Eva Longoria has said she would rather win a football league title than an Oscar, after investing in Mexican club Necaxa. The Desperate Housewives star acquired 50% of the club in 2021, inspired by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary.
From Hollywood to the boardroom
Longoria, best known for playing Gabrielle Solis on the ABC series, has since been joined by Reynolds and McElhenney as investors. She was also the subject of her own documentary last year as she works to reverse the club's fortunes.
Necaxa were a domestic force at the turn of the millennium but later fell into disrepair. The club currently sit second bottom of Liga MX after 11 games, with just two wins to their name.
Inspired by her father
Longoria said her father struggles to believe her role at the club. "My dad can't believe it. He doesn't believe I'm 'La Patrona'," she said. "I'll always be his little girl... But I love sports because of my dad. My dad always watched the Dallas Cowboys, the Spurs, the Texas Rangers... Every sport, I watched with him. I love sports because of the drama, the excitement, the ups and downs."
She added: "I invested in the Necaxa team because I saw a great opportunity, not only as a business venture, but also as a great way to showcase Mexico and the most passionate sport in this beautiful country, to put Mexico on the map."
Title ambitions
Speaking to L'Equipe, Longoria declared: "I'd rather win a title than an Oscar." There is no promotion or relegation in Liga MX, removing the threat of dropping divisions, but Necaxa have struggled to reach the playoffs in recent campaigns.
Longoria also highlighted the club's motto: "Here in Necaxa, there's a saying: 'If there's no suffering, it's not Necaxa.' I'm explaining this saying to them, because the fans have embraced the idea that you have to suffer to win. Rob and Ryan know a little bit about this, and we wanted to explore that idea in the series."
