Mexico return $1m in luxury watches gifted by an YouTuber

Key facts

• What: Mexico squad returned Rolex watches gifted by content creator Stevewilldoit
• Value: Collection valued at roughly $1 million, individual watches worth $30,000 to $90,000
• Who: YouTuber Stephen Deleonardis, real name behind the Stevewilldoit alias
• When gifted: Day before Mexico's 2-0 Round of 32 win over Ecuador
• Rule: Article 21 of FIFA's Code of Ethics limits gifts to "symbolic or trivial value"
• Penalty: Violations carry a fine of at least $12,500 and up to a two-year ban
• Statement: Federation said the return was by mutual agreement

A luxury watch for every player

The scene played out in a video Deleonardis posted to YouTube. Stephen Deleonardis, a 27-year-old American content creator, handed out the watches as Mexico's players came up one by one, each squad member and staff member receiving an individual watch worth between $30,000 and $90,000.

Asked why, his answer mixed generosity with a wager. "I live in Mexico and I bet $2 million on you guys tomorrow so everything's free," he said. The players hoisted him into the air and presented him with a Mexico shirt with "Steve" on the back.

Mexico did win, beating Ecuador 2-0 to book a last-16 meeting with England. The watches, though, could not stay. The federation announced on social that the $1 milion gift was sent back.

"The SNM reports that by mutual agreement, our players decided to return to the content creator, @stevewilldoit, the watches that he had gifted them on his own initiative," the X post read.

Why the watches went back

The decision follows FIFA's Code of Ethics. Article 21 states that gifts may not be accepted unless they carry "symbolic or trivial value."

The code also bars gifts offered or accepted "as a way of influencing" those bound by it, or that create a conflict of interest. Breaches can bring a fine of at least $12,500 and a ban from football-related activity for up to two years.

The bet behind the gift

After Mexico's victory against Ecuator the content creator said the present cost him nothing because of a wager on the match. He had put $2 million on Mexico advancing, a bet that he claims returned over $1 million in profit.

A win for Ecuador could've cost him dearly. "Basically, if Mexico loses, not only did I give them $1 million in watches, I lose all of mine. So if Mexico loses I'm just out $3 million and change in jewellery," he explained in a YouTube video that has drawn over one million views.

After the watch collection was returned, Deleonardis said he would speak further about this subject.

Mexico was defeated by England in the Round of 16 at the Azteca Stadium and left the World Cup.