Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 7y

Chivas boss Matias Almeyda: 'Mexico has a team to win the World Cup'

GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Chivas coach Matias Almeyda believes Mexico can win a World Cup, but that Liga MX clubs need to believe more in the Mexican player.

"I've had the chance to get to know the Mexican player, their idiosyncrasies and I'd go to the World Cup [with Mexico] to win it," said Almeyda in a press conference on Wednesday. "Mexico has a team to win the World Cup."

Chivas only plays with Mexican players as per the club's policy, but the former Argentine international stressed that he wasn't praising Mexican talent simply because he hasn't got the option of recruiting from abroad.

Instead, the 43-year-old River Plate legend lamented the way Liga MX institutions look to other countries for players in place of promoting youth prospects, with Mexico's top divisions increasingly made up of foreigners since the 10/8 rule was put in place.

Almeyda even suggested Mexican coaches are to blame.

"The problem is Mexican coaches, who believe in foreigners," continued Almeyda, adding that sporting directors and owners are also part of the problem. "They have the opportunity and sign foreigners. That's where Mexican football isn't going to change, because bringing so many foreigners closes the door to the Mexican player.

"The day they want to change, they can," he added. "It's simple: don't sign [from abroad] and use players from the youth team."

Almeyda also highlighted that the amount of players Mexico has in Europe is higher than it has ever been and that more need the opportunity to shine in the domestic league -- which the Argentine said is one of the best in the world -- if they are to continue to move on.

On Saturday, Chivas play Club Tijuana, whose Mexican coach Miguel Herrera only started three Mexico-born players in last Friday's 6-2 victory over Puebla.

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