17 GIFs That Prove There’s Only One Cuauhtémoc Blanco

Omar Villegas - 04/21/15 - #mitúWORLD

credit: Stu Forster / Getty

Mexican soccer icon Cuauhtémoc Blanco is hanging up his cleats. Blanco, who made it out of Tepito — one of Mexico City’s roughest neighborhoods — to become a legend for Club América and the Mexican national team, is retiring after more than 20 years. The 42-year-old, who delighted fans with clutch goals, creative goal celebrations and a quick temper, is retiring to run for mayor of Cuernavaca in the state of Morelos. Cuauhtémoc, we’ll miss you. Here’s why:

He made us gasp, when he did the “Cuauhteminha”

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Who had the balls to try this at a World Cup? Cuau did.

And scored this crazy goal at the 1998 World Cup

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He took the América-Chivas rivalry very seriously

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His celebrations became as entertaining as his goals

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Like when he pretended to be a matador

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Or peed like a dog after scoring against Felix Fernandez

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He also posed in front of his former coach, Ricardo Lavolpe, to piss him off

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He showed his Mexican pride with a Zapateado

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After scoring a goal against Brazil to win the 1999 Confederations Cup.

READ: Fans in Holland Show Love to Mexican Soccer Star

His long running starts when shooting penalties

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It took him a while to get there, but he usually scored.

He was a master at “drawing” fouls

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No contact didn’t always mean no foul.

But if you ask him, he never committed a foul

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He had no problems showing his frustration

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For officials AND opponents

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And even when he took things too far

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You forgave him because he could do things like this

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And this

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Ah, the rare but effective butt pass.

Best of all, he always knew how to quiet the haters

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Shhhh.

And he even earned comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo

Credit: Miguel Miquioreno / YouTube

El Cuau, who is currently playing with Puebla, will say his final good-bye in a Copa MX match against his longtime rival, Chivas of Guadalajara.

READ: How Chicharito Quieted His Haters

What was your favorite Cuauhtémoc Blanco moment?