In previous processes leading up to the World Cup, Ángel Sepúlveda was left out of the squad list that Mexico submitted to FIFA. The most recurring players in their position – Raúl Jiménez, Javier Hernández, Henry Martín and, recently, Santiago Giménez – conditioned the choice of new attackers in decisive matches for seven years. Everyone seemed to be before him, including those who received their naturalization letter after arriving from abroad like the Colombian Julián Quiñones and the Argentines Rogelio Funes Mori and Germán Berterame.
“It is the story of my entire career,” says the 33-year-old striker. “Having to find a place, generate more competition among my teammates and play. It seemed very far away, but I never stopped trying.” Since his arrival two seasons ago at Cruz Azul, Sepúlveda has scored 18 goals in the League, nine of them in the regular phase of this Apertura 2024. In the 2017 edition of the Gold Cup, Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio, then coach of the Tricalled the Michoacan to play four games against El Salvador, Curacao, Honduras and Jamaica.
Although he did one of the many to reach the semifinals, the 2018 World Cup in Russia was far away with Jiménez’s calls, Chicharito Hernández and Hirving Lozano, then figures in European soccer. “Now I have more experience,” he emphasizes. “I feel with that commitment and responsibility. It’s not going to be easy at all, we know that we are going to go to war in Honduras. They are going to try everything to make us uncomfortable. We have to be focused, not get too caught up and manage the emotions of the game.”
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#play #war #Honduras #Ángel #Sepúlveda
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1. Starting with Ángel Sepúlveda’s journey to the World Cup roster, can you tell us about the challenges he faced as a striker trying to break into the competition with so many talented players ahead of him?
2. How did your experience with Juan Carlos Osorio and the Colombian national team help prepare you for this opportunity with Mexico?
3. In your opinion, what unique skills or attributes do you bring to the table as a striker that make you stand out from other players in the position?
4. How do you plan to contribute to Mexico’s chances of success in the upcoming World Cup, considering the challenging group stage draw against Honduras and the other nations in your group?
5. Can you speak to the importance of team chemistry and camaraderie in high-pressure situations like the World Cup, and how are you working to build strong relationships with your teammates at Cruz Azul and now with the national team?
6. You’ve mentioned that you’ve had to generate competition among your teammates to earn your starting spot. Can you describe your approach to maintaining that competitive edge while also fostering a supportive environment within the team?
7. With the World Cup being such a high-profile event, there’s added pressure on players to perform. How do you manage your mental and emotional state leading up to and during games to ensure you’re at your best when it matters most?
8. Lastly, what does it mean to you personally to represent Mexico on the international stage and how are you prepared to carry that pride forward into the tournament?