador, at 10pm (Brasília time), at the Azteca Stadium - follow in REAL TIME.

But, after all, what is the origin of the nickname? Before explaining, let's make it clear: it has nothing to do with Vasco da Gama, be it the Rio club or the historic Portuguese navigator.

The reason lies in Aguirre's family origin, who comes from the Basque Country, an autonomous community that is part of Spain. In Spanish, the translation of the word "Basque" is actually "vasco".

The parents of the former player and current coach were born in cities in the Basque Country - Guernica and Ispaster - and migrated to Mexico in the 1950s, years before Javier Aguirre was born.

"El Vasco" in charge of Mexico
Aguirre is in his third and best cycle as coach of El Tri, the Mexican team's nickname for its tricolor uniform (green, red and white).

In total, he led Mexico in 91 matches, with 57 wins, 17 draws and 17 defeats. In the current period, there are 20 wins, 8 draws and only 4 defeats.

In front of the crowd that fills the Azteca Stadium, Aguirre is now trying to at least repeat Mexico's historic campaigns as host of the World Cup - in 1970 and 1986, El Tri reached the quarter-finals.

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Source: CNN