Mexico's Montes: Aguirre demands high discipline

Since Javier Aguirre took the helm of the Mexican national soccer team in August 2024, his focus has been on instilling a strong sense of identity and discipline. Aguirre, in his third stint as coach, felt players had lost their passion and commitment to the national team. To address this, the Mexican Football Federation launched "Project 365," a plan designed to ensure players considered for the national team maintain professional conduct both with the national squad and their club teams.

César Montes, one of the team's captains, confirmed the high expectations. "Javier's demands have been extremely high since day one, regarding discipline, not just in the national team but also in your club, and he really emphasizes being an example in everything," Montes stated. "The demands are high with him."

The coach has implemented strict rules, including a ban on cell phone use during meals. Instances of indiscipline have been met with scrutiny and sanctions. Examples cited include Roberto "Piojo" Alvarado's prank with a firecracker in a press room and defender Rodrigo Huescas's speeding incident in Copenhagen, both of which were strongly condemned by Aguirre.

Montes expressed confidence in Aguirre's leadership, noting, "He is the one in charge of everything, he is the one who chooses, and I believe that after such a long process, we are very excited for this World Cup at home." The team is preparing with high hopes for the upcoming tournament.