Andrés Guardado Retires from International Football

The Mexican national football team bid farewell to one of its most legendary players, Andrés Guardado, after his final appearance in an international match against the United States. The 38-year-old midfielder played his 182nd game for Mexico, marking the end of an illustrious international career that saw him participate in five World Cups.

The farewell match took place in Guadalajara, where the Mexican team achieved a 2-0 victory over the United States, who are one of the co-hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Guardado made his exit in the 19th minute to a standing ovation from fans, celebrating his contributions in the same city where he began his professional career at Atlas.

Having joined the Mexican national team in 2005, Guardado became Mexico’s most capped player. He played three seasons with PSV Eindhoven starting from 2014 and is remembered as a significant figure in the club’s history. Mart van den Heuvel commented on Guardado’s retirement, describing him as “a leader for the team,” and highlighted his dedication on and off the field.

The last game against the United States saw Mexico snap their rivals’ seven-game unbeaten streak against them, with goals from Raúl Jiménez and César Huerta. The U.S. team, featuring PSV player Malik Tillman, fell short despite having recently defeated Panama 2-0 under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took charge with a commendable start.

While Guardado’s international career concludes, he continues his club career with Club León FC, where he remains an active player. However, the team currently faces challenges in the lower segments of the Mexican league standings. Guardado’s future plans include a potential role as an assistant coach for the Mexican national team, though it is uncertain how he will balance these responsibilities with playing.