Mexico’s Young Squad Faces Internacional in Unique January Friendly

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — A young Mexican national soccer team is set to face Brazilian club Internacional in an unconventional January friendly on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. The match, part of Mexico’s January camp, will take place in Brazil as part of a unique preparation strategy ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Head coach Javier Aguirre has selected a roster dominated by emerging talent, with only a handful of established players. The camp provides an opportunity for younger players to showcase their skills against top-tier competition. “This is a chance to see what these young players can do,” Aguirre said. “Facing Internacional and River Plate will test them in ways that traditional friendlies might not.”

The Mexican squad includes goalkeepers Raul Rangel (Chivas), Andres Sanchez (San Luis), and Fernando Tapia (Tigres). Defenders such as Jesus Gallardo (Toluca) and Ramon Juarez (America) will anchor the backline, while midfielders like Luis Romo (Cruz Azul) and Erik Lira (Cruz Azul) aim to control the tempo. Up front, forwards Guillermo Martinez (Pumas) and Santiago Muñoz (Santos) will lead the attack.

Internacional, who finished fifth in Brazil’s Serie A last season, view the match as a chance to integrate new signings and build momentum ahead of their upcoming campaign. “Facing Mexico is unusual, but it’s a great test for our players,” said Internacional’s head coach. “We’re treating this as a serious preparation match.”

The match is part of a growing trend among Concacaf nations to schedule January friendlies during the offseason for many South American leagues. While Liga MX remains in session, Mexico’s deeper roster allows for such experimentation. The U.S. men's national team has long utilized January camps, and other Concacaf teams are now following suit.

Fans can watch the match live on [insert broadcaster details here]. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:22 a.m. ET. Analysts predict a competitive game, with Internacional favored to edge out Mexico 2-1.