Being called up to the national team does not mean a player should be a starter or begin matches with us. Controversy at Chivas de Guadalajara reignited after their coach, Gabriel Milito, made his position clear regarding Brian Gutiérrez's role as a substitute. The player has recently gained attention for his participation with the Mexican national team. What did he say? Far from giving in to media pressure or the excitement of seeing a player called up to the Tri, the Argentine strategist was firm: being on the national team does not guarantee a place in the starting eleven for the red-and-white team. "Well, he has started several matches, he has begun several matches, and in others he has come off the bench. It also doesn't mean that he won't be a starter," Milito stated. The coach believes decisions must be based on the collective performance, internal competition, and the footballing condition of each player, not merely for wearing the national jersey. This stance also reflects Chivas' current moment, a team that has regained prominence thanks to a management focused on discipline, identity, and sporting merit. The coach's decision aims not only to maintain balance in the locker room but also to send a clear message: no one has a guaranteed spot. In a club where demands are constant, even national team players must earn every minute on the field, a philosophy that could strengthen the group as the tournament approaches its final stages. "These are decisions we have to make based on different circumstances. What do I mean? Brian played 2 matches with the national team and did not train with his teammates all week, he had to go through a recovery phase," he said at a press conference. The context of this situation dates back to the meteoric rise of the young midfielder, who joined Guadalajara at the end of 2025 after forming in the MLS and quickly began to attract attention, even managing to change federations to represent Mexico. His performance opened the doors to the Tri at a time when coach Javier Aguirre is seeking to consolidate a competitive base for the 2026 World Cup, increasing his media exposure and raising expectations about his role at the club. However, Milito has opted to prioritize daily performance over international prestige.
