Former USMNT legend Marcelo Balboa has issued a strong warning to Mexico ahead of their crucial CONCACAF Nations League semifinal clash against Canada on Thursday. Balboa, who also played for Club León in Mexico, emphasized that Canada currently stands as "the team in the region that is in the best form right now."
"The key is that the Mexican National Team can play a great match, but Canada has a strong squad and individuals who can change the outcome in an instant," Balboa told Mexican newspaper El Universal, urging El Tri not to underestimate their opponents.
The stakes are high as Mexico and Canada battle for a spot in the Nations League Final. Despite Mexico historically dominating the head-to-head matchup with 21 victories compared to Canada's 5 wins and 10 draws, recent form tells a different story. El Tri currently finds themselves on a three-match winless streak against the Canadians, highlighting the growing competitiveness of their northern neighbors.
Mexico conducted their final training session on Wednesday at the Sports Dignity Health Stadium with a complete squad after goalkeeper Carlos Moreno arrived late due to visa issues. Mexico qualified for the semifinals after defeating Honduras, while Canada earned their spot by overcoming Suriname.
Balboa, drawing from his experience as both a USMNT star and a player in Mexican football, described the upcoming match as "the early final" of the tournament. "It will be the early final of the Nations League, the best semifinal, but neither team can be overconfident—anything can happen on the field," he cautioned.
Under Javier Aguirre's guidance, Mexico has compiled an impressive record of 38 victories, 10 draws, and 13 losses across 61 matches, boasting a 61 percent win rate and securing 66.6 percent of possible points. However, Balboa's warning suggests that statistics and history may count for little against this increasingly formidable Canadian side.
As both teams prepare for Thursday's showdown, fans can expect an intense battle between traditional CONCACAF powerhouse Mexico and an ascending Canadian team looking to continue their recent success against El Tri.
