Futbol Americas: USMNT Stars on the Move?

26:08Most players, most players that are fortunate to reach a certain level in their career, they hit a ceiling. and Anthony Robinson would have been at the danger that the ceiling was Fulham. Now there's an opportunity to break through that ceiling and if it becomes available and if it is a reality, if I'm Anthony Robinson, I'm banking on my knee, on my ankles, on my back, on everything that I'm going to be ready to play and I'm going to be fit and I'm going to be good for Liverpool because, again, it's a once-in-a-life sort of chance. How does this impact then, as Alec just said, Mau, because you move to a club like Liverpool, it's just going to elevate your level.

26:45How does this impact his role within the U.S. Men's National Team squad? Even though, because just a couple weeks ago, he was saying that he understands or he feels that his role there is no longer a guarantee because of his injuries, that he has to fight for his place, even though a lot of us would say he's definitely going to be the first choice. I absolutely understand where he's coming from. If I'm not fit, if I'm not available, what's a cliche? Your best ability, is your availability. If he's not available to the team, of course he's going to feel that his place is not safe. Now, if he's recovered well, if he plays consistently, shows no effects from his recovery, makes the jump to Liverpool, and Liverpool will have to compete at the Champions League level to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

27:37It's not a guarantee for Liverpool at this point. But as Alice said, he becomes an important player in that run, in that stretch. I do not see any scenario in which he's not the starter for the U.S. men's national team. Before the injury, he was probably one of the safest bets as who will start for the U.S. Back to his health, playing time at that level. I mean, how is he not a starter, a consummate starter for that team? All right. Well, because I bullied Mau a little earlier and reminded him that he wasn't a professional player like these two over here. I'm going to leave it there. Even though I was a better player.

28:15I'm going to let him have the last word on this Anthony Robinson. He just didn't get the chance. He didn't get the chance. Also, guys, because it's time to run it back, we're going to run it back. Mau, it's okay. You're one of my favorites. Speaking of one of my favorites, Chris Richards. He scored his first prime. Wait, is that Arsenal? Of the season. Unfortunately for Palace, it was in a loss. to Chelsea. Yeah, but gets 100 appearances for Crystal Palace. He's a player shown to be a leader and now very much a threat for both club and country on set pieces. He got his hair did too. That's right.

28:49Yes, King. All right, well, make me sick. Look at that. He better play well the rest of the year because Crystal Palace is in a relegation kind of... He's careful now. Dropping like flies over at Palace. Dropping like flies. So Patrick Adjumang, he scored his eighth goal for Darby County in a 1-1 draw with West Brom. Pochettino, are you watching? Are you thinking? He better. He better be watching. Listen, he's a different type of profile of nine. No nine has that size, that strength, and that aerial ability on the U.S. Men's National Team pool right now. So this is something that Marisa Pochettino is going to be paying attention to.

29:27Yes, indeed. All right, this is the one Alec couldn't wait for. Tim Ware, he got his second Ligue 1 assist as Marseille beat Lens 3-1. Ale, you love an assist. It's a beautiful ball. I like that. It is clean. It's your kind of range. It is my kind of range. Absolutely so. That would have been a nice little one-two, you and Tim Ware out on the pitch. That's a perfect ball. What are you talking about? I said that it was a beautiful ball. What else do you want me to say? I said it was beautiful. Perfect is better than beautiful. All right, well, sticking with the league. I know beautiful people, they're not perfect.

29:59Mackenzie also got his second lead. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Oh, wait, wait. Throw-ins and assists? Wait a second. It counts. It counts for fantasy purposes. It counts, okay? It counts. Both of the assists are in throw-ins. All right. Okay. All right, well, this is the one that our producer Beto was just vicious to put in. Joe Scali with an own goal in a 3-0 loss for Borussia Mönchengladbach against Stupac. He doesn't even see it. It goes off his back. Hey. Sorry, Joe. Joe, we're going the wrong way, Joe. That also counts for fantasy purposes. All right. Well, there's plenty more talk about European football over on ESPN FC.

30:42We are on seven days a week on ESPN+.

30:48All right. Let's talk about Mexico because they were in action over the last week. Two friendlies have settled down, Ale. The first one they want to get. I didn't say anything. This one up against Bolivia that just went on last night. Fifth minute. A chance here, but it is saved. I mean, Charlie, this is on a platter. Look at La Rami right here. This is a beautiful ball. Left-footed ball. He runs the channel very well. Puts it on a platter. And then, Moreno, that's your distance. That is my kind of range. You're asking me? I'm telling you that's my kind of range. 41st minute now. Bolivian on the attack.

31:24Nava dribbling past the defender, but Rangel makes a save. And the boring part is El Tal Arangel was the starter. Angel Malagón on the bench. Maybe we don't have a competition any longer, except he made this mistake that almost cost a goal for Bolivia. 67th minute now. Set piece for Mexico. They're in search for the goal, and they get it. Goes to the back of the net. It's chacastrophic from Lampe to begin with. Good Lord, what is that? And then broken play just falls to earth that I'm under turn my counter wrench once again, 1-0. Team of Shaka Strophic, bad tackle here. I mean, but they're both going for it.

32:07I could see it. I mean, unlucky, unfortunate. Well, the ref says straight red. All right, well, we're talking about L3, so I have three questions about L3. Did you like that, guys? Did you see pun intended? See what I did there? I didn't actually come up with it by myself. But you know what? It was a joint effort. All right. First question now, because if you didn't hear the little grunt at the beginning of the highlight, that was Ale Moreno because he wasn't exactly, I suppose, excited about the performances from Mexico in this one. But let me start with our Mexico expert. Mau, how concerning was the level and the quality that we saw from Mexico in not just this game, but also the game against Panama?

32:48Just keeping in mind that, of course, they are without a couple of the big guns because this wasn't a FIFA window. It was concerning because from the starting 11 against Bolivia, I can see five players starting against South Africa in the first game, the opening game of the World Cup. I see Marcel Ruiz starting. I see Jesus Gallardo starting. I see Reyes starting. Sadly, and it pains me to say, that I see Jorge Sanchez starting because there are no many more options at right back. and maybe we have ourselves the starting goalkeeper for the Mexican national team in El Talarrangel, although I truly believe that's still an open competition.

33:29But it is concerning. Diego Lainez, if he still plays well at Tigres, who else is going to start at the right wing for Mexico? Who else? He has a shot to become a starter in the World Cup. And if that's the level of the team, it is absolutely concerning. I know the rest of the ensemble are not here, especially Johan Vásquez, César Montes. I know we'll talk about Edson Álvarez, so we'll talk about him a little later. But I just don't see difference makers. I was not expecting to see great collective play by this team. But at least I was expecting a couple of those players showing something, A different spark that can make Javier Aguirre say, listen, if we're not playing great collectively, at least if the ball reaches this guy, then something can happen.

34:24And the Mexican national team right now doesn't have a player with those qualities. And the second part of this is the level of the opposition wasn't great. Bolivia, Panama, not great. So that's why I feel it was extremely concerning what we saw from the national team in these two friendly matches. Herc, do you agree with Mau? Would you be just as concerned? If we're going about just these two games, it's not concerning. Let's be honest, because you say five starters, you're still playing with another six guys that probably would know under no circumstances be there. You have no players that are your start players, no Raul Jimenez, no Santi Jimenez, no Edson Alvarez.

35:07You don't have the two center backs. It's not to bloat everything up. You still won both games. You're playing against opposition that isn't quality opposition, but neither are you at the moment. It's not a FIFA fixture date. The problem is you're coming off six games that you hadn't won before the Panama game. The problem is now you have eight halves of 90 minutes footballs, 45 minutes, those first halves, where you've not scored a goal. so you're accumulating the bad past performances that the heavy weights and and black cloud that hangs over this club and you're adding it to what mal just said nobody does anything for you but i don't think it was as concerning because i actually did see a few players where i was like oh hold on a second this guy came out of nowhere and now because of the depleted player pool has an opportunity maybe not in a starting role maybe one of them in a starting role but in a complementary role.

36:04There are some things you got out of it. Oh, by the way, you snapped a six-game losing streak. So I don't think the level per se was as concerning because we see this all the time. You throw on 11 guys who have never played with each other, a back line of four that's never played with each other, or five in the first game that never played with each other, a different goalkeeper, and things are going to look not as great. But they still won both games, and a few players raised an eyebrow or two for them to be in consideration for the next FIFA fixture. So I'm not as... Who? Richie Ledesma being one?

36:35Absolutely. You talk about Jorge Sanchez. Nobody wants to see Jorge Sanchez anymore. I actually think it's going to be Israel Reyes playing in the right back position when it's all said and done. But Richie Ledesma proved that he could be a player that says, you know what? I may be involved in the next FIFA fixture date. Because how he did against Panama, regardless of the level, it's not on him. That's an interesting prospect. And also, both nines, in the very limited time that they had in both games, showed you something. And when there's only one nine that's a guarantee, and Santi Mendes may be the big name but not a guarantee, so let's pencil those two guys in, there's still one spot up for grabs.

37:11And both these players proved, like, hey, I got a say in this. So I didn't think it was a total loss. But when you accumulate everything, that dark cloud that's been following this team around, I can see why Mal says this level is very concerning. Ale? Man, Eric, I wish you would live with me and were able to lift me up every day. like this. Boy, because it is. I know, I know. Was that her or was that chicharita? Oh, interesante. Interesante. Look, all I would say is that this black cloud that you're talking about with this national team, it's still there. It's still there. Yeah. In all honesty, there's no reason to get excited about this group.

37:54Whether it's five starters, six starters, 11 starters. If the reason to get excited is Raul Jimenez, with all due respect, let's be honest. Times are hard. Let's be honest. Then you're thinking, hold on a second, is that enough? Edson Alvarez, is that the reason to get excited? I don't see it. Nobody's talking about getting excited. But these two games don't make me more concerned for Mexico than I was already coming into these games. That's a reality. Right, but you're hoping that you see, as you're getting closer to the World Cup, that you start to find answers that are quickly apparent to you when you watch this team play.

38:34And every time you see this team play, you are finding more questions than you are answers. This is all I'd say about the Mexican national team. There is a reason to be excited. I'm going to give it to you. Oh, man, this is, I mean. Is it on the field? What's the reason? Is it on the field? Is it on the field? No, no, I think it's a very obvious one. They have the most accessible group that you could possibly hope for in the World Cup. And so, therefore... And in Mexico City. And, yes, you're talking about South Africa. You're wrong. South Korea. You're wrong. And whatever else comes in, the TBD team.

39:11Could be a Denmark. You, sir, you are wrong. All right, put Denmark somewhere in Mexico to play. I'm not saying the attitude won't be a factor. All I'm saying is that there is a reason to be excited because even with this group, you have a chance against those teams. And if you don't, then it tells you what the reality is of this Mexican national team. I thought you were with me in this. I was with you until the last statement. And hear me out. Hold on. You're telling me that the Mexico's group is a good group? I'm not talking about the level of the group. But you're seeing there's challenges.

39:43I'm going with the history of the Mexican national team at the World Cup. whenever we've seen the best of the Mexican national team is when they play strong teams. Whenever they face Italy, whenever they face France, whenever they face Croatia, whenever they face Germany. Those were the games when the Mexican fans said, yes, I am excited. the worst games we've seen from the Mexican national team is when they have to face teams like Angola South Korea Sweden in paper lesser quality opponents so now that they have to play South Africa 2010 that's a weak opponent yeah so's nation Mexico play like I was going to say a very bad word I don't curse on air I don't do that.

40:43I don't feel comfortable. Yes. BS. BS. So there's no reason to be excited about the opponents for Mexico in the World Cup. It's the opposite. It's going to be a lot of pressure. Those teams are not going to let them play. The style Mexico usually plays at the World Cup. So you, sir, are 100 % wrong with that assessment. Wow. No excitement because of the quality of opponents that they will face. They do have. I like you. You are so wrong. Unlike you, I'll tell you what it is. Unlike you, unlike you, I can see this with objectivity. You can see past the hurt. He's been hurt. And I can. That's fair.

41:25And I know hurt. That's fair. Don't I, Alex? You've obviously been cut very deep. Oh, yeah. And those cuts hurt. I get it. Still don't understand it. I get out of football. But here.

41:37After the show. After the show. All I'm saying is this group of players and whoever you want to that national team that we've been talking about, it's not to the standard to where they can compete with any of those big teams that you just mentioned. And so their best chance, their best and only chance to put themselves in a position where they can reach the goals that they want to reach in the World Cup is actually winning their group. And the only reason that they have an opportunity to win the group is because they're playing in a group that is quite accessible. You've played in Bolivia before, right?

42:11Yes, I did. You would agree with me that the altitude is an ultimate leveler here. Now we can include the smog. Not in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. That's lower. No, no, no, no. I'm talking about Mexico. I'm talking about Azteca. The altitude, the smog, the sun. I do believe there is a factor and an element that is favorable to this team where it gives them an advantage to any team in that group.

42:35But certainly the player pool does not leave you optimistic. But that's an ultimate leveler. So I think that group is, and maybe this is not a good thing, but a very wide open group. What did Luis Fernando Tena tell us about facing Mexico in Mexico City as of late? They don't respect them anymore. There you go. But now they got to play them there. All right. Well, let's go to the second question of my three questions. My three questions. And this one has to do with around Ale Moreno's position. We got the joke. I just had to remind everyone because we went on a little, you know, journey and rant.

43:11All right, Bertramé, is he the pick, Mau, ahead of La Hormiga, Armando Gonzalez? If the World Cup started tomorrow, yes, he would be ahead of El Hormiga. I truly believe Javier Aguirre really likes Germán Berterame, and he would be ahead. More experienced being there than that at Liga MX level. But if you ask me this question again in four months, especially if Germán Berterame completes his transfer to Inter Miami, I feel that Ormiga Gonzalez will be ahead of Germán Bertrami in the pecking order. I think Ormiga Gonzalez will have another fantastic season, maybe even winning another top scorer trophy in Liga MX.

44:09And Javier Aguirre would have his hands tight, and he would be forced to call Ormiga Gonzalez as the third number nine. Now, I believe it can happen that both of these players make the final roster. I believe it can happen because Germán Bertrami has played in different attacking positions under Javier Aguirre. But at this moment, yes, no doubt, Bertrami is a little bit ahead of El Hormiga. What do you think? They're just different players. They are, yeah. They're not giving one an edge. Well, right now the edge is Germán Verdad because he's played for Javier Aguirre at Rayados. Javier has gotten the ability to see him day in, day out.

44:54He values him as a player. He's a player that can play as a nine, a lone nine, with the ability of being that box striker. He can run the channels. He can play on the right. He can play on the left. When he won a goal-scoring title in Mexico, he wasn't the nine for San Luis, and he still won a goal-scoring title. He can play behind the nine. La Hormiga is a player that he's a nine. He's a goal scorer. Ali was talking earlier about the ability to find the ball. The ball finds you. You have these opportunities. That is La Hormiga. That is Armando Gonzalez. He is, respectfully, as close to Chicharito Hernandez as there is in this pool.

45:30A guy that maybe won't give you a lot besides the fight and the goal scoring ability, but his movements are so crisp and he finds the ball. I think there's going to be a spot for him on this Mexican national team. And maybe Bertram as Mau had said. But the thing is, if we're talking about who's a head in the eyes of Javier Aguirre, it's Germán Bertrami because he offers so much more. I think he's a more complete player. But in terms of goal scoring ability, there may be nobody in this pool that has that ability like Armando Gonzalez. Ale, you're looking at the highlights. What stands out to you?

46:03That we're actually having this question and actually considering this an important question when it comes to the Mexican National League. It tells you how desperate the times are. I don't care if you play with La Armiga, La Pulga, or El Piojo. It doesn't really matter to me. Well, all great players in their own right. This is Raul. Yes, absolutely. You wish you had one of those. All I'm saying is this is Raul Jimenez, ride or die. Yeah. And then whatever comes after that, then so be it. You hope that Santi Jimenez can at some point score important goals for the Mexican national team. But in my estimation, once you get past Raul Jimenez, and the best version of Santi Jimenez, whatever that is, because we don't see it all that often, I think it's a drop-off to the rest.

46:58And the rest includes Berterame, and includes La Hormiga, and includes this, or that, and this guy, or that guy. I really think this is Raul Jimenez, and then the rest. Go ahead. Quick question. Go ahead. Is Santi Jimenez a lock to make the roster? I think he's a lock, but I don't think he's a lock to be an important player, like a big role. A few segments ago, you mentioned that you're really banking on Raul Jimenez, which, unfortunately, Mexican National League fans, yes, they're really banking on him, but he's going to be 35 years old, and you're a small injury or a different form of way of being like, who?

47:34Who? What if Santi doesn't play at all before the World Cup? Is he still a lock? We'll have that conversation. All right. Guys, guys. We'll cross the bridge when we get it. We have a Sandy Jimenez interview. Sounds good. That's question number three. We have – no, I have question number three. We have Sandy Jimenez actually giving us answers later on. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. My bad, my bad, my bad, my bad. Question three of my three questions. Let's talk about the goalkeeper, shall we? Mau, Rangel, Talarangel. Is he now Aguirre's starting goalkeeper? And how do you feel about that? Because I feel it's almost like we could draw a parallel to the Mauricio Pochettino-Matt Fries situation.

48:12But what do you think? I feel absolutely all right. Because to answer your first question, the answer is no. I don't think that Arrangel is Aguirre's starting goalkeeper. I don't believe Javier Aguirre has a starting goalkeeper right now. That's worse. That's way worse. That's way worse, but it's just reality. For many World Cup processes, right? For many years, the Mexican national team never had a goalkeeper problem. Now they do. The goalkeeper position is a problem for the Mexican national team. So which one would be your number one? Yours. My number one? Your number one. Other than me. Angel Malagón is my number one.

48:55I feel Malagón is a better goal all-around keeper than El Talarragel. Do I believe Angel Malagón is a great goalkeeper? I don't think so. Is a good goalkeeper? Not great. I feel the same about Talarangel. And I honestly believe Javier Aguirre feels the exact same way. And we still have to talk about Guillermo Ochoa. We still have to bring Guillermo Ochoa to the conversation. Yes, I would have the exact same reaction. But it's just reality. Because if Tala Rangel or Angel Malagón clearly were playing at a high level, then Guillermo Ochoa is not a part of the conversation. But because they aren't here.

49:36But they're not playing at that level. So enter Guillermo Ochoa. But the short answer to your question is no. He's not the starting goalkeeper because I don't believe the Mexican national team at this point has a starting goalkeeper. Well, in my eyes, I think he clearly is the frontrunner. Listen, 2010, Memo Ochoa is supposed to be the guy at the World Cup. In comes Javier Aguirre, la second bombero, and he's like, not quite yet. And he brings in El Conejo Perez. And El Conejo had one advantage over Memo Ochoa, is that he commanded the box in a way that Memo Ochoa has never done in his career.

50:15Memo Ochoa is under the sticks, a very good reaction goalkeeper, doesn't come out for crosses, doesn't feel good commanding his box. Luis Ángel Malagón is that exact same goalkeeper. That is not what Javier Aguirre likes. What he does like in Tal Arranjel is that he's a lengthier goalkeeper who commands his box. And while I agree there's not too much difference in the all-around game after that, he has that advantage over him. And Guillermo Ochoa is in Cyprus. And I'm not a carnoisseur of the league in Cyprus, so I can't tell you exactly besides what I see in highlights of Guillermo Ochoa. Your lack of commitment to this show.

50:51It's disgusting. The fact that we still have this conversation, the fact that we have this conversation still speaks to what this goalkeeping pool is. I think he's the front runner, but we're splitting hairs if we're being honest. And I just think it's Javier Aguirre does not think Luis Angel Malagón is that guy. And maybe he's just a little bit more convinced that Tala Ranjel is just slightly better. All right. Well, in the interest of time, Ale, you don't have to weigh in on the goalkeeping. That's quite all right. Thank you. Thank you. Gracias. Lord knows you have to weigh in on a lot of goalkeeper chat with our boy Shaka Hisla.

51:23But I do have a bonus question. Three went to cuatro. And this has to do with Herc. You probably can identify with this. The two U.S.-born players who, of course, have been suiting up and chose to suit up in El Tri's shirt. They both have done pretty fairly well, I guess I could say. Do you think anything that they have done is good enough to earn them a future call-up? Well, in the terms of Brian Gutierrez, it came very quickly. He had a few games with Chivas. This non-fixtures that came about, one-time switch. He's done, gets called up. I don't think he did enough in these two games where it makes Javier Aguirre think, especially with the midfield options that he does have, the familiarity with some of those players that he does feel.

52:07But in terms of Richie Ledesma, Ledesma's a player that I thought did very well against Panama. He's a player from the right-back position, whether a wing-back or a back-forward, that's done very well for Chivas de Guadalajara. He's a player who feels very comfortable on the ball. He was naturally a center midfielder. He spent some time in Europe. I don't think fans, I don't think Javier Aguirre or pundits want to see much more of Jorge Sanchez. I really do feel that he's over Juliano Araujo. He's put Juliano Araujo on an island. He's never called him again. You've got players like Kevin Alvarez who aren't in their best moment.

52:40Club America, fans, pundits, Javier probably doesn't want to see him either. It's Israel Reyes, Jorge Sanchez, what's left of them. and I really do feel Richie Ledesma has a say in this. So he's 25 years old right now. If you're telling me, do I think he's going to be in the World Cup? I do. I do. I don't know if it's as a starter, but I see him being there because of what he can offer you and what the others haven't offered you. You're playing a converted right back in Reyes, who's a player I rate very much, but it's not his position. He's stay at home. Ledesma is not stay at home. He offers you something going forward.

53:17Mau? Brian Gutierrez has a shot at making the final roster. I think Richel Edesma has a shot at being a starter at the World Cup. That's the main difference between them two. I love Brian Gutierrez and what he has done with Chivas. I think he's been fantastic for Chivas, even though he's playing in a different position from what he was playing in Major League Soccer. But he's done great with Guadalajara, and Guadalajara has done fantastic to start the season. We'll see what happens the rest of the way. but I do feel like as we said with the number 9 spot, the goalkeeper the middle of the field, I feel it's different for Javier Aguirre, I think those 3-4 players are set so it will be tougher for Brian Gutierrez to make Javier Aguirre think how many options he has to be a part of that team but we've said it before right back, it's wide open.

54:19And if Richie Ledesma keeps playing at this level, again, he not only has a shot at making the roster, I think he has a shot at being a starter. All I know and all I would tell you is that the Jorge Sanchez hate in this show is real. It's alive. The hate or the deep analysis, breakdown of his poor performances. What's left of him? That took me a back. I don't think Jorge Sanchez is going to make it, guys.

55:15Advertisement If you didn't get an idea, there are a lot, and I mean a lot of questions, surrounding Santi Jimenez when it comes to his role in this Mexican national team and what exactly he can do at the World Cup this summer. So we sent our senior writer, Mark Ogden of all people, to Italy to speak to the AC Milan striker to try and get some answers for us. They had a great sit-down chat. Let's have a look. Hi, Santee. First question I have to ask you, how is the ankle? The ankle has been tough because there have been some weeks that, in the past I mean, that I was playing with pain and then the injury or the ankle started getting worse and worse so yeah, I needed to stop.

56:05But now I just want to see the present and the future and to live the past because the only thing we can change is the present to create the future. So I'm motivated that I'm doing a good recovery and I hope in a few weeks I can play again. The injury, does it go back to the Gold Cup in the summer? Have you been playing with it for quite a long time and it's been affecting you? Yeah, it's been a long time. Of course, at the beginning it was just a little bit painful. So we as a football player, if we have a little pain, we just keep going, you know. It's normal for us and I mean, I think it was like a mistake, but I know every football player would do the same, you know, because we love to play, we love to continue playing.

57:02So yeah, I mean, I keep going since the World Cup, Even before the Gold Cup I was with the pain and then it starts getting worse and worse and worse and now it's the time to stop. Has it been something that has affected you throughout your time at Milan? Since you came to Milan has it been just a problem for you at the ankle? I don't want to put any excuses, you know. I decide to play, I decide to play like this, so no, it hasn't been a problem. I just want to keep going, to keep working and to never back down, you know, just keep going and keep pushing because I trust myself and I know that the things with me personally will change for sure.

57:53Did you get to the point where you thought there's a World Cup in the summer, it's a big season for Milan, I have to get this done now, I have to get it fixed? Yes, for sure. For sure. For me, this season was like, for me, in May, I couldn't believe I had this opportunity with Milan, with the World Cup, with my national team, with my people. And then the pain starts coming and then it was the decision to do surgery, to don't do it because it's an important season with the Milan and it comes the World Cup. So yeah, it was a tough decision. But at the end, now that it passed some weeks, one month from the surgery, I can say it was the best decision.

58:43The only thing is that maybe I could do it before the decision. But like I said, the past, we cannot change it. So now I'm really happy that I made the surgery and just looking forward for coming. back stronger. So looking to the future, do you feel you'll be back soon? Are we talking February, March? Yeah, I hope in March I can be ready. That's the goal. Of course, it could be more, it could be less, but let's see the progress. But I hope in March I can be playing. Obviously, if you're fit in March, you play March, April, May, World Cup in the summer. How big is that on the horizon for you? No, I think it's a perfect time.

59:25I think we have, if we are talking for the World Cup, I have two, three months that I can prepare myself with double training, double sessions, and I know I will be fit as never. What is it like to, a World Cup is a special tournament anyway, but a World Cup in your own country, certainly the group stage, you've got three games in Mexico and the knockout stage early on. what does that mean to you to play in a World Cup on your home soil in Mexico? It's an amazing opportunity that God gave us because normally it's like some players do not live this, no, to play a World Cup in your country and we have the opportunity to do it.

1:00:10So yeah, we are really enthusiastic, is the word, I think. and we are really happy to play there because also our family will be there, our people, our stadium. It's our country, you know, so we need to be strong and we will be strong. And you missed the last World Cup, so how important is this World Cup? Yeah, yeah, for sure. I missed the last World Cup at the end, in the last list and, of course, it didn't feel really good because it's a dream for every football player to play a World Cup but this is football. Four years after I have a new opportunity, thanks God that he put me here in this place and I want to fight for the spot first and then for winning.

1:01:01So but what is it like for Mexico because we know every time a World Cup Mexico must get to the quarterfinals and it hasn't happened since 86 when you last hosted the World Cup so is that an intense pressure that you feel because the home fans expect so much? Yeah, I mean, the fans expect a lot to pass, it says in Mexico, el quinto partido, the fifth game. And now that we are home, I think, I would not say easier because every game will be tough, but I think with our people at home, in Mexico, I think we can make it for sure. and we will work for it because the words, it doesn't work if you just talk.

1:01:45You need to do it and we are trying to work as hard to complete that goal. So Mexico is a family. USA-Mexico is not a family, it's kind of rivals, but you've got a USA rival at Milan in Pulisic. Do you talk a lot about the World Cup and Mexico-USA and who's the best? Yeah, yes, of course, of course. This is always a dressing room talk. Not just with Pulisic, but with everyone. They make jokes to us or they ask who is better, USA or Mexico. And I start saying Mexico, Pulisic start saying USA. It's a fight in the dressing room, but everything with love. At the end, if we play a game, we are enemies.

1:02:28Like you say, we are rivals. But in the dressing room, he's one of my best friends, Pulisic. So yeah, we are always together. and I hope if he's not playing against Mexico that he does well but if he's playing against Mexico of course if I need to kill him, I kill him it is like this you have to do better than USA as Mexico do you have to be better than the US? yeah I know well myself I would love to play against USA in the World Cup because of this rivalry that the football brings and because the fans love this, love to live these types of games. So how big was the Gold Cup last year? You beat the US in the final.

1:03:14Yeah, it was amazing. For us, win the World Cup, it's amazing, but beat USA in the final World Cup is the double. So yeah, this rivalry starts a long time ago and it keeps going. so I know the fans enjoy a lot to beat USA so it was we were really happy to win the World Cup against them. So with Christian has he helped you you've been injured and you've been recovering has he been a close friend that helped you you know come through that difficult time? Yes yes he was a really good friend in this difficult moment we have a lot of things in common he's also a believer of God. He is also, we like NFL, we like some sports together and we watch it.

1:04:06Sometimes we go, I go to his house and do a barbecue and watch the NFL. So it's a nice teammate, a nice friend. But yeah, at the end, if he put the shirt of USA, he's a rival. Obviously, in terms of the World Cup, if Mexico win their group, there's a possibility you could play England in the round of 16 in the Azteca. Now England fans will remember the Azteca was a very famous venue, the Hand of God was in the Azteca. If you play England in Mexico in the round of 16 that would be a very tough game for England, yeah? It would be really tough to be honest but I mean at that stage everyone who you will face up it will be hard you know.

1:04:49But something I have seen in the dressing room is that even if we are not the strongest national team, no one wants to face Mexico. In Mexico, no one. I think everyone in the dressing room was telling me this, like, I hope we don't face Mexico because we know you are really hard, you are really strong. And more if you are at home. So I know like what we think about England that is really hard the national team to play against I know they they think the same. But how special is the Azteca? It's amazing it's amazing when you see 90 ,000 people with the with the green shirt everyone screaming it's difficult for the rivals and for us it's like a push a giant push push.

1:05:47Can I just ask you about Gilberto Moura you talk about the pressure on Mexico but he's 17 years old do you guys have to protect him a little bit from the focus because I guess he will get a lot of pressure because he's so young this year. Yes he's he's having a lot of pressure but I think he he's really mature you know if the word mature yeah like he knows how to manage the things. He plays like he has 30 years, it's incredible. But yeah, we will protect him a lot because he's our kid, he's our friend, our brother, like I said, it's a family thing. Also, I know that he has a really good family behind him that supports him a lot.

1:06:31He has a team that also supports him a lot, so I hope he will get a good career. Can he be one of the players that emerges as a star at the World Cup? Yes, I think he already does. He's already amazing with his club. We saw him in the World Cup. It was his first tournament with the national team. And like I said, I think he was the best player of us with 17 or 16 years old. So, yeah, we respect a lot of that. And I hope he continues like this. It's also important the mentality, as you say, so we will keep him away from the bad side of the, I don't know how to say it in English, but the lado malo, the noise.

1:07:24Yeah, with the noise and everything. So we will try to push him a lot to be the player that he potentially sees on him. Can I just ask you one question about the US? As an outsider, as a Mexican, how far can the US go in the World Cup? Do you think they can meet the quarterfinals or do you think that maybe not? USA? Yeah. No, I think they have a really national team. I think they can make, if I need to say something, maybe quarterfinals. I think they're strong. And let's just finish on a positive note It's in January now You're confident of getting back in March What does the perfect 2026 look like for Santi Jimenez?

1:08:09Well, first thing I just want to be good from the ankle I think that's the main goal Talking in football issues So I want to be fit 100 % And then if I am good with the ankle I think everything will come alone you know everything will come automatically because I'm a worker I know how to do the things and I just want to be fit from the ankle and then from that just keep going keep going for the World Cup I will be I will be ready yeah. Santi Jimenez there speaking to senior writer Mark Ogden even though you couldn't see him but you could hear his translating abilities just a bloke from Manchester in the UK.

1:08:59Who knew? Who knew? Alright, well what stood out from what Santi had to say? Because like I said, so many questions surrounding Santi especially this year. Did he answer any of them for you? I mean, he's in good spirits. He's very positive about his chances of returning in good form, recover from the injury. It's a shame that it took that long of time to decide on a surgery. he could be playing right now if that decision would have been made a little sooner but as he said there's no point in looking back just thinking of the future his mentality has never been an issue but that injury came at a really bad time for him he was playing, he was starting, he was not scoring and then he goes down AC Milan are forced to sign another number 9 in full group and he scores he's been a regular so the fact that he sees a plan for his recovery for his return and the and the fact that indeed there is a time frame for him to be available for the national team that was that was just nice to see uh listening to him in good spirits now it's it's one thing to say it during an interview it's a very very different thing to have the all clear from the doctors and then after that going back to your previous form um i think that's what stood out he's in good spirits but he also understands that he has to follow a time frame for his recovery kirk listen satayman isn't that pressure only from macy milan he's got pressure on all fronts mexico right now playing at home with the weight of historical world cups going against them el quinto partido all that that's a lot of pressure right there for any mexican player plus you've got to worry about your post club career because those games that he was still injured and nobody knew about that injury not playing well not scoring goals well there was a trade being cooked up a trade for players dovick from roma to ac milan you had the sporting director actively talking about this while you're on the field if he doesn't in those two months that he thinks he's going to have double sessions get in that form not only for the world cup but get his affairs in order to stay a player at AC Milan, they've spent$40 million for him.

1:11:23That's not something AC Milan does often. So there is a necessity that you need to be that guy now. If he can't do that in those two short months, it's not only the World Cup that's in jeopardy when it comes to form, it's his club career and where he goes from that. Santi Jimenez is a forward that needs space, is a forward that needs the time, is a forward that needs everything in front of him. He's not an associative forward. He's not the Raul Jimenez that can do things for you. He's got the work rate. Yes, he does. But his best traits are his movements and putting the ball in the back of the net.

1:11:52He's not putting the ball in the back of the net with AC Milan. He's not been doing it with the Mexican national team. And now he's in a time crunch. We've been injured before, Ale. You know it's not that simple. You've got two months. You're going to be fine. They're going to be double days. Time really is against him. Injuries are never a good thing. But let me just frame this as potentially a positive for Santa Jimenez. The timing in the injury is not great. I think we can all acknowledge that. But in having this injury, I think it allows him to get away from the game and start building up not only physically, but I think more importantly, mentally.

1:12:36Mentally, to where he can now tell himself, I can trust my ankle. The problem was the ankle. That's what he's going to tell himself. It was the ankle. But now the ankle, I can trust it again. I'm recovering. I'm going to be good. And because I'm a hard worker and he's selling himself, I'm a worker. The one thing that I'm concerned about is my ankle. That's taken care of. Then everything is on me and I can trust myself to do the job that I've been doing since I was a kid. The thing that I know how to do best, which is to put the ball in the back of the night. I wasn't scoring because of the ankle.

1:13:06No longer is the ankle a reason to be concerned. And so mentally, just as much as physically, all these things go hand in hand and allow him to think that he is going to be ready. That he is going to take on the double days. That he is going to be excited about being part of the Mexican national team. That he is dreaming of walking into Azteca Stadium and take all the love and the pressure and the moment of the Mexican fan. Again, you can only do that if mentally you're in a place where you can trust your body. And you can only trust your body once you take care of your body. and he needed this break in order to do that.

1:13:41This is all a beautiful story I've told you. It is very beautiful. Very big. Very oblifting. He's got a score goal. End of story. Simple as. Simple as that. And if Hormiga Gonzalez keeps scoring at this rate, if Germán Bertramé makes the move to Inter Miami, plays alongside Lionel Messi, and maybe we see an even better version from Germán Bertramé, Raúl Jiménez is a starter. That's why I asked before, is he a lock? It feels like he is. But there's no guarantees in this. You guys know this better than I do. So I would be very, very concerned if that happens. Oh, it's the ankle. Now I get to play.

1:14:26And if he doesn't score, then it wasn't the ankle. Then it was something else. That's why I said he's got to score goals. He's got to score goals. Simple as well. You can have a look at our other show, Ahora o Nunca. Mau is always on that one. So is our Herc. Ale is still waiting for his invitation. That's quite all right. We can't afford the fee. We can't afford the fee. Have you been in the show? You've been in the show. I have not. It's quite all right. Yes, you have. On ahora nunca. En los Angeles. Nunca. That's a nunca. Nunca. Ni ahora ni nunca. Seattle versus LAFC postseason in Los Angeles.

1:15:05You were part of our own nunca. Oh, that's right. That's right. You've been in the show. You don't remember, but it was memorable. It was memorable. It was memorable. All right, well, that's it for this edition of Football Americas, but we're going to continue bringing you some exclusive interviews because on Thursday I've got to sit down with the USA's Tyler Adams and give you a little injury update and just a little tease. It may be some good news. He may be back sooner than later. Knock on some sorts of wood here. But definitely make sure to check out Football Americas on Thursday because another U.S.

1:15:34men's national team player could be headed or is headed to La Liga. We'll talk about that then. But for the moment, we're going to try and dig our cars out of the snow and get home in one piece. Thank you for watching. See you Thursday. The car is driving you. I don't know. Uber. Oops. I'm in Uber. Oh, fair. I don't know.

1:16:07Thank you.