The Government of Sonora, through the Sonora Youth Institute (ISJ), in coordination with the Navojoa Youth Institute, will create a mural in honor of Navojoa-born soccer player and national team member Johan Vásquez, in recognition of his career and his outstanding performance with the Mexican National Team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The director of the Sonoran Youth Institute, Rebeca Valenzuela Álvarez, explained that this project is part of the “Mi Lienzo Sonora” program, an initiative that seeks to revitalize and transform public spaces through urban art, while also recognizing young people and notable figures from Sonora who have become role models for new generations.
Valenzuela Álvarez emphasized that Johan Vásquez’s story serves as an example of perseverance for Sonora’s youth, as he is a soccer player who began his career in Navojoa and, through discipline, effort, and dedication, established himself in professional soccer and went on to represent Mexico in international competitions.
He noted that Mi Lienzo Sonora has brought urban art to various municipalities in Sonora, capturing the talent, identity, and pride of the communities in murals.
As part of these efforts, murals were created in Nogales dedicated to Sonora-born soccer players Johan Vásquez and César Montes, as well as referee Guillermo Pacheco, all of whom represented Mexico in the world’s premier soccer tournament.
The official added that Mi Lienzo Sonora has expanded its efforts to various municipalities across the state, including Agua Prieta, Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, San Luis Río Colorado, Carbó, Álamos, Quiriego, Guaymas, Cananea, Naco, Etchojoa, and Empalme, among others, with projects aimed at strengthening a sense of belonging and providing young people with spaces to express themselves through art.
In the case of Navojoa, the mural dedicated to Johan Vásquez—which will be completed in the coming days— is located on the overpass on Guillermo Chávez Avenue, between Sufragio Efectivo and Talamante, where his image will be depicted as a tribute to his career and as a source of inspiration for children and young people seeking to achieve their own dreams in sports.
