'Without a match, you’re left incomplete' - Mexico legend Hugo Sánchez questions Javier Aguirre's decision to host an El Tri 'microcycle'

Hugo Sánchez, one of Mexico’s greatest football icons, has expressed doubts over the usefulness of El Tri’s current mini-camp under Javier Aguirre.  The former Real Madrid striker argued that short three-day gatherings without competitive matches offer little benefit - neither for El Tri nor for the clubs that release their players.

Unlike a FIFA window, this camp only includes players from Liga MX that Aguirre wants to evaluate more closely. The idea is to keep certain names in consideration for upcoming call-ups, including a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

“As a coach of the national team, I went through that experience,” Sánchez said in an ESPN appearance. “I’ve never understood holding a camp without a game. When you train players for two or three days and then play, it makes sense. But without a match, you’re left incomplete.”

This week’s camp is the first of two that Aguirre and his staff pitched to the Mexican Football Federation as part of their long-term preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The second is scheduled for February 2026.

The Real Madrid and Mexico legend stressed that the competitive edge cannot be replicated in training sessions, criticizing Aguirre’s decision to call players for this three-day minicamp. 

“What you work on in training, the players will end up applying with their clubs, not with the national team,” Sanchez said.

While this microcycle concludes without a match, Mexico’s next official test will come in September’s FIFA window, when El Tri face Japan and South Korea in friendlies. Those games will serve as valuable opportunities for players to stake their claim for a World Cup roster spot.