Piojo Alvarado on making Mexico's World Cup roster: 'It would be a dream come true'

Mexico will kick off the 2022 World Cup on November 22 against Poland. But 11 days before the initial whistle, head coach Gerardo Martino has yet to announce the final 26-player roster headed to Qatar. 

The future of several players hangs in the balance. The attack remains undefined, with the possible inclusion of Santiago Gimenez, Diego Lainez, Roberto ‘Piojo’ Alvarado and Raul Jimenez.

Though the players possess different characteristics and capabilities on the ball, they all have one dream in common: making the coveted list. 

“It would be a dream come true to go to the World Cup, I would accomplish a great goal,"
said Piojo Alvarado exclusively to 90min.

"Behind the dream has been a huge effort made, being away from home, away from family, on trips and everything, so it would be a huge honor to be able to go to the World Cup. It would be an honor to share the field with this great group, and why not be able to make history and leave the name of Mexico high.

“Going to the World Cup would be a dream that I want to fulfill. I want to be able to make history with Mexico, and go on to that long-awaited fifth game that is being talked about. I want Mexicans to feel proud.”

Alvarado kicked off his professional career in 2013 with Celaya, where he managed 10 goals in 62 Ascenso MX appearances before making the jump to the senior league. He featured for Pachuca, Necaxa and Cruz Azul, prior to reaching Chivas de Guadalajara in 2018. 

His club performances propelled him to an international career with the Mexican national team. 

Piojo debuted on August 29, 2018 in a friendly against Uruguay, but has since become an integral part of Tata Martino’s squad. He replaced Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona in the months leading up to the tournament, after the Sevilla player was on the sidelines with a severe injury. 

The Chivas de Guadalajara player worked out well for Martino, given his ability to connect with teammate Alexis Vega on the attack. The dynamic duo hold the starting positions at Chivas, inspiring chemistry on and off the field. 

“For me it would be a dream to be able to play a World Cup with Alexis, to be able to transmit that relationship to people on the pitch. We already know each other a lot, and we convey that on the pitch. We want people to enjoy watching us play,” he said. 

Mexico is set to announce their final roster on November 14.