The Uruguayan footballer traded boots for shoes to promote the sport to a wider audience, especially boys, in his country.
by Mathilde Wattecamps
In Uruguay, as in many countries around the world, the extra-curricular activities of boys and girls are quite stereotypical. Subconsciously, children turn to sports they think are most suitable for their gender, thus reinforcing the clichés.
Who has never heard in the playground "Football is not for girls" or "Dancing is not for boys"?
To open up possibilities for children, the top scorer in Paris Saint Germain history has wet the shirt. He swapped crampons for slippers to try his hand at ballet. He declares : “Girls and boys must be free to find happiness in whatever excites them, because it is the best way to be well trained, and to grow up day after day on a good basis”.
What does he take away from his essay? "It was an amazing experience! The dancers taught me how to do the steps and when I looked at them I was really in awe. Dancing is wonderful."
He made this video in partnership with a national ballet school in his country. In Uruguay, few boys join dancing, and they often give up after a few years for lack of support from those around them. The phenomenon is not confined to this country, and films like Billy Eliott may have shown the difficulty in continuing.
The spot broadcast will certainly help change mentalities to encourage boys and girls to be free in their sporting movements!