Mexico National Team has found their next gem: Nico Carrera

In recent years, Mexico National Team has had to battle with USMNT not only to become the CONCACAF Giant -a title that El Tri has lost in recent years given that they’ve lost three straight games against the Bars and Stripes-, but also for players that have both nationalities.

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That’s what has happened with players like Ricardo Pepi, who decided to play for USMNT and has established as a regular in Gregg Berhalter’s calls, as he debuted last year and already has played nine games with the senior squad, although he’s only 18.

Pepi has scored three goals and has the same number of assistances, showing that El Tri made a mistake by not giving him the chance of debuting with the senior squad. Julián Araujo is another Mexican American player, although he decided to wear El Tri colors.

Araujo is one of the few exceptions in Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s roster, as he has considered him in the most recent calls even if Araujo is just 20 years old and doesn’t have as much experience as Martino usually likes. But a new name now joins the list, as Nico Carrera has been impressing with his performances in Germany.

Who is Nico Carrera?

Juan Nicolás Carrera Zarzar was born in Pachuca in 2002, although he holds both Mexican an American citizenships. Carrera started playing soccer in CF Pachuca academy teams, and he later joined FC Dallas academy teams when he moved to the US.

Since then, he debuted in USL Championship with North Texas SC, FC Dallas reserves team, before moving to Germany with Holstein Kiel once his contract with North Texas was over. Although he arrived in their academy teams in 2020, he joined the senior squad at the beginning of the 2021-22 season.

Carrera has played most of the season in Holstein Kiel II, the reserves team that disputes the Regionalliga Nord, where he’s played 16 games and has scored two goals and one assistance. Those performances gave him the chance of joining the senior team, where he already played two games and even started their last match.

Can he play for Mexico National Team?

The 19-year-old center back has played for both USMNT and Mexico National Team U-17 squad, and even if his most recent appearances were with the Bars and Stripes, El Tri still has the option to convince him, as he’s said that he’s willing to play with the Aztec squad if the opportunity comes.

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