Blanco Called Up for Mexico Friendly

It is about time.

After a ten-month absence from the Mexican team, forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been tapped to play for Mexico in next week’s friendly against Norway.

“I’m relaxed, happy, looking forward to doing things well, working and preparing for the national team like I’ve always done and giving the fans the big satisfaction I think they deserve,” Blanco said in an interview with a radio station in Mexico.

Blanco had been in coach Ricardo La Volpe’s doghouse after opting out of playing in the Confederations Cup last June. La Volpe has been criticized in the Mexican press for not calling up Blanco for Mexico’s final qualifiers.

Blanco deserves to be on the Mexican team. He has the skill, talent and desire to make a difference in Germany. Hopefully this is the first step towards La Volpe putting aside his own ego and doing what is best for the team.

Mexico squad for Norway match

Goalkeepers: Jesus Corona (Tecos UAG), Guillermo Ochoa (America).

Defenders: Mario Mendez (Monterrey), Oscar Rojas (America), Joel Huiqui (Cruz Azul), Edgar Duenas (Toluca), Duilio Davino (America), Fernando Salazar (Pachuca), Antonio Olvera (Santos Laguna).

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Atlas), Pavel Pardo (America), Antonio Naelson (Toluca), Luis Perez (Monterrey), Juan Pablo Rodriguez (Tecos).

Forwards: Cuauhtemoc Blanco (America), Francisco Fonseca (Cruz Azul), Rafael Marquez Lugo (Morelia), Daniel Osorno (Atlas).