Mexico national team coach Martino calls Herrera's MLS move a "waste"; LAFC's Vela responds

Mexico men's national team coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino was direct when asked about Hector Herrera's move to Major League Soccer with Houston Dynamo FC.

"I particularly, and I have said it, have a very high regard for Héctor as a soccer player," Martino said in an interview with ESPN Mexico on Wednesday. "If he asked me, he didn't ask me but if he had asked me, 'I'm coming to Houston', I would have said no."

Martino, who led Atlanta United to an MLS Cup title in 2018, sat down for a one-on-one interview with analyst and former Mexican national team player Roberto Gómez Junco ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Argentine manager was asked about several players on his preliminary roster, Herrera included, and Martino expressed his disappointment on the decision of one of his team captains to leave Europe for MLS. 

A "waste" for Herrera to be in MLS

"In the case of Herrera, what I believe is that 'I don't have as many minutes at Atlético de Madrid, but I compete in every training session with Koke, with Kondogbia, with high-level players' and the proof that he was ready to play is that the best moment for Atlético de Madrid in the last tournament was when Herrera joined the team to play," Martino said. "So there was a player who was ready for me to bring him, because in fact, when he played for Atlético de Madrid, when the coach believed he had to play, he put him on and I think almost changed the face of the team."

"But I would not have told him exclusively because of the national team," Martino continued, elaborating on why he would advise Herrera to stay in Europe. "I would have told him because he, it was a waste that he didn't continue to compete at a high level. I also understand there is a matter of tiredness, of mental fatigue ... there are a lot of situations, but the truth is that it seems to me a waste that these type of players don't stay playing at a high level, because when he plays it is a luxury to watch him play."

Martino cleared up that he did not attempt to intervene in Herrera's decision to play in MLS and that he was only speaking on what he would have liked to have seen, unaware of Herrera's situation at Atletico Madrid. In the past, Martino has referred to Herrera as the most talented player in the Mexican pool of players.

Carlos Vela understands Martino

LAFC forward Carlos Vela, a former MLS MVP winner, was asked about Martino's comments in his own interview with ESPN Deportes ahead of the 2022 MLS Cup Final. In that sit-down with Herculez Gomez and Mauricio Pedroza for the show "Ahora o Nunca" (Now or Never), made public Friday, the former Mexican national team star said it was a matter of perspective.

"If I put myself in Tata's shoes, I would like everyone to play in Europe," Vela said. "It's reality. We are not going to lie to ourselves, we are not going to deceive people by saying that MLS is the best league in the world. No. Is it good? Of course, it's very good. Is it competitive? Of course it is. But the best football is in Spain, in England and it's the reality. If we could have the 30 or 50, I don't know how many there are for the World Cup, playing in Europe, of course, it would be better."

"Obviously, if I were a coach I would want the same, but that doesn't mean that Héctor Herrera did wrong," added Vela.

"He decided what he thought was best for him, for his career, for his family, and that is very respectable," Vela continued. "What to other people one seems good, another bad, another regular. Would Tata like it more in Europe? Sure, it's different. It depends who you ask, they are going to tell you something different, but the only one that matters is Héctor Herrera and his decision. As in my case, I decided at the time (to come to MLS), and it is my decision, it is my career, it is my life and I decide what I do with it. I didn't tell him, 'Why you do this? You better do the other' it's [his] problem, I'm not interested. If you're happy, good for you. Congratulations."

Herrera continues recovery as World Cup looms

Herrera has received and continues to receive harsh criticism from Mexico supporters about his decision to leave La Liga and Atletico Madrid for MLS — particular for what's been once of its worst teams in recent years, Houston Dynamo FC (when considering win-draw-loss records) instead of challenging himself in a "tougher" situation ahead of Qatar 2022. 

MORE: Hector Herrera hopeful for third FIFA World Cup with Mexico, could return to play after FIFA break

Despite arriving in July, Herrera only saw the field for 682 MLS minutes as a right leg injury limited him to 10 matches in four months. The player reported to the Mexico national team facilities in Mexico City upon the conclusion of the MLS season to continue his recovery process.

The 30-man Mexico squad is currently in Girona, Spain ahead of two friendlies this month before Martino reveals the final 26-man roster bound for Qatar. Herrera is expected to be on the final roster.