MEXICO
Why is Raúl Jiménez not part of Mexico’s Nations League squad list? Giménez and Martín make the cut
Mexico are set to reveal their squad list for the upcoming Final Four of the Nations League, and there are set to be some huge exceptions.
Raúl Jiménez is set to be left out of Mexico’s squad list for the upcoming Nations League Final Four, which will be held in Dallas at the end of March.
The Fulham striker has been recovering from an injury and has only recently returned, meaning that he is short of match fitness and would, presumably, not be able to have a full impact in Jaime Lozano’s squad as they take on Panama in the semi-final.
The veteran striker is set to be replaced by Santiago Giménez and Henry Martín, two strikers who have impressed this season with goals and assists. Giménez is flying high for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie while Martín continues to be one of the most prominent players for Club América in Liga MX.
Which players will be in Mexico’s squad for the Nations League?
Guillermo Martínez is another potential option for the striker position that is also set to miss out, meaning that Lozano is simply going for a two-striker squad in his list of 23 players.
Julio González and Charly Rodríguez are set to make the squad as two newer names, with the Pumas goalkeeper being called up back in October for the games against Ghana and Germany; Rodríguez is also back in the squad after a string of positive performances for Cruz Azul.
Another striking name in the potential list is that of Julián Quiñones, who is now unquestionably a part of Jimmy Lozano’s squad after a long process of naturalisation. Quiñones was born in Magüí Payán in Colombia but has played his entire professional career in Mexico, having moved before joining for the Tigres u-20 side.
Possible Mexico squad list:
GOALKEEPERS
Guillermo Ochoa
Luis Ángel Malagón
Julio González
DEFENDERS
Jorge Sánchez
Julián Álvarez
César Montes
Johan Vásquez
Israel Reyes
Jesús Gallardo
Gerardo Arteaga
MIDFIELDERS
Roberto Alvarado
Charly Rodríguez
Edson Álvarez
Luis Romo
Luis Chávez
Erick Sánchez
Marcel Ruiz
FORWARDS
Uriel Antuna
Orbelín Pineda
Hirving Lozano
Julián Quiñones
Henry Martín
Santiago Giménez
Mexico play Panama in one semi-final while the USMNT take on Jamaica in the other. Gregg Berhalter’s squad come into the international break in fantastic form, with players such as Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic putting up some career-best numbers in Italy’s Serie A.
This means that if Mexico do get to the final and things go as planned for the US against their Caribbean opponents, the test will indeed be tough for Jaime Lozano as he continues on his journey as head coach of El Tri.