MEXICO
“In Mexico, they see me as a dinosaur” - Andrés Guardado
The midfielder of the Mexican national team lamented that his career is more valued in Europe than at home.
Andrés Guardado, captain of the national team, believes that his career has been more valued in Europe than in Mexico where he even says that “they see me as a dinosaur”.
Guardado undervalued in Mexico
In an interview with the Star+ network, Guardado, who is at the gates of playing in his fifth World Cup, pointed out that in his country they have not given so much value to his career, which has been mainly in Europe, where he left for in 2007.
“What I can say is that, maybe it’s normal because I’ve played my entire career in Europe, is that in Europe I’m respected a little more, by coaches, colleagues, the press. I think they value a lot what I’ve done and what I continue to be.
“In Mexico I feel that I am seen as a dinosaur, as if it is not given as much value. Nor is it something that I let myself be guided by, lead my life or make decisions on. It is part of being a player,” he said.
More from the World Cup 2022
Guardado on retirement from El Tri
Guardado confirmed that the last game he will play in Qatar 2022 will be the one that ends his career with the national team, which began in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, then under the orders of Ricardo La Volpe.
With goodbye to El Tri just around the corner, Andrés knows that it is painful not yet being able to meet the goal of reaching the famous fifth game in a World Cup played outside national territory. However, he would not change what he has experienced in his career to see that dream realised.
“I don’t know if I would change my entire career because it has been a big effort and it has been many years’ work. Maybe a few years of my career in Europe for that fifth game, sure. Half and half, yes. I am convinced that the last match I play in the World Cup will be my last match in the national team. That’s where my road in team comes to an end,” he said.
Finally, the midfielder recalled what has been the most painful elimination he has experienced from a World Cup, in reference to the match against the Netherlands in Brazil 2014.
“It was never criminal, don’t fuck around. I have not seen it again, I have not wanted to see it again.
“What makes me angry the most is not the penalty itself, it is that we were tied with a corner with five minutes remaining, where we should have been defending in another way, where Sneijder is alone on the edge of the area. Those are the details that we cannot afford if we want to continue advancing.”