Saphia's Blog

They stuck out like a sore thumb in the crowd of downtown Toronto. Five Mexican fans at the Soccer Nation event put on by CBC. It was hard to miss them with the sombreros, the flags, blow-horns and screams of VIVA Mexico!

However, after just a few minutes of talking with them, not even the outfits and noisemakers could come close to how heightened their passion was.

Brimming from ear to ear, about to watch the first match of the 2010 World Cup. And, their team was getting ready to place their shoes on the pitch and play the hosts, South Africa.

Joseph Nahmias, the man with the sombrero, has been to four different World Cups to see Mexico play. "I loved watching them in Germany, I didn't get to go to Korea, I saw them in France and, I'll never forget watching them play Argentina."

And this time? "Well the boss at home, my wife, wouldn't let me. I've been following them too much, she says."

Maybe if Mexico clinches a victory this time around, he will set-out on the road again. Mexico, always a powerhouse in CONCACAF, has made it to the knockout round in the past four World Cups, but has never won the top prize. "That doesn't matter, they follow their hearts, and for that I will always follow them."

The crowd started to build by the time the next game was on. Uruguay vs. France. 2:30 p.m. ET. Middle of the working day in Downtown Toronto and it was hard not to notice the man wearing the business suit under his French Flag.

"My boss let me have a long lunch," he says, "but I have to go back there after this. I was born in France and there was no way I was missing my team play."

And the Uruguayan fan, "I left work for this too," and then he lifted up the sleeve of his t-shirt to reveal the flag of Uruguay tattooed on his arm. "Yes it's real."

True dedication, True passion may lie underneath what meets the eye. Underneath it all you'll find everyone has a bit of crazy, footy fan in them.