In a World Cup that was born surrounded by controversy, Mexico landed in Qatar with its own storm. And it has its own name. Everything Gerardo Martino does or says is subject to summary judgment and the Argentine always has to lose.
Its last chapter, the 2-1 defeat against Sweden on Wednesday in the last friendly prior to the tournament. A stumble conceding a goal in the final stretch against a Nordic team on vacation, which played without the tension prior to a World Cup.
different scenarios
Fans on social networks, former players and journalists fire mercilessly at ‘Tata’, to the point that the coach, with a mixture of grief and relief, thanked a tactical question during a press conference at the end of September.
"It took four years for someone to ask me a question of this nature. I thank you and everything you said is as is. I would go give you a hug"said the man from Rosario, who not even when he was leading Messi’s Barcelona did he suffer so much pressure.
This Thursday, on Qatari night, the Mexican expedition will land at Hamad International Airport. From there you will travel to the Simaisma Murwab Resort, about 40 kilometers from Doha.
And on Tuesday comes Poland, their rival on the first day of a complicated group C completed by Argentina and Saudi Arabia.
Once again, the objective is to break the curse of the fifth game, to finally play the quarterfinals after seven consecutive eliminations in the round of 16, since they fell in this round in Italy-1990.
"Behind the scenes there is a scenario that evidently does not exist behind the scenes and this gives us hope. We are going to compete very well. Beyond a defeat, you enter the locker room and the players are talking about football situations to correct"said the ‘Tata’ on Thursday in Girona (Spain) after losing to Sweden.
Lainez and Giménez, the absences
Are there reasons to believe? "The only thing that can change people is based on the result, having the best World Cup, nothing else is worth it"acknowledged Martino about how he can return the illusion to the Mexican fans.
The latest wave of criticism of Martino came on Monday after his squad list, mainly for not bringing two rising talents, Feyenoord striker Santiago Giménez and Braga midfielder Diego Lainez.
On the other hand, he did save a place for Raúl Jiménez, a veteran striker who has dropped his performance since his serious blow to the head in 2020 and who also returns after groin pain.
controversy and justice
The coach is also questioned about the inclusion in the list of striker Rogelio Funes Mori, an Argentine nationalized Mexican, with little activity with Monterrey in recent championships and considered a protégé of ‘Tata’.
Among the biggest critics of the Argentine, the Mexican legend Hugo Sánchez, who applied to take charge of the team a month and a half before the World Cup. "I deeply regret that ‘Tata’ Martino is the technical director of the national team"reiterated the former Real Madrid goalscorer.
Another glory of the Tri, the charismatic goalkeeper Jorge Campos, appears in the depleted ranks of his defenders. "Martino for nothing (he is to blame for everything). Everyone goes against the coach, but he was not there for 15, 20 or five years"he noted Wednesday on ESPN.
Once again, Mexico arrives at the World Cup shaken by its ghosts. "In our football there is controversy, but justice is always sought"recognizes the manifesto that is included in the pre-competition dossier delivered to the press.
With more than 70,000 Mexican fans traveling to Qatar despite low expectations, as always it will be the ball that determines who is right.
