When Chapo Montes missed the World Cup - "Crying wasn't going to heal me"

The news of the terrible injury of Jesús Tecatito Corona

The news of the terrible injury of Jesús Tecatito Corona has shocked the Mexican fans and the Mexican National Team environment, as the severity of the injury indicates that he will miss the World Cup in Qatar, which is less than three months away.

Something that reminded Mexican footballers who missed the World Cup due to injuries shortly before the tournament was held, one of these was Luis Chapito Montes, who missed the 2014 World Cup in Brazil due to a tibia and fibula fracture, as a result of a strong collision with Segundo Castillo in a friendly match in Dallas against Ecuador as preparation prior to the World Cup.

Luis Montes had come from great performances with Club León, which helped the team win back-to-back championships in the Liga MX, so the midfielder was a key player in the team coached by Miguel Herrera, who after having secured a spot in the World Cup through the intercontinental play-offs against New Zealand, was an undisputed starter in the squad led by "El Piojo".

In that game on May 31, 2014, Chapito had scored a great goal to make it 1-0 against the South Americans, and motivated by his good goal, Montes lost his composure and his chance to play in the World Cup. He suffered an injury that would prevent him from stepping on the field for at least 6 months. With tears in his eyes, he was taken out of the stadium and immediately taken to the hospital to be evaluated and subsequently operated on.

Years after that incident, the midfielder reflected on what he went through after that injury and how he was able to overcome the great blow of missing the World Cup.

"The first day I got injured, I just wanted to see my wife and I vented to her. The next day, I told her that I couldn't do anything about it, because if I start crying, I won't heal. What's done, is done," said Chapito.

Although he couldn't play in the World Cup with the national team, Montes is satisfied with what he experienced and considers that terrible injury to have taught him a valuable lesson.

"When I was given the opportunity and that happened to me, I said, 'well, I proved to myself and to many people - especially the children - that it is possible.' Dreams do come true and depend on oneself," reflected the Mexican midfielder, who bid farewell to the Mexican National Team in 2020, citing lack of playing time when he was called up.

AGB

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