Mexico’s World Cup History: An Unlucky Seven
“There is no other country in the world that puts so much pressure on the national team coach,” said Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio. talking about Mexico before he coached it at the 2018 World Cup.
Martino, 60, of Argentina, expressed a similar sentiment and throughout the year he has pushed back against questions he considers negative and challenged the narrative surrounding his team.
In a press conference the other day Mexico vs Poland opening match on Tuesday, Martino was asked about the team’s lack of intensity. He has a problem with the premise. Ochoa, 37, called coverage of the team “a performance” and said, “We don’t even talk about the sport anymore.”
Vela, 33, added: “The passion in Mexico is so strong that the reality is lost a bit. People just want to see you win and win with lots of goals and overtake the teams. Otherwise, people want to fire someone.”
In an effort to improve the team’s mental approach ahead of the last World Cup, the Mexican soccer federation and Osorio hired what they call a spiritual coach before their trip to Russia. When asked if the move would help, Vela said, “We didn’t move forward, so you draw your conclusions from that.”
Hirving Lozano, a striker who plays for his club Napoli in Italy, said Mexico’s inability to win the knockout round was always on his mind. Rather than shun that record, Ochoa said it’s important to talk about the topic “fearless.”
After overcoming Poland but drawing goalless, Mexico will meet old enemy Argentina on Saturday. Herrera said his team is motivated to push through the past, for the players and their country.
“We have not progressed yet and we want to go further,” Ochoa said, “and we will try.”