The Argentine Gerardo “Tata” Martino, Mexico coach, overcame an operation due to retinal detachment that will prevent him from accompanying the ‘Tri’ to visits to Costa Rica and Panama in the World Cup qualifiers.
“According to the treating physician, it was important to perform the operation urgently to avoid the risk of (Martino) losing fine vision,” explained the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) in a press release.
The former Barcelona coach will have to spend 21 days recovering. His assistant Jorge Theiler will replace him on the bench in Mexico’s next two games in the Concacaf qualifiers heading to Qatar 2022.
The FMF reported that Martino will not travel to Costa Rica and Panama due to the risk of losing his sight or suffering serious damage, so it was determined that the Argentine would remain in Mexico.
Tata’s operation came a day after the Mexicans made their qualifying debut with a 2-1 win over Jamaica at the Azteca Stadium, a match in which Martino was present.
The result against the Caribbeans left Mexico in first place in the Concacaf qualifiers with three points. In the following hours, those led by the Argentine will leave for Costa Rica to face the Central Americans on Sunday.
The FMF hopes to have Raúl Jiménez for the duel with the Costa Ricans, who was not loaned by English Wolverhampton against Jamaica because England has Mexico among the countries at risk from the covid-19 pandemic.
«It is vital for us to have Raúl. After the fracture in the skull he has not been here for a long time. We were in contact with him, he wants to be at the start of the qualifying rounds and now the FMF continues with the steps that must be followed. I do not have a position on the possibilities that Raúl will be in the following games, “said Martino.
After visiting Costa Rica, Mexico will face Panama on Wednesday, a match with which they will conclude their commitments on the September FIFA Date. EFE (HN)