New LA Galaxy designated playerGiovani Dos Santos is already keeping fans on seats’ edge. The same day the Galaxy announced his move to MLS, Dos Santos exited a Gold Cup game for his national team, Mexico, with a right thigh injury.
But while Dos Santos should find himself in fine form by the time of his Galaxy debut, some time after the Gold Cup’s conclusion, his major move promises all kinds of breathless media coverage. So while we were welcoming Dos Santos over here, what did the Mexican media have to say about one of the biggest stars of its national team?
Let’s check in with Televisa Deportes, the home of some amazing goal calls and commentating. They’ve actually been pretty measured.
…Just the facts, ma’am. All that says is that the Galaxy signed Gio as a DP, the details haven’t been announced, and he’ll join the roster after the Gold Cup.
They mostly stayed away from editorializing in this on-air segment, too, except at the very end – that’s when the presenter notes it’s a great idea for the L.A. market, since it’s full of Mexicans and fans of Mexican soccer.
(I know, I bet you’re asking, what about Telemundo? Telemundo’s based in the U.S. and aimed at a U.S. Latino audience, though!)
Let’s go to the Mexican papers. The overall theme? Let’s just say the media is worried about a different person possibly leaving Mexico – notorious drug lord, El Chapo. On the futbol side of things, most of the coverage focuses on the Gold Cup, and Gio’s playing (and injury) in it.
In La Jornada, one of Mexico City’s biggest and most centrist publications, they relied on reporting from wire services Notimex and Reuters, and avoid hyperbole.
The only nugget that's not straight from the club press release? A couple of sentences that say Gio’s father and representative, Ziziho, convinced him it was a good idea.
El Universal, meanwhile, focused on how Gio will renew Mexican’s presence in MLS. In fact, that’s the headline of this piece.
How about El Norte, from Gio’s hometown of Monterrey? Here’s where things get fun.
The headline on this celebratory news story announcing the trade? “More than Gerrard!” (That refers to how much the Galaxy shelled out for Gio, naturally.)
And this one? “Beckham celebrates Gio signing!” If sir David of Beckingham celebrates you, you’ve gotta be good, right?
One last thing – El Norte wants the doubters to know that Robbie Keane also approves. The latest headline? “Keane defends Giovani!"
