'Under the most pressure to win the Gold Cup' - Mexico's Luis Ángel Malagón says El Tri is under obligation this summer

The groups for the 2025 Gold Cup are set, and Mexico knows they will face Costa Rica, Suriname, and the Dominican Republic next summer. From El Tri's camp, the pressure is already on, with the team labeled as the one with the most pressure to win the tournament, which they have claimed nine times in history.

"I do believe we’re the ones under the most pressure to win the Gold Cup," goalkeeper Luis Malagón told ESPN. "Today, what all of us as Mexicans and players want is for Mexico to do well, and we have to work to stay focused on that goal. We have to keep rising, not settle, and go after bigger things,"

Malagón evaluates the moment he's going through as goalkeeper for América and possibly the starting goalkeeper in the next World Cup, which would be his first.

"It's been a bit of everything - ups and downs. I think at the end of the day, it's the excitement of continuing to work and doing important things to try to make an impact on the kids, in a good way. That’s what matters most to me, and delivering results because the team I’m in deserves it and that’s how it should be. But I’m happy with the moment I’m living," he said.

After winning their first Nations League title a few weeks ago by defeating Panama 2-1 in the final, El Tri now knows the opponents in attempt to defend the Gold Cup championship. Javier Aguirre's team will face Costa Rica, a team Mexico holds a 6-3-0 record against in this tournament. Suriname and the Dominican Republic will be new opponents for Mexico in an international tournament.

The Mexican national team has a new man in goal. While Guillermo Ochoa is aiming to play in his sixth World Cup, Malagón is emerging as the starting goalkeeper under Aguirre.

“There’s a lot of talent in Mexico," he said. "A generational change is always difficult because there are players who made an impact and continue to do so. We're talking about Memo Ochoa, Andrés Guardado, Javier Hernández, Carlos Vela. Those of us coming in or already here are eager to achieve big things, and that’s important for the future. There's a Gold Cup coming up, and we have to win it and reaffirm it, because it still belongs to Mexico."

El Tri will have two preparation matches ahead of the Gold Cup - against Switzerland on June 7 and against Turkey on June 10.