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The era of Andres Guardado in the Mexican Selection is over, a process that started before the 2006 World Cup in Germany and closed its last page with the farewell of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Although it has not been made official, everything seems to indicate that the 'Principito's' stage in the 'Tri' has come to an end.
According to the Mexican press, Guardado has already communicated his decision, which he made before the Qatar World Cup, to Yon de Luisa, president of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), and Jaime Ordiales, director of National Teams.
The tricolor captain acknowledged a few days ago in an interview with his club, Real Betis, that playing his fifth World Cup was "something very nice" because it represents "a lot of time of sacrifice, maintaining a level and stability, and a demand to continue in your national team in such important competitions", but he would have liked to "achieve something important" with the National Team.
However, he recognizes that he is pleased to be one of the six footballers in history who have played in five editions of the World Cup. The other five are also Mexicans: Antonio "Tota" Carbajal and Rafael Marquez, as well as Lothar Matthäus from Germany, Lionel Messi from Argentina, and Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal.
"I don't want to take away the merit that entails, because it is a lot of time of sacrifice, maintaining a level, a demand, to continue being considered," he clarified. "When you look back, it always fills you with pride and satisfaction, because everything you have done has been worth it," said the tapatío who would almost reach the age of 40 in the next World Cup, which will be organized in 2026 by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, so he doesn't see it as an option.
He applauded Ochoa's decision to play in Europe
After the surprising signing of the starting goalkeeper of the Mexican National Team, Guillermo Ochoa, by the Salernitana team of Serie A, the Mexican has received a series of praises for the move. One of them came from none other than Andrés Guardado, former captain of the 'Tri'.
"I wish the best to my compadre, I know he wanted to return to Europe, it is never too late, I think that today in sport, especially in football, veterans especially in Europe are highly valued and I hope he can continue to demonstrate for a few more years what a good goalkeeper he is, I hope he can have great tournaments here," declared the 'Principito' in statements collected by tuttomercatoweb.
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