Rafael Márquez Explains Why He's Calling Up Chucky Lozano Again for His Debut as Mexico Coach

Some names spark debate the moment they're announced, and Hirving "Chucky" Lozano is one of them. The LA Galaxy forward is back in the Mexican national team fold after months off the radar, and it was Rafael Márquez himself, who makes his debut as Tri head coach this weekend, who had to step up and explain the call.

Lozano hadn't worn the Mexican jersey since the friendly against Uruguay in November 2025 and wasn't even on the roster for this summer's World Cup. His name carried plenty of noise around it: he went through a stretch on the outs with San Diego FC's first team amid off-field tensions that had been building since last year. Last month he signed with Galaxy on loan, and in his first eight matches with the LA club he's contributed a goal and an assist.

Given that background, it made sense someone would ask why he's coming back right now. Márquez didn't dodge the question at the press conference ahead of Saturday's match against Colombia, the first of his tenure on the bench:

The reason I'm bringing in Hirving is that I believe he can still offer us something more. He's a difference maker. We already know the kind of impact he can have.Rafael Márquez

A Start With Few Changes

The new coach takes over following the departure of Javier Aguirre, whose contract ended after the World Cup and who was announced this very week as the new manager of Valencia. Márquez served as his assistant in the buildup to the tournament, so it's no surprise his first call-up keeps a strong core of players with World Cup experience, the same group that fought until falling 3-2 to England in the round of 16.

Márquez himself made it clear: he isn't here to reinvent everything overnight.

The foundation will be somewhat based on what we saw at the World Cup. The style of play will largely reflect that too, given how little time we have to work on things or make changes. That said, we'll gradually bring in certain ideas, trying to improve specific defensive and offensive situations in games. But in the end there won't be major changes.Rafael Márquez

There are new faces, though: Chivas academy products Hugo Camberos and Santiago Sandoval show up in the conversation for the first time. What's missing is the full star-studded attack: neither Raúl Jiménez nor Ballon d'Or nominee Julián Quiñones made this roster, both still recovering from injuries.

Saturday's opponent is no easy task either. Colombia also bowed out of the World Cup in the round of 16, and the recent head-to-head record doesn't favor Mexico, something Márquez didn't hide:

The Colombian national team has been a tough challenge for us lately. We haven't beaten them in the last six matches or so. Obviously it won't be easy.Rafael Márquez

After Colombia, the schedule doesn't let up: Mexico will face Peru on Tuesday, then the United States on October 3, and close out against Chile on October 6. Four matches for Márquez to start leaving his mark, with Lozano back as one of the pieces to watch.