Andres Guardado, one of the emblematic players of recent eras of Mexican soccer, was hurt by not being valued in Mexico, as it should be for a soccer player with the distinctions he accumulated in 20 years of successful career, the famous Little Prince.

When asked about the reasons for not having more recognition in his own country on Jose Pedrerol's program “El Cafelito,” the five-time World Cup player responded that the same question would have to be asked to Mexicans if they didn't have a broader perspective of what Guardado did in Europe. play more than 500 games in Europe, to play in five World Cups, to be captain of three teams in Europe. But I think people are like that because they say, since I didn't play for a big team, I didn't play for Madrid, Barcelona or United, that happens and of course it hurts,” Guardado emphasized.

Lack of professionalism in Mexico

On the other hand, I have established the differences that exist in the mentality of the Mexican player with the European one and that in Mexico, the conditions and quality on the field is not enough to stand out. in Europe.

Saved highlighted that one of the main differences is based on the long training camps that in Europe are seen as something normal, as something inherent to the work you do on the field, while in Mexico it is considered a punishment.

“Professionalism, in general, is complex. There, I think, a training camp is seen as a punishment for the player, they take it that way. There are coaches who, in Liguilla, would train you and the player saw it more as 'pfff', they saw it as a punishment,” said the player who came through the Atlas youth academy.

I have highlighted that in many European leagues players are high-performance athletes, while Mexicans see it differently,they feel it as an attack on their obligations and believe that it is exaggerated in Mexican football.

“The coach did it because professionalism didn't exist. They must think, 'If I don't focus them, they'll go partying and maybe I'm risking my job; so, I have to keep them close.' Here I realized that the mentality of the European, and in general of those who arrive, is very different,” Guardado said.

Indiscipline is an endemic evil in Mexico

Andres Guardado did not want to elaborate on this issue, simply limiting himself to stating that many players in Mexican soccer have been lost in this type of neglect that in the long run ends up costing them a lot.

“There is a lot of talent, many players who could have stood out, but: “In the end, the partying, the indiscipline and the lack of commitment to the organization that hired them won. There are many cases where they consider that stepping on a first division pitch is enough," he said.

Saved after his emergence with Atlas in 2005, he put in a brilliant performance that earned him a call-up for the 2026 World Cup, after a brilliant career that also saw him play in the 2010 South Africa, 2014 Brazil, 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar tournaments, which allowed him to become one of the latest icons of Mexican football.