Maritno: “Half the players here will be at the World Cup”

On Wednesday, Mexico will host one of his last friendlies before World Cup in Qatara game in which all players invited to participate from the League MX. Corresponding Gerardo Martino, Around half of the players called up for the game will feature for Qatar in its final roster.

In a press conference ahead of the match against Paraguay, the national coach hinted at who will make the final cut and explained as well Rogelio Funes Mori has not guaranteed his place in the squad, contrary to recent claims.

“Obviously we’ll have to see what happens in September (Mexico has friendlies against Peru and Colombia); There is always an opportunity to call other players. I would say that 40 or 50 percent of those who are already called up will go to the World Cup. This percentage will not vary as not everyone will make the final list. For example, if I’ve seen 12 out of 26 of the players I’ve visited in other countries, Surely 50 percent of the players who made the list against Paraguay will be at the World Cup‘ he admitted. “In reality, regardless of the situation, the strikers have been fighting for a place for a long time – Raúl Jiménez, Santi, Henry and Rogelio, it’s normal that these four fight for a place, there can be two or three places left,” added Martino.

Everyone has the chance to go to the World Cup

Martino made it clear that the players he has been following during Mexico’s recent friendlies will all have the opportunity to add themselves to his final list for Qatar and stated that he will do everything he can to help the players improve their to get in best shape.

“If we can help players get back to their best version, we will. If they have participated in the selection process, they have the chance to compete for a place at the World Championship. There isn’t a percentage of players who are already on the list, it wouldn’t make sense to guarantee a spot for those who have been called up the most in recent years because the majority of them won’t be on the list,” , he finished.