Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 5y

Mexico's Edson Alvarez: Shame we won't face Argentina's Lionel Messi

CORDOBA, Argentina -- Mexico will be the underdog against Argentina for Friday's friendly, but El Tri defender Edson Alvarez laments Lionel Messi not being present to make life even more difficult for the visiting team.

"It would've been really nice to face Messi," said Alvarez in a press conference Wednesday, before training in Cordoba. "But his health comes first. Personally, it would've great to play against him."

Messi's absence from Argentina squads since the World Cup has naturally been a talking point in the country, although the Argentine federation (AFA) president Claudio Tapia is confident that the Barcelona star will be back.

"Having the best player in the world gives you a better possibility of doing well and we all want that," said Tapia on Monday in a news conference. "Now is the time to stop stewing over what happened in the World Cup and I have no doubt that [Messi] will continue [with Argentina]. I haven't spoken with him because it isn't time yet but I know his feelings for the shirt."

Argentina's forward line is stronger than most national teams even with Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero all absent. Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Roberto Pereyra and Erik Lamela are all potential starters on Friday in Estadio Mario Kempes, according to the local reports.

Mexico plays most of its friendly games in the United States and a trip to South America is an opportunity to show the squad can play in difficult environments, with Alvarez confident his team is up to the challenge.

"We've shown that in adversity, when we are the underdogs we step up," said the Club America player. "I like these challenges ... what better way to show our quality than now, against a great team in front of their fans? We all want to play the game already."

Alvarez wouldn't be drawn on rumors that Argentine Gerardo "Tata" Martino could be the new Mexico manager, but did hint that improving mentally is a key area to work on for whoever the incoming head coach is.

"The quality and potential is there," stated the 21-year-old. "We've missed out more because of mentality. We block ourselves. We showed the world against Germany that we were better than them. Mexican football can move forward."

Only seven of Mexico's current squad is based in Europe, although Alvarez hinted that a move could be on the horizon for him.

"Playing in Europe is every player's dream, at least it is mine," said Alvarez when asked by ESPN. "There is interest from certain teams and that is the only thing I can say."

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