'Tata' Martino confirms that Carlos Vela and 'Chicharito' Hernandez will not be called up for the 2022 World Cup.

Javier Hernández has scored 16 goals in 34 games for LA Galaxy this season. On the other hand, Carlos Vela has scored 11 goals in the same number of matches, but wearing the Los Angeles FC shirt. Both are 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 striker. "In the case of Carlos Vela, about three and a half years ago he communicated to me that he preferred not to be called up to the Mexican national team and that hasn't changed," he said in a press conference.

Regarding the issue of 'Chicharito', 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 called up 31 players for the friendlies against Peru and Mexico. In that sense, the coach hopes that from that list he will choose the players for the World Cup. "Being the final call-up, there is a greater chance that the definitive list will come from here, but I don't want to take away opportunities from 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.