The $1 million reason that will keep Uriel Antuna out of the starting XI of Mexico National Team

Mexico National Team faced the last game of the CONCACAF Qualifiers with the objective of earning at least one point against El Salvador to ensure their ticket to Qatar 2022 while also avoiding the playoffs, something that they achieved after only 17 minutes.

More Mexico National Team news:

After his first goal in the qualifiers, how many goals has Uriel Antuna scored for El Tri?

Gerardo “Tata” Martino didn’t keep the same lineup that El Tri presented against Honduras, as he placed Uriel Antuna and Alexis Vega instead of Hirving “Chucky” Lozano and Jesús Manuel “Tecatito” Corona, as the starting wingers.

The return of Antuna to the starting XI arrives after five games since his last apparition in the opening lineup, when he replaced “Chucky” Lozano against Jamaica, who was suspended for accumulation of yellow cards.

But even if he’s showed that he has the level to be part of the starting XI, especially since moving to Cruz Azul, where he’s looking like his old self, it looks impossible that he can get back the starting role ha had at the start of the Qualifiers.

Why he won’t be part of the starting XI?

After he lost his place in Martino’s lineup given his irregular participations with Chivas, it was “Tecatito” Corona who filled the spot. Since then, he has become one of the most regular players for Martino, especially since FMF made him one of the faces of El Tri.

It would be a lie to say that “Tecatito” hasn’t earned his place in El Tri for his performances, as he was one of the best players in Porto FC for several seasons and has become a player that makes the difference with Sevilla, but he has secured his place in El Tri thanks to external factors.

“Tecatito” has become a favorite for the Mexico National Team sponsors, as he’s recently been the face of the TV spots and social media adds for a Mexican financial institution, which ensures his presence in the starting XI as he has to be in the spotlight.

How much does the sponsors pay to El Tri?

According to the report of El Financiero, whichever brand wants to sponsor the Mexican national team, they have to pay up to $1 million per year, but if they are paying that figure, they will pressure to have the player representing them on the pitch.

More Mexico National Team news:

Javier Hernández was vetoed from Mexico National Team for less than what this player did