Andres Guardado retires from Mexico national team

Mexican national team captain Andres Guardado announced he will be retiring from international duty. 

Though the all-time caps leader teased a possible departure before the 2022 World Cup, labeling the tournament as his "last opportunity to achieve something for the national team," he confirmed the exit on May 16. 

"I had already said it a long time ago, but I haven't stopped to give thanks for everything I've experienced in these 16 years with my national team! Impossible to express in words how grateful and privileged I feel!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who accompanied me," said the midfielder.

"[Thanks] of course to all the faithful fans who have accompanied me throughout all these years now that I'm one more of you!"

Guardado first debuted for El Tri in 2005, before going on to record 28 goals in 181 appearances. The midfielder inspired several successful runs for the Mexican national team, lifting the CONCACAF Gold Cup trophy in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

He also featured in five World Cups, standing among just three other Mexican players to accomplish the feat. Guardado's last international game was the 2-0 group stage loss against Argentina in the World Cup, boasting the captain’s armband for the final time.

His departure marks a new age for El Tri, as head coach Diego Cocca ushers a much-needed generational shift.