WORLD CUP 2022
Qatar 2022 World Cup: Who are the best players to watch in Mexico? Raúl Jiménez, Hirving Lozano...
Mexico lost 2-1 to Sweden in their last warm-up game. Tata Martino has a difficult job ahead of him at the World Cup.
El Tri does not go into their opening game in high spirits. Tata’s boys lost their last preparation game against Sweden 1-2, and the team did not look to be at their best. The Argentinian coach already faced harsh criticism back in Mexico, but with this new loss, all eyes are on those players who did not make it to the competition.
But who are the players that were called up and will they make a difference to the Mexican team?
The Mexican stars to watch out for in Qatar 2022
- Raúl Jiménez: There’s no surprise here. El Lobo is the best striker for Wolves and a star that was sought out by the big clubs in the Premier League. However, his level has decreased after his head injury, and he has recently suffered muscle injuries. Thus his form heading into the tournament is questionable. But for talent and status, he has been called up to be the team’s biggest star.
- Hirving Lozano: The Napoli star has had a good season so far, earning a starting spot in the team. When Chucky made his move from the Eredivisie to Italy, everyone expected him to explode, but he found it harder than he would have hoped. This could be his tournament to finally shine.
- Hector Herrera: Herrera has had a consistent career in Europe, where he became a crucial player for Porto. Later he would try his luck with Atlético Madrid, where, unfortunately, he didn’t have the consistency he would have liked. This season he left the Spanish capital for the MLS, and it seems he has found his form.
- Andrés Guardado: Another very consistent player. Guardado has made the team ever since Germany in 2006, and this will be his fifth World Cup. An accomplished midfielder, even though he started his career as a winger at Atlas. He now brings the composure and control the team needs. He can dictate the tempo of the game.
- Alexis Vega: The 24-year-old has exploded with El Tri in their last warm-up games. He scored the team’s last goal against Sweden, as well as scoring against Colombia in their last friendly in September. El Tata has given him the number 10 jersey, and, with the absence from Tecatito Corona due to injury, everything points to him playing that role from the off. The Guadalajara winger is fast, an excellent dibbler, is really powerful and has a great shot on him. He could be the next big Mexican star.
El Tri goes into this tournament with a less talented squad than Russia in 2018. Back then, the team had Chicharito, Carlos Vela, Hirving Lozano, Giovanni Dos Santos, Jonathan Dos Santos, Hector Herrera, and Andrés Guardado, all of whom were playing in Europe and in better form. There has undoubtedly been a changing of guard this time around for the Mexican team.