ARLINGTON, Texas – The moment that he has longed for since he was a boy came for Efrain Alvarez in the first half of Mexico’s 0-0 draw with Trinidad and Tobago in the opening match of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.
After playing with Mexico in the 2019 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship and the 2019 FIFA Men’s Under-17 World Cup, along with a pair of friendlies earlier this year, Alvarez got to make his Mexico Senior National Team debut in an official match in the Gold Cup, solidifying the international future for the 19-year-old California-born attacking midfielder.
“It is a feeling that I really can’t describe. It’s a dream that I’ve always wanted to come true since I was a boy,” said Alvarez in an exclusive postgame interview with Concacaf.com. “I haven’t spoken to my family yet, but I hope to talk to them soon and we are going to enjoy this together. But also, I am focused on improving my performance to be able to contribute to the team and what they need for the next match.”
Alvarez grew up watching El Tricolor and idolizing the likes of Andres Guardado and Cuauhtemoc Blanco while they played in major tournaments like the Gold Cup.
The fact that he has joined that company is all the more motivating to continue to work hard so more chances come his way.
“I always dreamed of playing for the Mexican National Team in games since I was a boy while watching Guardado and Cuauhtemoc. It’s something that I’ve wanted since I was a boy and now it is coming true. Now I have to keep fighting to be able to stay here,” concluded Alvarez.
