CARSON, Calif. – Giovani dos Santos spoke to reporters for the first time since reports emerged that the forward had declined a call-up to the Mexican national team roster for the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
Mexico national team head coach Juan Carlos Osorio told reporters after the announcement of the squad that dos Santos had declined a call-up for this summer’s tournament. Ahead of the Galaxy’s clash with the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday, dos Santos addressed his omission.
“The only thing that I can say is that I’m very concentrated on my team. I’m working really hard, and I’m looking forward to the game on Sunday. I feel great right now,” Dos Santos said. “We’re going to lose Gyasi [Zardes] and Robbie [Keane] who are important players on the team, but we have great players, and although we’re going to be without them for three games, we’ll do the best that we can.
“I know that this is a very important game [on Sunday]. It’s a Clásico. We play at home, and we have to get three points. Everyone in the team is in a good shape and hopefully we can get three points.”
Although dos Santos did not speak specifically about the roster, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena eluded to some disappointment that forward will not be on the Copa America roster.
“I don’t think that everyone knows the entire story,” Arena told reporters. “We’re obviously happy to have him here, but we’d be pleased to have him be with Mexico as well.”
