Mexican football star Cuauhtemoc Blanco enters politics

Mexico City, Jan 24 (IANS/EFE) Cuauhtemoc Blanco, one of Mexico's most popular professional football players, has filed papers to run for mayor of Cuernavaca, a city 30 minutes from the Mexican capital.

The 42-year-old forward, who currently plays for Puebla in the Liga MX, is seeking to represent the PSD party in the June 7 election.

"I have not voted in a long time because I no longer believed in the politicians," Blanco said at a press conference in Cuernavaca Friday. "I'm not a politician, I'm doing this for you."

"I don't come for a contract or for money or for publicity," the former Mexican international said.

Blanco, Mexico's all-time leading scorer in World Cup, displayed his voter's registration with a Cuernavaca address to dispel charges that he didn't meet the residency requirement to run for mayor.

The footballer said he decided to enter the race despite having received threats.

"Here I am, I'm wearing the pants and I'm not afraid," Blanco said, vowing that if elected, he will work "to move Cuernavaca forward."

Blanco, who began his pro career with the America club, has scored 158 goals in 437 appearances for teams in Liga MX, Spain's La Liga and Major League Soccer (MLS) in the US.

--IANS/EFE

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