The Mexican national team made headlines Sunday by returning a lavish gift from a popular YouTuber, just hours before their crucial Round of 16 showdown against England. The squad collectively decided to give back a set of Rolex watches presented by Stephen Deleonardis, better known as Stevewilldoit, after his high-stakes bet on Mexico paid off.
Deleonardis, who lives in Mexico and has been vocally backing El Tri throughout the tournament, posted a video titled "THE WORLD CUP HAS CHANGED MY LIFE" over the weekend. In it, he revealed he had wagered $2 million on Mexico to defeat Ecuador in their group-stage match, netting a $1 million profit. He then used those winnings to buy luxury watches for every player and staff member on the team.
However, the gesture quickly created a potential conflict with FIFA's strict regulations on gifts. According to FIFA's code of ethics, gifts cannot be offered or accepted "as a way of influencing" anyone bound by the code, or if they create a conflict of interest. Violations can result in fines of at least 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,500) and a ban from football-related activity for up to two years.
Mexico's football federation confirmed the decision in a statement on social media, saying the players unanimously agreed to return the watches to the content creator. The move came as a surprise to Deleonardis, who had earlier posted a photo with the team and expressed his love for Mexico and its football squad.
"I gave every single player/staff on Mexico team an expensive watch .. this was before they dominated Ecuador!!! How confident I was. BOOOOOOOOM. New YouTube video 8:30 eastern!! I love u guys. I love you Mexico. I love you Mexican football team. BOOM," he wrote.
The incident adds an unusual twist to what promises to be a thrilling match. Mexico and England are set to face off in Mexico City on Sunday evening, with kickoff moved earlier due to a storm threat. The game is part of a packed World Cup schedule that includes other high-stakes contests.
While the watch return has sparked debate among fans, it highlights the seriousness with which FIFA treats potential breaches of its ethics rules. For Mexico, the focus now shifts entirely to the pitch, where they aim to advance past a talented English side in front of a home crowd.
This isn't the first time a World Cup team has faced scrutiny over off-field matters. Earlier in the tournament, USMNT star Folarin Balogun handled a controversial ban with class, and Canada's coach Jesse Marsch drew criticism for his post-exit comments. But Mexico's decision to return the gifts stands out as a rare example of a team proactively avoiding potential sanctions.
As the drama unfolds, Deleonardis has not publicly commented on the return, but his earlier posts suggest he remains a passionate supporter of the Mexican squad. Whether the team can deliver a performance worthy of his confidence—without the watches—remains to be seen.
