Overview
- An American influencer, Stephen Deleonardis (Steve Will Do It), visited Mexico’s training base and handed Rolex watches to players and staff in videos that quickly spread on social media.
- The influencer said he had placed a multi‑million dollar bet on Mexico and framed the watches as a share of his winnings, a claim reported across outlets but with differing accounts about whether the gifts were given before or after the match.
- The Selección Nacional announced that, by common agreement, players returned the Rolexes to the creator, a decision reported by multiple outlets late Friday and posted in the team’s brief official statement.
- FIFA’s Code of Ethics (article 21) allows only symbolic or insignificant gifts and calls for return of improper items plus fines or suspensions, but FIFA had not announced any formal sanctions at the time of reporting.
- Key questions remain about who authorized the influencer’s access to the Centro de Alto Rendimiento, the exact value and models of the watches, and whether sponsors or tournament authorities will pursue further investigation.