Mexico is still holding out some hope that Jesús “Tecatito” Corona can make an improbable return from injury in time for the World Cup.
But on Thursday, Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli came in with a dose of reality.
Tecatito suffered a broken fibula and a rupture of his ankle ligaments in August, which at the time looked to have ruled him out for the World Cup.
But Mexico still named the Sevilla winger to its 31-man World Cup roster this week, as head Tata Martino continues to give a crucial piece of his attack every opportunity to recover.
Sampaoli, though, doesn’t think Tecatito has any chance of being fit for Qatar.
“Tecatito is progressing day by day, his discharge date to return to training with the group is December 1 or 2,” Sampaoli said.
“So I do not see him having that possibility [of playing at the World Cup] due to the medical report.
“His evolution is good, but he had a very serious injury, and bringing [his return] forward might be a risk. Here, the ones who determine whether he can be there or not are the medical staff.”
Tecatito has 71 caps and 10 goals for Mexico, and looked likely to start for El Tri at the World Cup if he were fit.
Mexico will begin World Cup play on November 22 against Poland before facing Argentina and Saudi Arabia in Group C.
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