Having risen through the youth ranks at Chivas, and inspired by his father, who represented the club, Gael Garcia’s fledgling career is taking off. He was part of the club’s first team in pre-season and is now preparing to captain Mexico at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™.
“I’m grateful to be living through all this,” he told FIFA, just hours after receiving another Mexico call-up for an international tour of Czechia, where the team will play three warm-up matches ahead of the global tournament.
He turned 17 in June while part of the squad led by former Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito. Garcia celebrated with players who had been his idols not long ago. He shared a room with Luis Romo, whom he admires for both his national-team role and Liga MX pathway, and grew close to Erick Gutierrez, who is now helping him adapt to the demands of training at senior level. Both have warned him never to let his age make him feel small on the pitch.
Currently training with the first team, García is learning a huge amount from recent signing Richy Ledezma, while also featuring for Chivas U-21s. When asked what has allowed him to progress so quickly, he answered confidently: “I think it’s been my dedication and the way I’ve worked. I’ve had clear goals from a young age. In terms of my personality, I always want more and deliver in difficult moments.”
That blend of discipline and character also explains why Mexico U-17 coach Carlos Carino selected him as one of the captains, a responsibility that he embraces while remaining humble. Shared leadership remains in place within the squad, however. “I can be demanding with anyone and they can with me, too. That’s one of the strengths of this group. We all push each other forward and nobody is above anyone else.” Before taking to the pitch, his usual message conveys the essence of the game: “Let’s get stuck in, let’s run hard. The main thing is to enjoy ourselves and always play with a smile on our faces.”
Mexico will face Korea Republic, Côte d’Ivoire and Switzerland in Group F in Qatar in November. Garcia avoids sweeping predictions, although he recognises the challenge ahead: “They’re tough opponents. I think they’re all pushing for the same objective. We’re just focusing on working hard and on what we’re trying to achieve. Now we’re heading to Czechia with a great group, so I believe it’ll benefit us greatly.”
After finishing third at the Canteras de America tournament, their most recent warm-up fixture was a double-header away to Brazil. With a victory apiece, Garcia notched Mexico’s winner with the only goal of the game just three days before a 5-0 reversal against the same opponents. “The coach told me to stay close to the holding midfielder and put him under pressure. There was a piece of play where, unfortunately for him, he slipped, I regained possession, went one-on-one with the keeper and finished off the chance.”
Garcia’s versatility is another notable asset, as his role can vary for club and country. He usually plays as a false nine for Chivas, with freedom to drop deep, get on the ball and create, while he has more defensive responsibility with Mexico. “The coach asks me to play as a box-to-box midfielder, to get forward, defend, build from the back and set the team in motion.”
That reflects Mexico’s identity as an energetic team, unafraid of the physical toll of high pressing, with attacking quality as its core strength. “We’ve got great players up front and the coach asks us to press hard, show intensity and never stop running,” explained García. “I enjoy that too and we’ve really taken it on board as a team.”
El Tricolor have won the FIFA U-17 World Cup twice, in 2005 and in 2011 on home soil. While some could feel the pressure of such a legacy, Garcia and his team-mates use it as a source of motivation. “We know it’s a big responsibility, but we’re focused on ourselves,” said the 17-year-old. “We don’t feel any pressure. On the contrary, we live in the present by training and competing.” The atmosphere in the camp reflects that balance too, with joy, music and banter aplenty.
With so much to look forward to, Garcia set out the expectations for his maiden World Cup: “We have to take it match by match, day by day, but the target is to be world champions by the end of it.”
Photos courtesy of Concacaf
