Mexico nationwide staff head coach Gerardo Martino defined the choice to call Raul Jimenez to the 26-player World Cup roster, after damage considerations surrounded the Wolves determine within the weeks main as much as the squad announcement.
Martino confirmed Jimenez is wholesome, and can characteristic within the staff’s ultimate pleasant in opposition to Sweden earlier than touring to Qatar to kick off the World Cup marketing campaign.
“The choice about Raul was based mostly on his evolution and what we mentioned with the medical staff. He’ll in all probability have some minutes tomorrow vs. Sweden,” he stated in a press convention.
Many questioned Jimenez’s well being after a groin/adductor damage despatched him to the sidelines in September. The participant skilled individually from Wolves and Mexican teammates for months main as much as the roster announcement, elevating excessive considerations.
Jimenez stood as Martino’s best choice because the staff’s quantity 9, trumping Rogelio Funes Mori, Henry Martin and Santiago Gimenez within the hierarchy. He featured in most Concacaf tournaments and the qualifying cycle from 2019 to 2022, barring damage spells.
Although he’s managed 29 objectives in 96 appearances for Mexico, general, his latest well being and lack of taking part in time created nervousness. However after rounds of remedy and rehabilitation, Raul lastly joined Mexico on the pitch in Girona to safe his place on Gerardo Martino’s ultimate listing.
After Monday’s roster announcement, the eye will now shift to the Sweden warm-up.
“Our proposal would be the similar as all the time: to have the ability to play as we wish to play. To have our gamers in the very best form,” stated Martino. “Sweden is just like Poland in terms of fast transitions. They are often comparable however not similar. Tomorrow’s plan is to have our gamers on level.”
El Tri will kick off their World Cup event on November 22 in opposition to Poland, earlier than confronting Group C opponents Argentina and Saudi Arabia.
