Alex Zendejas has denied accusations he demanded a spot at the 2022 World Cup in exchange for committing to Mexico.
Zendejas played for the U.S. at the youth international levels before switching to Mexico to play in senior national team friendlies in October 2021 and April 2022.
But as it turned out, the Club América winger had not filed the one-time switch that would have been required to represent Mexico in those two matches, which FIFA eventually ruled had to be forfeited.
After playing two games for Mexico, Zendejas was a candidate to make El Tri’s World Cup roster. But that’s when things got really strange.
Mexico’s coach at the time, Tata Martino, accused Zendejas of “extortion,” saying the winger demanded a spot in Qatar in exchange for filing a one-time switch.
On Monday, after confirming his commitment to the USMNT over Mexico, Zendejas finally had the chance to respond to those charges.
“I don’t think anyone can be in a position for someone to secure something to you, we have to work on that daily and prove to people that we deserve the opportunity,” Zendejas told reporters on a conference call.
“It was a bunch of chaos that happened over there. People saying stuff that wasn’t true, people saying that stuff that was true, but at the end of the day, I just try not to focus on that.”
The 25-year-old also spoke about his decision to select the USMNT over Mexico, saying he’d spoken to his family constantly and that his experience in January camp with the U.S. ultimately solidified his choice.
“I came in January and I felt very at ease, I saw old teammates. … For the long term my goal is to play at a World Cup and for that reason I chose the United States.”
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