FC Barcelona was after him, but Gerardo Martino didn’t want him in Mexico National Team

One of the things for which Gerardo “Tata” Martino has been criticized the most during his stint as Mexico National Team coach is for the lack of opportunities he gives to young players to prove themselves with the first team.

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Gerardo Martino ignored him and now he decided to not play for Mexico National Team

Martino is known for calling the same players over and over again, even if they don’t have the conditions to be part of the national team or after they’ve been involved in punctual mistakes that have cost them points, something that has been usual in recent games.

Players like Rogelio Funes Mori, Henry Martín, Julio César “Cata” Domínguez and even Guillermo Ochoa keeps appearing on Martino’s list prior every FIFA match window, something that sends a clear message to the young players that want to be part of El Tri: there’s no room for you here.

Although some of these players, like Marcelo Flores, have consistently showed their desire to play for El Tri and don’t mind waiting, others have decided to play for a different national team, like Ricardo Pepi with USMNT and most recently Luka Romero, who is considered to play for Argentina National Team.

Who is Luka Romero?

The 17-year-old offensive midfielder was born in Durango, when his father was playing in Mexico’s second flight. He holds three nationalities: Mexican, Argentinean and Spanish, given that his family is from Argentina but lived in Spain after leaving Mexico, where he was monitored by  FC Barcelona after his debut.

He started his career with RCD Mallorca academy teams, where he was considered a few occasions to play with the senior squad, becoming the youngest player in La Liga to ever debut, with just 15 years. Romero joined Serie A side SS Lazio this season, where he’s had minutes in Serie A and Coppa Italia.

Can he still play for Mexico?

Romero hasn’t debuted yet with any national team, which is why he could play for Mexico, Argentina or Spain, although he’s said in the past that he wishes to play for La Albiceleste, given that they were the first to give him an opportunity.

Both Mexico and Spain national teams have tried to convince him several times to join their academy squads, but he’s declined every single time, given that he is focused on playing with Argentina, where he’s been part of the U-15 and U-17 squads and now is part of the preliminary list of the senior squad.

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