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Midfielder Herrera confirms he’ll skip the Gold Cup

By Jahir M. Martinez

Porto's Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera runs with the ball after his team scored a goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match between FC Porto and Liverpool at the Dragao Stadium in Porto on April 17, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Porto's Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera runs with the ball after his team scored a goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match between FC Porto and Liverpool at the Dragao Stadium in Porto on April 17, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) /
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The Team Mexico star and his availability for the Gold Cup has been a topic of discussion.

After so much speculation, Hector Herrera finally issued a statement on his personal Twitter account stating that he will not join the national team this summer. The Porto captain cited his heavy work load in his message. “I need to recover my physical and mental well-being after participating in over 50 games with my current club so that I am better prepared for the next move in my professional career. ”

The former Pachuca star appears set to move to La Liga in Spain to play for Diego Simeone at Atletico de Madrid.

FC Porto is in second place in the Primeria Liga with 82 points, still trailing powerful Benfica which is in first place with 84 points. There is one game remaining in the season in Portugal and Herrera has played in 32 of Porto’s 33 league games. The Baja California native also played in nine UEFA Champions League games and a number of Cup matches this season.

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Herrera is a dynamic player for Mexico just as he is for Porto. The 29-year-old has been a key contributor for El Tri ever since the 2012 Olympics, when Mexico won the Gold Medal. Herrera was a valuable member of El Tri squads at the 2013 Confederations Cup, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the 2015 Gold Cup, the 2016 Copa America, the 2017 Confederations Cup and the 2018 World Cup in Russia. It is understandable why Herrera would feel he needs time off this summer.

Herrera is not only the player who has backed out of this summer’s Gold Cup 2019, much to the dismay of new Team Mexico coach Gerardo Martino. All-time leading scorer Javier Hernandez has asked out since he is expecting the birth of his first child. Star winger Hirving Lozano is also a question mark after picking up a knee injury late last month. One wonders if these moves will prompt reigning two-time MLS Player of the Month Carlos Vela to ask to join the roster.

On the other hand, the absence of a few veterans could provide more minutes for the next generation of players. It could also help shape Mexico’s roster for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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