Each has their favorite sport, whether to watch or practice, but in relation to popularity none compares to football here. In Brazil, we have been with him since childhood, whether he likes it or not, and the World Cup proves that, at least every 4 years, many people who do not follow the sport turn their eyes to at least one match.

Apparently games where people use balls have been popular for a long time. The peoples that inhabited the region of Mesoamerica, being the best known Mayans and Aztecs, practiced a sport that in some points resembles soccer, and indications show that it was quite common.

The courts

The number of blocks that survived the time shows the importance of this game at the time. In addition, they are located in regions of ancient cities devoted to sacred rituals, suggesting that the practice might be more than pure entertainment.

In general, they had an "I" shape, but with very variable dimensions. Just as there were small courts, 36 x 9 meters, others were gigantic, 168 x 70 meters; ie larger than a current football field. The internal area had a flat lawn, surrounded by walls, on which were set the hoops used for the game, and the height of these elements was also variable.

The game

The ball used, made of a latex mixture, was 25 to 30 centimeters in diameter and weighed from 1.5 to 3 pounds. Considering that a modern soccer ball weighs 500 grams and has a diameter of 22 centimeters, this was not a game for sensitive people. Therefore, the players used body protections, mainly in the waist area, but in some cases also in the elbows, knees and shoulders.

Records of how the game worked are scarce, but considering its popularity and breadth, it is believed that there were variations in the rules by region. According to Spanish settlers, who arrived there in the 15th century, matches were played between teams of two to five people.

Record made by the Spanish in 1532

At first, the goal was to pass the ball through the rim fixed on the side of the field, positioned at the top. It may seem relatively simple and even vaguely resemble a game of basketball or football, but the difference is that neither hands nor feet could be used. As such, the most effective way to play was by hitting the hips, hitting the latex ball according to your heels.

There are records of a version where clubs were used to move the ball, similar to those used in hockey matches, but due to the low number of records, it is likely that their popularity was much lower.

Religiosity

Overall, the game was of great importance to the community. Departures were represented in sculptures, ceramic paintings and architectural decorations, and there were trophies that were found buried next to their likely deservers.

Mural showing sacrifice of losing loser

The context is unknown, but some matches ended with the captain, or even the entire losing team, being sacrificed. Since this kind of ritual was common in their culture, the game probably had some religious significance. There are records on the block walls that have resisted to this day, which is a strong indication for this hypothesis.

Due to the large number of courts that still remain, several in the same city, it is impossible not to imagine that this sport was popular at the time. With aggressive colonization, as it has been here, the entire culture of these peoples has been suppressed. Today there are several sporting events that mobilize millions of people as spectators, but have you ever wondered if one of them was the ancient Mesoamerican sport?