Discurso mediatico y construccion de la identidad ecuatoriana a través del futbol: clasificacion de la Selección Ecuatoriana de Futbol al mundial Corea — Japón 2002.

Abstract

This research analyzes how the Ecuadorian National Soccer Team's qualification for the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup constructed national identity based on media discourse. It employs communication and the sociology of sports activities, especially soccer. Applying a qualitative approach developed through discourse analysis to six interviews and audiovisual publications, matrices were constructed that helped identify communicative elements and their impact on society. The results show how all the ideas converge in that this event helped construct national identity, highlighting communicative elements such as the phrase "yes, we can," national symbols, and historical figures such as "Bolillo" Gomez, which helped reduce regionalisms and elevated feelings of achievement and self-esteem. Thus, soccer also acted from a social perspective, as a factor of national cohesion, generating belonging and identity.