Mexico’s National Team Sees Return of Veteran Stars for Upcoming Friendlies
In a move to revitalize the team’s performance, manager Javier Aguirre has called up 27 players for the upcoming friendlies against Valencia on October 12 and the United States men’s national team on October 15. Notably, veteran players Guillermo Ochoa and Raúl Jiménez have earned a return to the team after being absent from the Copa América squad earlier this year.
Ochoa, who recently joined Portugal’s AVS, and Jiménez, currently playing for Fulham, were significant omissions from the Copa América team under former head coach Jaime Lozano. Their absence contributed to Mexico’s early exit from the tournament, leading to Lozano’s eventual firing.
The inclusion of Ochoa and Jiménez signals a desire to slow down the generational change that was unable to develop under Lozano. The team will also feature prominent names such as West Ham’s Edson Álvarez, Lokomotiv Moscow’s César Montes, and AEK Athens’ Orbelín Pineda.
Two players, Seattle Sounders’ Obed Vargas and Monterrey’s Germán Berterame, may make their debut for Mexico’s senior team in October’s friendlies. The team will begin camp on Sunday, October 6, with a current record of 1W-1D-0L under Aguirre.
Notable absences from the roster include players recovering from injuries, such as PSV Eindhoven winger Hirving Lozano, Feyenoord striker Santiago Giménez, and Dynamo Moscow midfielder Luis Chávez.
Aguirre’s call-up also includes 38-year-old legend Andrés Guardado, who returns after a two-year absence to participate in a farewell game against Valencia.
Mexico’s 27-man call-up:
Goalkeepers: Luis Ángel Malagón (Club América), Guillermo Ochoa (AVS Futebol), Raul Rangel (Chivas)
Defenders: Rodrigo Huescas (FC Copenhagen), Jorge Sánchez (Cruz Azul), Jesús Orozco (Chivas), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Jesús Angulo (Tigres), Bryan González (Pachuca)
Midfielders: Edson Álvarez (West Ham United), Luis Romo (Cruz Azul), Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders), Marcel Ruiz (Toluca), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Andres Guardado (Leon), Sebastián Córdova (Tigres), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens)
Forwards: Diego Lainez (Tigres), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Ozziel Herrera (Tigres), German Berterame (Monterrey), César Huerta (Pumas), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas), Raul Jimenez (Fulham), Henry Martín (Club America)
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