The Pumas winger, with experience in Europe with Standard Liège, could compete for a place in the Mexican National Team with players like Julián Quiñones, Alexis Vega, César Huerta, and Hirving Lozano. Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, defender Jesús Gallardo, and forward Guillermo Martínez met expectations and are likely to appear in Javier Aguirre's upcoming call-ups.
In the original plan of 'Vasco' Aguirre, besides playing matches outside the United States, training 'mini-cycles' with players from Liga MX is planned. This idea was presented and approved by the then commissioner Juan Carlos Rodriguez, who resigned in December. One of them was Gilberto Mora, who became the youngest player to debut with the Mexican National Team. 'There are three or four players who really deserve an opportunity,' Aguirre mentioned.
The coach did not want to elaborate on who those players are that would compete for a spot in the squad for the Nations League, which Mexico will play against Canada on March 20.
Midfielder Elías Montiel is a gem from the Tuzos de Pachuca academy and showed why in the two matches of the Mexican National Team. At just 19 years old, the player became a starter with the 'Tuzos' of Pachuca in the Apertura 2024 Tournament and was one of the most prominent in the Intercontinental Cup. Additionally, Luis Romo from Chivas is also fighting for minutes. Jorge Ruvalcaba, who scored a goal and had several dangerous chances against Internacional de Porto Alegre, was another standout.
Before playing two friendly matches, Mexican National Team head coach Javier 'Vasco' Aguirre stated that the outcome of both games would be the least important. The essential thing, he said, was to see the performance of the young players who had the opportunity in the absence of the starters with the 'Tri'. In the matches against River Plate from Argentina and Internacional de Porto Alegre from Brazil, 'Vasco' Aguirre debuted 14 players. Edson Álvarez from Fulham and Luis Chávez from Dinamo Moscow, both with World Cup experience, usually occupy that position.
However, it is unlikely that Liga MX teams will loan their players for scheduled training from Monday to Wednesday. If nothing changes, Aguirre will have to wait until mid-March to gather the full team before the Nations League match against Canada. The goal of the tour was achieved. We need to maintain balance and draw conclusions. It is beneficial for the future.
The Tijuana midfielder is 16 years and three months old. Although the results did not have much importance, Mexico defeated Inter 2-0 and lost by the same score against River Plate. 'I leave with the feeling that the tour was worth it. Montiel was one of the few who appeared in the lineup in both friendly matches. The problem for Montiel is that there is tough competition for the starting position in that role.
