MEXICO NATIONAL TEAM
Gold Cup winner Roberto Alvarado named as Alexis Vega’s replacement for 2023 tournament
Chivas winger Vega has been ruled out of the tournament because of a knee problem and has been replaced by his club teammate.
The Mexican National Team will be without the services of Alexis Vega for the 2023 Gold Cup after he suffered a knee injury which forced him to withdraw from the roster for the tournament. For interim boss Jaime Lozano, who steps into the breach left by the sacking of Diego Cocca, losing the Chivas forward is a significant blow given the additional absences of fellow attackers Hirving Lozano and Tecatito Corona. Vega played a key role in helping Mexico claim a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.
Chivas teammate Alvarado to replace Vega
Vega’s place on the roster will be taken by another player who featured in the third-placed finish in Japan. On Tuesday, the Mexican Soccer Federation announced that Guadalajara’s Roberto Alvarado would replace his club teammate at the Gold Cup. Under former boss Cocca, the winger had only featured in friendly games against Guatemala and Cameroon but he will now have an opportunity to make his mark in competitive fixtures under Lozano.
“The National Teams Directorate can announce that Mexico have registered Club Guadalajara player Roberto Carlos Alvarado to take part in the 2023 Gold Cup. The player takes the place vacated by the injured Alexis Vega”, said the FMF in a brief statement on their website.
Alvarado already a Gold Cup winner
Former Cruz Azul player Alvarado is, of course, no stranger to pulling on the green jersey, having already done so on 35 previous occasions. The 24-year-old was part of the roster that won the Gold Cup in 2019, even featuring as a substitute in the final victory against the United States.