Edson Álvarez has achieved much in a Mexico shirt, captaining his country, appearing at two FIFA World Cup finals, winning two CONCACAF Gold Cups and earning nearly 80 senior caps.
However, with Mexico not invited to participate in 2019 nor 2021, the 26-year-old has never previously taken part in a CONMEBOL Copa América, but that situation will change this summer.
For the West Ham United midfielder and his compatriots qualified for the expanded 16-nation tournament by reaching the semi-finals of their own CONCACAF Nations League earlier this year, joining the ten South American countries and five other CONCACAF qualifiers at the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States.
The 26-year-old is relishing the opportunity to lead his national team into a major tournament for the first time in his already illustrious career, and the chance to bring glory to a football-obsessed country of over 125 million people.
“It is always a pleasure to represent your country and when they call me it is always a honour to go there and show what I can do,” Álvarez told whufc.com.
“It is the greatest honour that I’ve had in my career because it is very important to be part of the team, never mind being the captain. I know I have a big responsibility and know that I need to help everyone and make sure we continue to have success.”
Mexico head to the Copa América with a squad combining experience – Álvarez is one of eight players named in the provisional 30-man squad with over 40 caps – and youth – 14 of the 30 have fewer than ten caps.
With so many recently capped players set to be named in Jaime Lozano’s final 26-man squad, Álvarez is interested to see how the new-look Mexico gel and perform on the big stage.
“It is always good to play with these players,” he confirmed. “There are a lot of new players around the squad, but we want to keep doing the right things and to help to rise and improve.”
The last time Álvarez appeared at a major tournament was in 2023, when they defeated Costa Rica, Jamaica and Panama on their way to winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
That tournament was also hosted by the United States and the Hammers star is hoping to draw upon those positive memories when Mexico, 14th in the FIFA World Rankings, kick-off in the same host nation against 55th-ranked Jamaica in their Group B opener on 22 June.
“It was a special group with a lot of good players with a lot of talent,” he said, reflecting on 2023. “At the end of the tournament, we finished with the trophy and that was everything we wanted in that moment.”
With 54th-ranked Venezuela and 31st-ranked Ecuador making up Group B alongside Jamaica, surely Álvarez and company can hope to reach the quarter-finals, at the very least?
“I don’t think it is an easy group and are they are three difficult teams to play,” he observed, perhaps mindful of Mexico’s failure to go past the last-eight in each of their three most-recent Copa América appearances, in 2011, 2015 and 2016.
“Every match will be difficult and hard, but of course we want to show what Mexico can bring to the tournament and we are really looking forward to playing those games.
“In this kind of tournament, you play against the best players, and it improves you as a player and of course I think I have enough experience to support and help my team and country.”
Of course, should Mexico successfully negotiate the group stage and go on a deep run, as they did in reaching two finals and three semi-finals in seven Copa América appearances between 1993 and 2007, it would please those 125 million fans back home, giving them a big confidence boost ahead of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada in two summers’ time.
“It is what I always want to do [inspire the next generation], to inspire the kids who have the dream to become a football player,” he explained. “So, for me, I just try to do my best on the pitch, and I know that I also have the responsibility off the pitch and I want to be an example for all of them.
“I watched all the Mexico games a child and the players always represent the country with a lot of pride. Now I am part of the squad and want to make sure that I keep on doing the same, if not better things for Mexico.”
