Guatemala's Daniel Méndez Dreams of Special National Team Debut

Guatemala's national soccer team is intensifying its preparations for two challenging international friendlies scheduled for June. Under the guidance of coach Luis Fernando Tena, the squad is training at the High-Performance Center (CAR) as they gear up for matches against the Czech Republic and Ecuador, both of whom have qualified for the upcoming World Cup.

The team, often referred to as 'La Bicolor,' will face the Czech Republic, a World Cup opponent for Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea. They will also play Ecuador, a South American team drawn into Group E with Curacao, Germany, and Costa Rica. These matches are seen as crucial tests for Guatemala's squad.

Coach Tena has been gradually adding players to the roster, with 19 footballers currently participating in the training sessions. Notable inclusions are Jehú Fajardo, Arián Recinos, Jefry Bantes, John Méndez, and Daniel Méndez, who earned their spots based on strong performances for their respective clubs, despite not having been part of previous national team processes. However, some players like Harim Quezada and Widvin Tebalán, despite good form, were not called up this time.

Among the new faces is 20-year-old forward Daniel Méndez, who plays for Pachuca in Mexico's Liga MX. Méndez shared his enthusiasm about being selected for the national team. "I am very happy, very grateful to God and the coaching staff for giving me this opportunity. I will do everything possible to show the coach that I can be here," he stated. He aims to learn from his senior teammates and demonstrate his developed footballing level, expressing optimism about potentially debuting in the upcoming international matches. "I will be ready," he declared.

Méndez reflected on the significance of a potential debut with the senior national team. "I believe it's a dream for all children to be here in the national team and to debut. It would be something very special for me and for my family present. I hope the moment arrives," he expressed, highlighting the personal and familial importance of this opportunity.