Porto midfielder Hector Herrera will not be part Mexico’s Gold Cup squad this summer after ruling himself out of contention for the tournament.
The 29-year-old is considered an important part of the Mexican national team, but also missed March’s friendly games and wants a rest this summer while he sorts out his club situation.
“I feel it is necessary to fully recover after the physical and mental wear of the season, in which I’ve played over 50 official matches for my current club; as well as having the opportunity to define my professional future,” Herrera’s statement read.
Mexico coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino had hinted at Herrera’s absence last week in an interview with ESPN, indicating that the midfielder needed a break.
“Herrera is a topic that we’ll have to see about with the doctors because Hector has carried an old problem in his knee, he’s had a draining season. We’ll talk with him to find out his situation and how to resolve it,” Martino said.
Herrera’s contract with Porto runs out in the summer and the former Pachuca player has been linked with Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Roma and Lyon.
Herrera is not the only El Tri star who could be out of the Gold Cup, with Javier Hernandez unlikely to be involved, Hirving Lozano carrying an injury and Carlos Vela‘s availability still unknown.