Marco Antonio “Gato” Ortiz, one of the most controversial referees in Liga MX, reacted ironically to his absence from the list of 52 referees for the 2026 World Cup after his non-selection by the Referees Commission generated controversy and went viral.

Amid comments and questions about why referee Katia Itzel Garcia was chosen when her statistics and performance were inferior to those of “Gato” Ortiz, the affected referee stated in comments posted on his official Instagram account that: “Perhaps I haven't reached my goal when I thought I had, and you shouldn't always look forward, but also back and feel proud of what you have done.”

Hours After the list of 52 referees who will officiate in the United States and Mexico edition was released and Canada 2026, Ortiz made a post in a relaxed and philosophical tone, but without abandoning irony as a way of reacting to this decision, which he obviously did not consider fair, nor based on the reality of his performance on the field.

Gato Ortiz's Post

While on social media, refereeing analysts like Fernando “Cantante” Guerrero and Francisco Chacon expressed their disagreement with the appointment of Katia Itzel Garcia and the perceived indifference towards Gato Ortiz's work, which generated reactions from commentator David Faitelson and analyst and former World Cup referee Arturo Brizio, who used gendered language, the referee in question posted the following message on social media.

“We work hard to get where we are, only to feel that we haven't arrived yet. Sometimes, the goal moves further away just when you think you've reached it. You've already achieved the goals you once said would make you happy. Because in this world that never knows It stops you, it always seems like something else is missing: another achievement, another goal, another version of you.”

“But if you never allow yourself to feel that you're already there, When are you going to enjoy the journey?You've overcome more than you can remember. Today, take a break. Look back with pride, not just ahead with a sense of obligation. Because success isn't in the goal, but in the person you become while pursuing it.”

The reality is that no one was happy with the absence of Marco Antonio “Gato” Ortiz and the appointment of Katia Itzel Ortiz, simply because her statistics and performance were far from surpassing the overlooked referee and his colleague at the World Cup, Cesar Ramos.

Unofficial sources, speaking on condition of anonymity and gathered by La Opinion, claim that the Mexican Football Federation's Referees Commission decided to choose Katia Itzel Garcia to avoid giving the international impression that Mexican football is not at the forefront of gender equality.

That's why arguments about Marco Antonio Ortiz's superior performance and experience were useless, since the appointment was made several months ago and “Gato's” future was sealed in favor of the referee, who has been waiting for some time so that she wouldn't make any serious mistake that would jeopardize the Mexican authorities' election. outlet was assured that the election of Katia Itzel Garcia was purely for show.