Mexico

Mexico’s Guardado: “We All Share The Same Responsibilities”

El Tri’s Guardado has recognized that the European-based players are not above the players based in Mexico.

Aug 10, 2009 5:27:45 PM

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For many, the North American concept of a European-based player is that each one is automatically above the rest playing domestically.

That isn’t always the case though. For a while the Mexican defense has mostly consisted of three-European based players. Rafael Marquez, Carlos Salcido, and Ricardo Osorio all made up the Mexican back line when Sven Goran Eriksson was around.

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They were not too productive, though. During the past Gold Cup we saw a different look in the Mexican defense.

Jonny Magallon, Fausto Pinto, and Jose Antonio Castro were the base of the Mexican back that conceded a total of two goals during their Gold Cup run.

Just because someone is based in Europe doesn’t mean that person brings more to the team, and that is what Guardado tried to explain in a press conference.

“I don’t like having the European tag on me because in the end we are all Mexicans. We all come to do the same work and that’s how they presented it in the Gold Cup. We were criticized a lot when we came over. It was said that we should be playing with more responsibility than the players who play in Mexico,” Guardado said.

The coveted winger also added that he knows has to perform well, but so does every one else if they want to produce a positive result.

“I know I have the obligation to do things right, but we are all responsible for that, not just the players who play in outside leagues. We are all here to reach the same objective. On paper it's said that we, European-based players, have a greater responsibility, but I think we all carry the same importance and we all have to produce positive outcomes,” signaled the Deportivo la Coruña winger.

Guardado formed a part of the squad that defeated Trinidad and Tobago in Mexico’s last game in the Azteca. At the time the Mexican team seemed to have the pressure of the world over their shoulders.

Since the Gold Cup though, Guardado has noticed a change in the players, the fans, and even their style.

“Everything has changed a lot (since the last game in the Azteca); there was a lot of pressure on us because of all the comments that were made. It’s a different feel since we won the Gold Cup. There is a lot of optimism, which helps a lot with this important game. We have less pressure, we're more relaxed and that helps you to play better football. We’ve proven that the players in the Mexican league are at the right level to compete with whoever and I am sure we will all do a good job against the U.S. on Wednesday,” Guardado asserted.

Sylvestre Adame, Goal.com

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