A video shared on Instagram by Cuban content creator Yoe Villares Fernández captures a group of young Cubans in an urban yard attempting to fix an old soccer ball using a syringe and raw egg white. This scene starkly illustrates the dire state of sports on the island.
The clip, titled "The Soccer Ball Experiment," was posted in March and has since garnered 467,000 views.
In the video, several youths can be seen: one holds the battered ball while another injects egg white using an inflating syringe, amidst the group's jokes and laughter.
"People will think it's a joke; we're performing surgery on the ball," Yoe commented.
He added, "It's tough here. We don't even have a soccer ball. It's my fault for returning from the United States without bringing one," referring to his return to Cuba last December.
His return sparked controversy at the time. Yoe claimed that immigrants in the U.S. are treated "like criminals," yet despite admitting that Cuba faces "hunger" and "needs," he expressed happiness being with his family.
The Egg White Trick
The so-called "egg trick" involves injecting raw egg white into a punctured soccer ball to create an internal membrane that seals leaks. This method may work for small punctures and last for weeks, but it is neither a permanent nor a professional solution.
It's a significant sacrifice, as the scarcity and high cost of eggs in Cuba make them a luxury item accessible only to the privileged few.
Nevertheless, for many who cannot afford patches or new balls, it's the only viable option. Buying a new soccer ball in Cuba is an unattainable luxury for most, costing over $20 in online sales groups in a country where the average monthly salary is around 6,930 Cuban pesos—approximately $13 at the informal exchange rate.
A Broader Sports Crisis
This is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a deeper sports crisis, exacerbated by power outages and shortages that the Cuban regime has failed to address.
The Cuban Football Federation imported only 1,200 balls for the entire country in 2024-2025, despite an estimated need for 5,000 to support national and youth leagues, due to a lack of foreign currency.
The condition of sports facilities is equally concerning. Over 50% of Cuba's sports facilities are in poor structural condition.
For example, the Juan Abrantes Stadium at the University of Havana was documented in March with cracked stands, overgrown weeds, and a swimming pool turned into a dump. Coaches like Reniel Bonora, head of the under-20 team, have resorted to creating makeshift factories to produce artisanal cleats and balls due to a total lack of imported supplies.
Ironically, when the government-run site Cubadebate asked readers to send photos of themselves practicing their favorite sport, it accompanied the request with an image of children playing street soccer. Cuban social media users retorted with, "My sport: survival."
Understanding Cuba's Sports Challenges
What is the "egg trick" used by young Cubans?
The "egg trick" is a method where raw egg white is injected into a punctured soccer ball to form a membrane that seals small leaks temporarily.
Why is buying a new soccer ball difficult in Cuba?
Purchasing a new soccer ball in Cuba is challenging due to high costs, exceeding $20, which is unaffordable for many given the low average monthly salary of about $13 at the informal exchange rate.
What are the broader issues facing Cuban sports?
Cuban sports face challenges such as insufficient equipment, poor infrastructure, and inadequate funding, exacerbated by economic constraints and mismanagement by the government.