were discounting the US national team for using foreign born players in the 1994 World Cup? Mexico hit by another naturalization row MEXICO CITY -- Mexico's national team has been hit by another row over naturalized players after coach Ricardo La Volpe said he was interested in the services of Argentine-born midfielder Walter Gaitan. La Volpe already has two naturalized players in his squad -- Brazilian-born midfielder Antonio Naelson and Argentine-born foward Guillermo Franco -- and the subject has split Mexican football down the middle. Critics are especially angry because La Volpe has overlooked Mexican-born midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco and striker Adolfo Bautista, who many feel deserve a place in the squad. The volatile Blanco, in particular, is regarded by many as Mexico's best player. On Friday, Gaitan told the sports daily Record that he had met La Volpe and said he identified more with Mexico than the country of his birth. "I've known for a long time that it's very unlikely (to be picked for Argentina) and I want to play football, I want to dream about going to the World Cup," he said. "I love Argentina but now I spend more time here and I identify more closely with the people of Mexico. If I have a chance to represent them, I will do my best." Earlier this week, La Volpe told the sports newspaper Record: "The media are very enthusiastic about Cuauhtemoc and Bofo (Bautista), but I believe that if, in the last two championships, we have to talk about a goalscoring midfielder, then it is Gaitan. "As far as I'm concerned, he's Mexican." THREE YEARS Naelson, who has lived in the country for nearly 10 years and is married to a Mexican, was the first foreign-born player to be picked by La Volpe. He was a regular in the qualifiers and became the first naturalized player to score for Mexico when he was on target in a 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago. Franco, who plays for Monterrey, was then picked to face Guatemala in October when Mexico had already qualified. Unlike Naelson, he has only been in the country for three years. Former Mexico international Hugo Sanchez has led the crusade against the use of naturalized players, saying he would be saddened if his country were to win the World Cup with a team of players born outside Mexico. Toluca president Rafael Lebrija said: "I don't agree because the only naturalized player who played in the team which qualified was Naelson. Since then, he (La Volpe) has picked another and now he wants yet another." The media have also criticized La Volpe's policy. Meanwhile, Blanco seems further than ever from his third World Cup after La Volpe said that he had to work harder. Blanco has not been picked since he declined to play at last year's Confederations Cup in Germany, saying he needed a rest. "I haven't got any sort of problem with La Volpe but if the coach doesn't want to pick me, what can I do," said Blanco. "I know I'm one of the best." Getting desperate, are we? Afraid you'll be fininshing behind the US again in 06? Unless Freddie Adu makes the squad, which isn't likely, the US will have exactly 0 foreign born players.
you need to put [SOCCER] in your thread title, so nobody clicks on it. Just playing. Here are my two pesos on it. Arent Mexican soccer players/fans proud? So why the hell would they want to see some Argetine scrub who couldnt make it for their country. That doesnt mean you take up citizenship in another country. It means there are just some better players than you from your country. There shouldnt be any shame in it.
One reason about not including Cuauhtemoc Blanco in the National team is because he is a cancer for the team, he is like TO or Ron artest, he destroys the chemistry of the team.
YES!!!!! Is "your username on a thread title" a part of the triple crown Clutch BBS qualifier items? F*ck. Now I have to hate my own team for that shiznit... NOT. I hear you, leroy. This is different. The problem in Mexico is that you can hear the critics say: "Man, that shiznit is wrong, LAVOLPE!!!" But the f*cker won't listen. When the EE.UU. got foreign-born players, no one said sh*t. That's the crap that pisses me off. Everyone in the EE.UU. will say: "yeah, let's get foreign-born players... as long as we win" and that's fine, but Mexicans, like me, would like to have pure Mexicans in the squad and we will continue to fight to keep it so. I agree, Kam, there is no shame on it, but there are way better Mexican players than Gaitan. I think Lavolpe has to give his fellow countrymen who come to Mexico a hand because otherwise he will be criticized by his country as well. Now, david_rocket, in regards to Blanco, check out the 3rd paragraph on the story. Yes, he might be a cancer, he is passionate about his skills, but he doesn't do nearly as much as what Ron Artest does... I don't think that's a fair comparison. He doesn't criticize his teammates as TO does. He might be a cancer, but that's only for the media. I want Blanco on there, too. Just look at what he has done while he is with the team, score and give out perfect assists to scorers.
In Europe there is a lot naturalizing sportingpeople. Our best marathon runners are not born in holland, same goes for shuttletennis(or how you call it). The best belgian speed skater is born in holland.
Yeah, right now there is an issue with Kalou. He is wanting the Dutch passport to go to the World Cup with Holland. I'm not sure where I stand on this. I find it difficult to draw lines, when should someone be allowed to naturalise? I don't really agree if a Brazilian (or whatever) does so knowing he won't make the Brazil squad, but in fact still feels Brazilian. I can imagine someone living in another country for a few years and totally getting a good connection with the place.
You are right, it is different, but not for the reasons you state. At least Tom Dooley and Earnie Stewart had an American father. The players that Mexico are going after have no ties to Mexico other than they play there. They just weren't going to make their own national teams and Lavolpe doesn't believe in his own players.
It seems like more and more countries have this problem or luxury depending on how you look at it. I guess it should be reviewed on a case by case basis because some of these players are have a legitimate case. If you are born and reared in the country you want to play for (despite your parents country of origin), then you should be allowed to play for that country. I think Deco (Brazilian who plays for Portugal) falls under that category (could be wrong though). Those players who just want to switch countries because they can't make their own national team shouldn't be allowed to do so. That ruins the integrity of representing your nation. The one thing I don't get is why coaches can coach any team they want regardless of what country they are from. Why no restrictions similar to what players have?
