During an interview with Excelsior of Mexico, Mexican National Team manager Juan Carlos Osorio was asked a number of questions. The one part of the interview that will grab the headlines in the USA will be his opinion about Giovani Dos Santos joining MLS side LA Galaxy and the rumors of Carlos Vela also landing in the league of the States and Stripes.
On Vela
Osorio was quoted (translated to English), as saying "I expressed it to Carlos Vela himself last year when I was in Europe, and I think that the goal of every player in the world is to go to Europe. At least that’s the principle goal, because they have the best leagues, the best tournaments and they’re games are seen all over the world. Now every situation has its own internal factors which involves more investigating and I don’t know those of Giovani (Dos Santos) which is why I don’t dare to give my opinion in that respect. I do consider that the goal of the Mexican players and every youth player who’s thriving is to play in Europe and stay there for a long time."
On MLS
When asked if it’s a bad move to play in MLS, Osorio said, "I think that at some point they could go to the USA because it can be a goal in the future, but I think that in a player’s peak you will get the best out of yourself by playing in Europe and not in the MLS. I think for right now that league (MLS) is for the final chapter of someone’s career and not for a player who still has a lot to give."
The Colombian has spent time in MLS, where he managed the New York Red Bulls a number of years ago. Additionally, the reality is that these aren’t the hardest hitting comments someone could make. In the short time Osorio has been Mexican coach, he comes off as an intelligent individual who processes everything he says. These comments aren’t any different.
Dos Santos and Vela both are near their peak playing age and Osorio is saying that he thinks any player would be better suited in that time playing their trade in Europe. He seems to want them to carry on much like how Javier Hernandez and Andres Guardado battled through tough times in Europe before now thriving.
While these comments might frustrate some in the United States, MLS hasn’t done anything to change that view around the world as they keep shelling out money to bring in older stars like freshly signed LA Galaxy player Ashley Cole. Also, this isn’t that far off of the comments that have been made time and time again by USA National Team coach Jürgen Klinsmann.
It’s now out there for the Mexican player about how their current national team coach thinks about players going to MLS, and as he stated himself, each situation is different. Meanwhile, Giovani Dos Santos knows he has more to prove to El Tri’s new boss.