Mexican national team figure Johan Vazquez complained about his lack of time on the field across the tenures of former head coaches Gerardo Martino and Diego Cocca, explaining “I have come to the national team and nothing else happens”.
The defender forms an integral part of El Tri, earning call-ups to all major tournaments including the World Cup and CONCACAF competitions. But he stood as an unused substitute under Tata Martino and Diego Cocca, failing to feature at all in Qatar and missing out on the starting lineup against the United States in Nations League.
“Yes it bothers me a bit because we all want to play, I remember that when I was in Mexico I didn’t play when I came to the national team, and I thought about going to Europe to gain that status and right to play. Today I play in Europe, and that situation hasn’t changed. I don’t know what to do,” he said.
“I have come to the national team and nothing else happens. I am a player who adds something to the team. I couldn’t tell you why I don’t play, it could be a lack of quality or I don’t know, it’s affected me. I would like them to no longer see me as the boy from Pumas and Rayados. I know I don’t play for a big club in Europe, but I’m sacrificing a lot of things. I want them to put themselves in my place, in my shoes.
“Put them in my situation: tell them how I’ve spent the last two years with the relegations, the language, the league. I’m going to report to Genoa but I don’t know if I’m going to stay there. I am a father and I would like a bit of peace of mind but I would like to continue competing, continue in Europe and continue coming to the national team, but I would like them to understand me a little.”
Following the 3-0 loss against the United States, reports emerged that Vazquez threatened to abandon the Mexican national team ahead of the Gold Cup campaign on June 25 due to frustrations from a lack of playing. But the defender later denied the rumors after Mexico’s 1-0 win over Panama in the match for third place, where Vazquez lined up with Israel Reyes to lead the backline.
Heading into the Gold Cup, Vazquez will be given a new opportunity to impress as Jaime Lozano replaces Diogo Cocca as the new Mexican national team head coach. Mexican Football Federation president Juan Carlos Rodriguez explained his decision to part ways with Cocca following a disappointing Nations League campaign, insisting games can be lost but “what cannot be accepted is the way in which it happened”.
Vazquez and Lozano are no strangers, as the new interim manager previously led the defender to the bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
