DENVER, Colorado – Since 1993 Zague has stood as Mexico’s top scorer in the Concacaf Gold Cup with 12 goals, but now he has company in the form of Andres Guardado. The Mexico MF scored a brace in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Canada, giving Guardado 12 goals in 20 Gold Cup matches to equal Zague’s mark.
“It’s very special to equal Zague’s record,” said Guardado in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com after his history-making night.
“It’s always nice to see your name in the history of your national team. Looking back, I never would have imagined that I would achieve what I am achieving at the national team level and in my career, and I am really enjoying it. I know that I still have a few more years left in the national team and what I am experiencing, I want to squeeze out every last bit,” added Guardado.
Oddly enough, Guardado’s two-goal performance came as a substitute after he replaced the injured Erick Gutierrez in the first half. Ever the leader, Guardado was happy to help his team, but added that it is never desirable to replace an injured teammate.
“The truth is that I am very happy about the two goals and above all for winning. It was really important for us to win to reach the next round. I don’t like to enter to play in place of an injured teammate, but these are things that happen in football. I had to play in the game sadly because of the injury to Guti, and I just tried to help the team. It went well so I’m very happy,” said Guardado.
Scoring big goals in the Gold Cup is nothing new for Guardado, who has a knack for finding the back of the net at crucial moments in the tournament for El Tricolor.
“I always try to give my best in all of the tournaments, but I do have something when it comes to this tournament. It goes well for me. I score a lot of goals. I really don’t know how to explain it, but in the end the objective is to win this Gold Cup,” said Guardado.
One other milestone that was reached by Guardado was that it was his 90th win in a Mexico shirt, tying him with Landon Donovan for most wins by a Concacaf player for their respective national team.
Guardado could only smile and shake his head in disbelief when thinking about the accomplishment.
“That stat for me is incredible, more than being the leading scorer [in a Gold Cup]. Ninety matches won with the national team is not easy. It’s a lot of years. It’s a lot of games and just like I said, I’m enjoying this moment. I don’t have words to describe what I’m feeling. I feel proud and I hope these 90 wins become many more as long as my legs and the coach give me more years to be here,” concluded Guardado.
