World Cup | Argentina – Mexico | Rogelio Funes Mori, the Argentinian who dreams of burying the Albiceleste

Argentina could live two nightmares. The first would be losing to Mexico and having to say goodbye to the World Cup after just two matches. The second would be to be eliminated by a goal from a player from his own country. The scenario is still abstract. But the hypothesis exists. Rogelio Funes Mori was born in 1991 in Mendoza, near the Andes, a few thousand kilometers west of Buenos Aires. This Saturday, he should start in the Mexican eleven for what will be the most important match of his life.

It will take another contest, circumstances this time, for Funes Mori to reconnect with his country of origin. Passing through Texas, emissaries from Chelsea then decide to invite him to England to take tests. These were ultimately inconclusive. But leaders of River Plate, present at the same time in London, were amazed by the kid.

Funes Mori has already played with Argentina

The attacker, not yet of age, was then recruited by one of the biggest clubs in his country. He refined his training there, discovered the professional group and the Argentine selections U17 and U20. In 2012, he even honored his first selection with the A during a Superclasico against Brazil during which he entered at the end of the match. Overall his four seasons in his native country are quite complete and honorable. Sufficient, in any case, to convince Benfica to recruit him.

At the time, FIFA regulations still prohibit players who have already played an official match with a selection from changing jerseys. But in 2021, the body relaxed the criteria. From now on, if a player has worn the jersey of his selection before his 21st birthday, for three matches or less and for more than three years, he is free to defend the colors of another country.

That’s good: in Mexico, Tata Martino is looking for a scorer capable of replacing leader Raul Jimenez, who suffered a fractured skull. Funes Mori is naturalized in June 2021, while his brother, Ramiro, played a Copa America alongside Messi. Rogelio, he disputes the Gold Cup with El Tri in stride. In Mexico, the idea was never unanimous, even if the player tried everything to get public opinion in his pocket, in particular by singing the anthem at the top of his lungs.

One Funes Mori with Messi, the other against him

In the country, even today, all those who do not support CF Monterrey believe that Funes Mori does not have the level, that he has not played enough this year because of several injuries, and that other elements, including another naturalized Argentinian – Santiago Gimenez – would have earned his spot in the roster for the Worlds.

Tuesday, against Poland, Tata Martino kept the trump card up his sleeve. Raul Jimenez still too physically fair, the coach of El Tri preferred to establish Henry Martin, who did not do much to settle more permanently in the position. According to information noted by local journalists who have been able to watch the training sessions, Funes Mori is indeed holding the rope to start against Argentina. The black beast.