Honduras deserves respect; we're going for the final: Javier Aguirre

In the run-up to the 2025 Gold Cup semi-final match between Mexico and Honduras, El Tricolor coach Javier “Vasco” Aguirre spoke with clarity, experience, and firmness about his team's current form and the match that will be played this Wednesday night at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The Mexican coach made it clear that, despite the favorable record against Honduras , the match will be extremely challenging . "Honduras is here on its own merits; they are a highly respected and highly serious opponent. We have a very clear objective: to reach the final and win it," he expressed.

Aguirre also recalled with admiration how Honduran coach Reinaldo Rueda managed to rally his team after a tough defeat in their Gold Cup debut against Canada. “I congratulated him. You learn from defeats. It's not easy to get beaten like that and then bounce back so quickly,” said the Basque coach.

Asked whether he'll ask his players to be careful of expulsion, considering the World Cup is just around the corner, Aguirre was blunt: " None of them are guaranteed to make it to the World Cup. It's possible none of them will make it . We're not focused on that. From minute one, I've told them they must represent the people with pride."

The "Vasco" also reflected on the development of Mexican footballers since he debuted as coach of the Tricolor : "It's been a tremendous growth. Before, we trained differently, without as many resources. Today they have mental coaching, technology, and a winning mentality. Now, players face each other with the same dedication regardless of whether they're in Central America or Europe," commented the "Vasco."