Jesus Gallardo: 'Another Tournament' Begins for Mexico Against Ecuador

Jesús Gallardo, a veteran left-back for the Mexican national football team, has emphasized that the squad views the upcoming knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup as a completely new challenge. After securing a flawless record in the group phase, Mexico is set to face Ecuador in the Round of 16, a match Gallardo described as the start of "another tournament."

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We are very proud of what we achieved, but we believe the best is yet to come. It's a new tournament, so we are motivated but calm because we haven't won anything yet. We believe we can make history.

"We are very proud of what we achieved, but we believe the best is yet to come," Gallardo told reporters. "It's a new tournament, so we are motivated but calm because we haven't won anything yet. We believe we can make history." This sentiment reflects a team that acknowledges its strong group stage performance but remains grounded, aware that the pressure intensifies in the elimination rounds.

Mexico will play its first knockout match in the Estadio Ciudad de México, a significant advantage given they are hosts. Gallardo believes playing on home soil with their own fans will be a key factor. "I don't know if we are the favorites, but we are in our home, with our people, and we want to advance to the next round without underestimating Ecuador, as we know the quality of players they have," he stated.

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I don't know if we are the favorites, but we are in our home, with our people, and we want to advance to the next round without underestimating Ecuador, as we know the quality of players they have.

Gallardo also shared insights from a previous friendly match against Ecuador in October 2025. He described Ecuador as a "very dynamic team that attacks very well," while also noting their strong defense. The focus, he stressed, remains on Mexico's own capabilities. "We have to focus on ourselves. We know Ecuador's capacity; Javier (Aguirre) will talk to us about their strengths and weaknesses, so we must take advantage of that," Gallardo concluded.

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We have to focus on ourselves. We know Ecuador's capacity; Javier (Aguirre) will talk to us about their strengths and weaknesses, so we must take advantage of that.