Rafa Marquez: Players in Mexico have no say

Posted Friday, October 25, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

Former Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez weighed in on recent changes in El Tri on Wednesday after training with the national team, indicating that in Mexico players’ opinions don’t count for much.

“Here in Mexico, the footballer’s opinion comes last, it is almost not taken into consideration,” said the Leon player after new coach Miguel Herrera’s first training session in Mexico City on Wednesday, in quotes published in Record.

It is widely thought that players from Club America will make up the backbone of the starting XI as Herrera – on loan from Las Aguilas for next month’s playoff against New Zealand – tries to meld together a team at short notice, something which Marquez seems to be in agreement about.

“In the short amount of time there is, it is important to have a base, above all to work, because now we need to have a (clear) idea (of how we are going) to play,” added Marquez.

The 20-man Mexico squad officially met up on Tuesday night after America crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions League 1-0 against Alajuelense in Estadio Azteca.

The group will stay together until after next Wednesday’s friendly in San Diego against Finland.

One possible addition before the New Zealand playoff could be Argentina born winger Ruben Sambueza, who told press in Mexico City Wednesday that he is hoping the necessary paperwork for him to be eligible for Mexico will come through within the next week.