Martino: “Half of the players here will be at the World Cup”
Mexico coach Tata Martino stated that around 50 percent of the squad called up to face Paraguay will be in his definitive list for the World Cup
On Wednesday, Mexico will play one of its last friendly matches ahead of the Qatar World Cup, a game in which all those summoned to take part are players from the LIga MX. According to Gerardo Martino, about half of the players who have been called up for the match will be in his definitive list for Qatar.
In a press conference prior to the duel against Paraguay, the national team coach gave an indication as to who will make the final cut and also declared that Rogelio Funes Mori does not have his place in the squad guaranteed, contrary to recent claims.
“Obviously, we’ll have to see what happens in September (Mexico have friendlies against Peru and Colombia); there is always the possibility of calling up other players. I would say that 40 or 50 percent of those who have already been called up are going to go to the World Cup. That percentage is not going to vary, because not everyone will make the final list. For instance, of the players who I visited in other countries, if I went to see 12 out of of 26, surely 50 percent of the players who were in the list against Paraguay they will be at the World Cup”, he acknowledged. “In reality, regardless of the situation, the forwards have been fighting for a place for a long time - Raúl Jiménez, Santi, Henry and Rogelio, it is normal for these four to fight for a place, there may be two or three positions available,” Martino added.
Everyone has a chance to go to the World Cup
Martino made it clear that the players who he has been looking at during Mexico’s previous friendly matches, will all have the opportunity to enter his definitive list for Qatar and explained that he will do whatever he can do help players reach their best form.
“If we can help players get back to their best version, we will. If they have been part of the selection process, they will have a chance to fight for a place at the World Cup. There is no percentage of players who are already on the list, it wouldn’t make sense to guarantee a place for those who have been called up the most in the last few years because the majority of them won’t be on the list,” he ended.