Santiago Gimenez to report for Mexico duty despite limited minutes | OneFootball

Santiago Gimenez will join Mexico’s squad for four friendlies despite not yet being ready to play 90 minutes, and he has not sought a dispensation.

Rafael Márquez has included the striker in his first 30-man call-up, with reporting on Monday to prepare for Colombia, Peru, the United States and Chile. According to O Jogo, the decision could cost him status at FC Porto, as André Silva and Samu will remain at Olival to work.

Gimenez suffered an injury at the World Cup while on international duty, which cost him all of pre-season. On arrival, Farioli stressed the need to raise his fitness in training and matches. So far he has logged 60 minutes across three appearances, underlining he is short of peak condition.

The coach felt staying through the break would have acted as a mini pre-season for the forward. As he has not requested to remain with the club, Farioli now hopes Gimenez picks up minutes and trains at a strong tempo with Mexico.

His situation will be reviewed on return. André Silva has been the starter and, not called by Jorge Jesus, will train at Olival. Samu is nearing the end of his recovery and could be back after the break.

Porto will also be without Bednarek and Kiwior, called up by Poland, and Diogo Costa, named in Jorge Jesus’s first Portugal squad. Martim Fernandes and João Afonso head to the under-21s, while Froholdt, Pablo Rosario, Prpic and Inbeom will be absent too. In total, Farioli will be without 10 players during the window.

Source: O Jogo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”