KOLKATA: Coaches the world over harp on the importance of youth development and grassroots football as key components for a strong senior set-up. Mexico have one of the strongest youth systems, which is evident in their two triumphs at the U-17 World Cup.
As current U-17 national coach Mario Arteaga pointed out, a successful youth development programme does not start in a day. It takes cooperation between the national federation and clubs as well as a dedicated backroom staff.
“First, you have to realise the importance of those unglamorous items — administration and organisation. We have a proper nationwide scouting system, there is proper collaboration between country’s pro clubs and the federation as well holding of national camps at regular intervals.”
‘El Tri’ have participated in 13 of the 17 FIFA U-16/U-17 World Cups held so far, winning the competition in 2005 and 2011. They also finished runners-up once. They have been hugely successful in the continental affair, the CONCACAF U-17 Championship, winning its most recent edition.
“This age group is an important issue for the Mexican FA. The U-17 squad is the beginning of further processes of the senior national team. We have had two world champion teams while we have also finished runners-up in 2013. We were semifinalists last time around. The senior squad have been filling up the rosters with many players that have come up through the youth ranks,” Arteaga added.
The 46-year-old explained that 2011 was a watershed moment for the country as triumph in the U-17 World Cup was followed by a third-place finish in the U-20 World Cup, something they try to replicate every time.
A recent change that has taken place back home is the fact that clubs have been persuaded to play youth games (at both U-17 and U-20 levels) alongside pro fixtures.
“The clubs and federation working together is one of the most important aspects. Grassroots is very important for both the federation as well as clubs. All junior players ultimately want to make it to the senior set-up and both parties try and help them achieve that goal.”
EPL dream
While Mexico have a very strong league structure back home, the popularity of the English Premier League cannot be matched. Alexis Gutiérrez, part of CD Guadalajara, one of the most successful clubs, wants to ultimately play in the EPL.
“So many of our senior stars play abroad. EPL is very popular back home. We keep watching matches and playing there is a dream. Hopefully, I can play to my potential against the English boys,” he said.