I donโt think people miss department stores because they need another place to buy stuff. They miss having somewhere to actually go. The decorated windows, perfume counters, little restaurants, holiday displays, gift wrappingโฆ shopping used to feel like an experience instead of opening an app and adding something to a cart.
A word on the Mexicans too. Iโve only seen people be friendly and welcoming. On my way out I saw England fans at a bar singing Hey Jude with Mexico fans. This is a wonderful city with wonderful people. If you ever get the chance to visit, donโt hesitate.
The way American fans are reacting online speaks so much about them as a culture. They really do see themselves as exceptional, and that they're above the rules.
Didier Drogba on some African fans mocking South Africa's World Cup elimination:
๐ฃ๏ธ โWhat disappointed me the most tonight wasn't South Africa's elimination it was seeing some Africans celebrating another African nation being knocked out. I honestly cannot understand that mentality.โ
โWhen one African country reaches the World Cup, they don't carry only their own flag they carry the hopes of an entire continent. Every victory earns Africa more respect. Every deep run changes how the football world sees us.โ
โMocking South Africa because they lost doesn't make your country stronger. It only shows how divided we still are when we should be standing together. Our biggest opponents are on the pitch, not wearing another African jersey.โ
โI've always believed Africa's greatest weakness isn't talent it's how quickly we sometimes turn against each other instead of lifting one another. Imagine if we celebrated each other's success with the same energy we use to mock each other's failures.โ
โI've seen supporters from Europe and South America unite behind teams from their regions at major tournaments. That's the mentality Africa needs if we truly want to become a football powerhouse.โ
โTo the South African players, hold your heads high. You fought with courage, represented your country with pride and earned the respect of millions. One painful defeat cannot erase everything you achieved.โ
โAnd to those celebrating another African team's heartbreak, remember this: today it's South Africa, tomorrow it could be your country. Respect costs nothing, but it says everything about who we are as a football family.โ
9/10 African nations at the 2026 World Cup have advanced to the knockouts.
Incredible ๐๐จ๐ป๐ธ๐ณ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฟ๐ช๐ฌ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฟ๐ฆ