Hector Herrera Urges Mexico To Shed Small-Side Mentality

Porto midfielder Hector Herrera has urged Mexico to shed their small-side mentality ahead of this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia. El Tri have been ousted in the round of 16 in each of their previous six editions of the global tournament but Herrera has urged the nation to push for a quarter-final spot this time around.

Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca, he said: “We have to stop these fears, stop believing we’re a small team, stop going on about ‘the fifth game’, believing that we won't reach the fifth match. We have to think about becoming champions, in wanting to lift the World Cup. I think if we reach the next round, it is proof that we are up for big things and can cause that surprise and impose the feeling that we are a great side at the World Cup.”

Herrera has been one of Porto’s leading performers ahead of the World Cup and he has managed 63 caps for the nation since making his debut in 2012. Despite this, he is not taking anything for granted and the midfielder remains anxious over whether he would be picked by Juan Carlos Osorio for the upcoming tournament.

Mexico have been one of the regulars at the World Cup and they will be appearing for the 16th time at the global competition this summer. Only Brazil (21), Germany (19), Italy (18) and Argentina (17) have managed to feature in more editions than the El Tri. Regardless of this, they cannot expect an easier route to the playoffs after being pitted against Germany, Sweden, and South Korea in their group.

The North American nation begin their World Cup campaign against reigning champions Germany on June 17 and a defeat in that game would surely see them playing catch-up to make the knockout stage. Sweden and South Korea have improved on their team strength in recent years and the former most-recently shook the footballing world by ousting Italy in the World Cup playoff.