Why did Ricardo Pepe choose the United States national team at the expense of Mexico?

Only time will tell whether Mexico You will regret the loss Ricardo Pepe. Just remember that Edgar Castillo and Jose Francisco Torres, players who at the beginning of the century decided to wear the star and striped shirt, at the expense of the tricolor. While time makes its judgment, Pepi has already done so with hers.

At a press conference, the striker from FC Dallas He stated that his convictions did not have any loopholes. “So far, I think I made the right decision. The United States Federation has always been there to support meSince I was 13 or 14 years old. They gave me the opportunity to be where I am today. “I think it was the best decision,” he said.

Bibi holds dual citizenship; I was born and raised in United StateBut her parents are Mexican. Was part of some U-17 camps in tripartite; However, there was in his mind a non-negotiable desire, to play with the country that gave him everything.

“I spoke with my father, with my whole family and we just put everything on the table, before making the final decision,” he recalls the moment he had to make the final decision.

When will it be next Friday? Ricardo Pepe Come face to face with the country of his parents. truncated in MLS He was completely angry: This season he scored a total of 13 goals. He barely made his national team debut on September 8 against Honduras. Also on that day he scored his first goal as a national team. The fight to put the starting point with Josh Sargent will be fierce. Both rams are young and will not want to cede land. Sargent has the advantage of playing in Europe, with Norwich City.

Julian Araujo and David Ochoa They decide to take the opposite route to Pepi. Faced with the same existential dilemma (played with dual citizenship in the orbit of both teams), they both decide to resign from the United States Federation and make the change and stay under the Aztec coach, Gerardo stammer Martino.

Some European football clubs have expressed an interest in these two elements that could well integrate the Mexican national team’s process towards Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The rise of dual nationals has opened a new frontier in the football rivalry between Mexico and the United States. from two months Santiago Munoz, on the eve of his signature on Newcastle UnitedHe stated that he had not made a decision yet on which country he would represent. But later he retracted and made clear that his fate would be associated with the colors green, white, and red.

Disagreements are not new. In the 2000s, some players are already causing a stir with their choices. This is how Aztec players liked Jose Francisco Torres, Omar Gonzalez and Michael Orozco They became regulars summoned by the United States. It was a special case Edgar Castillo, who came to play friendly matches with Tre, in addition to A Pre-OlympicBut she decided to resign and represent the northern neighbor.

* Information under development