Mexico National Team: Martino confirms that Carlos Vela and 'Chicharito' will not be called up for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Javier Hernández has scored 16 goals in 34 LA Galaxy matches this season. On the other hand, Carlos Vela has 11 goals in the same number of games but with Los Angeles FC. Both players have been requested by a sector of the Mexican national team fans for the World Cup, but coach Gerardo Martino has closed the door on them.

The coach of the Mexican team explained the reasons why he will not call up the LAFC forward. "In Carlos Vela's case, about three and a half years ago he told me that he preferred not to be called up to the Mexican national team and that hasn't changed," he said at a press conference.

Regarding the 'Chicharito' topic, the Argentine coach mentioned that he has opted for other players in that position. "I have simply chosen other center forwards," he stated.

It is important to mention that Javier Hernández has participated in three editions of the World Cup (2010, 2014, and 2018), while Carlos Vela participated in South Africa and Russia.

The World Cup list

Martino has called up 31 players for the friendlies against Peru and Mexico. In that sense, the coach expects that from that list, he will choose the players for the World Cup. "Being the last call-up, there are more chances that the final list will come from here, but I don't want to take away opportunities from the players who are outside," he mentioned.

"We will try to choose the 26 players who come closest to a football idea and who we understand can give us a response in a World Cup, and I am clear that I will be unfair," he added.