Canela.TV Premieres El Quinto Partido, Hosted and Produced by Julián Gil, This Thursday May 14th

El Quinto Partido, a new original series from Canela.TV, hosted and produced by Julián Gil, brings together soccer legends and never-before-seen testimonies in an emotional journey exploring Mexico’s greatest sports obsession: reaching the long-awaited fifth match.

The series premieres Thursday the 14th on Canela.TV with a new episode every Thursday for three weeks, just ahead of the World Cup. The series was produced in collaboration with Latin Sports), a company led by Julián Gil and Andrés López.

Hosted by Gil, El Quinto Partido embarks on a street-level journey through key cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, London, Miami, Madrid, Istanbul, and Milan, exploring the obsession, pain, and hope behind Mexico’s quest to break through to the coveted fifth match through revealing stories and exclusive testimonies from major soccer legends and personalities such as Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Miguel Herrera, and Raúl Jiménez, among others.

Juan Carlos Rodríguez discusses the reality of Mexican soccer with Julián Gil

El Quinto Partido revisits moments that defined generations — from the eternal “It wasn’t a penalty” controversy to the nights that brought an entire country to a standstill. The production dives into the central question of Mexican soccer: Why has El Tri been unable to break the fifth-match barrier in the world’s most important international soccer tournament?

“Creating El Quinto Partido has been one of the most meaningful and exciting experiences of my career. This story is about identity, hope, and a dream that millions of people refuse to give up on. Beyond soccer, this series portrays the emotions of an entire country, the passion of fans who never stop believing, and those moments that have marked entire generations. Being able to hear firsthand from historic figures, learning about their emotions, wounds, and memories, was deeply special for me. El Quinto Partido not only revisits the history of Mexican soccer, it also shows the heart and resilience of millions of Mexicans who continue dreaming of making history,” said Julián Gil.

THE PROTAGONISTS OF A STORY STILL BEING WRITTEN

Legends such as Enrique Borja, who represented Mexico in the world’s biggest international soccer tournament in 1966 and 1970, Oswaldo Sánchez, an iconic Mexican goalkeeper, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, one of the few Mexican players to score in three editions of the tournament, and David Oteo, former Mexican National Team player, reflect on the pride and pressure of representing Mexico on the global stage.

From the bench, Ricardo La Volpe and Miguel Herrera share what it means to coach El Tri in defining moments — two campaigns, in 2006 and 2014, that came within seconds of changing history. Juan Carlos Rodríguez discusses the reality of Mexican soccer.

The perspective of the rival side is also present through former player Maxi Rodríguez, recalling the decisive moment that led to one of Mexico’s most painful eliminations in tournament history.

Julián Gil interviews Alejandro Berry in Miami

The story is complemented by key voices in sports journalism such as Enrique Bermúdez, Adriana Monsalve, Alejandro Berry, and Valeria Marín, who provide context, memories, and different perspectives on the story.

“This story is felt in the heart of every fan. It is the passion, hope, and dream of millions of soccer fans who come together every four years for the sport’s biggest international stage, with their hope still intact. This series invites audiences to relive those moments that defined an entire fanbase and to believe once again that the fifth match is possible,” said Felipe Osorio, SVP of Content Verticals at Canela Media.

El Quinto Partido is part of Verano de Gloria, a special programming event designed for fans celebrating the world’s biggest soccer event. The celebration includes original specials, docuseries, and exclusive segments within Canela Deportes programs such as Copados, 100% Fútbol, and Idioma Fútbol, offering expert analysis, high-level debate, and real-time reactions throughout the summer.

Club Canela, the free rewards program from Canela.TV, is celebrating the premiere of El Quinto Partido through a series of soccer-themed challenges and trivia. By simply enjoying their favorite content on Canela.TV, registered users in the U.S. and Mexico can earn points for a chance to win a 75-inch television.

El Quinto Partido´s behind the scenes