Armando León Mexico national team call-up, Digi Mart USA News: Rafa Márquez surprised observers by including striker Armando León, who plays in Croatia, in his squad for Mexico’s home-and-away CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal series against Jamaica.
Born in Ensenada, Baja California, León has enjoyed a strong season in the Croatian First League, a competition that receives limited coverage in Mexico. According to Mediotiempo, the Mexican staff’s interest in him was unexpected given how little attention the league attracts at home.
Mediotiempo columnist Paco Arredondo reported in his video column this week that two staff members were central to the process. Spanish assistant coach Vidal Paloma, a UEFA instructor who teaches in European football, has close ties to Federico Bessana, current head coach of NK Osijek in Croatia, which helped the staff gain detailed knowledge of León.
Former Mexican international Andrés Guardado also contacted Jaime Durán, current head coach of Rangers, to learn more about León’s characteristics and performance. According to the report, León scored 43 goals in 56 matches over two seasons with Andorra.
The report indicates the staff is considering León for Mexico’s next FIFA international window. The information is based on a single publisher report that has not been independently verified.
