Uriel Antuna, still hurting after his third final loss: "I can change the future, but not what's already happened"

Some losses fade quickly, and others linger for weeks. The lost final of the Clausura 2026 looks like it belongs in the second category for Uriel Antuna, who held nothing back at a press conference when asked how he had dealt with the blow.

The Pumas winger didn't mince words: it hurt, and it hurt badly. It wasn't the first time he'd walked away from a final empty handed, and that carries a different kind of weight.

You can't erase it. It counts from what happens today onward. It hurt with all my soul because it's my third final, the third one lost, and this one with Cruz Azul, but I try to focus on the present. I can change the future, but not what's already happenedUriel Antuna

Beyond the personal pain, Antuna wanted to send a direct message to the fans, the ones who have put up with jokes from rival supporters over the team's rough patch this campaign. His request was simple: patience.

I've always been known for being available, for giving my all wherever I am, because a career is short and I try to enjoy it to the fullest, supporting my teammates. To the fans I want to say to have patience, and I'm going to leave everything out there out of gratitude, so please be patient because soon we're going to shake off that thorn that's been digging into a lot of usUriel Antuna

The player also spoke about his role on the field, admitting that he doesn't always play in his natural position, but that doesn't change how much he gives. "Maybe I'm not used to the position, that flank isn't my strongest suit, but I always show up ready to support my teammates, and I'm going to throw myself headfirst into it for the club and for the opportunity they gave me," he explained, making clear that his commitment isn't in question despite the results.

A team still under construction, according to the players themselves

Antuna didn't dodge self criticism. He admitted the results haven't been there and that Pumas isn't where he'd like the team to be, though he insisted the locker room remains united and trusts the process. "We're aware it's been a bit tough for us, but this is a team that's growing, we've added teammates, and the group is calm, united, and trusts the coach," he said.

Defender Rodrigo López echoed that sentiment, asking that the team not be compared to other squads and instead bet on its own path. "The results haven't been what we want, but as a team we trust what the coaching staff gives us day to day and what we have to offer. Sooner or later the results are going to come," the defender said, making clear the goal remains to fight for the title.

Antuna also brought up a factor that isn't always obvious from the outside: injuries and the shift in physical management following Efraín Juárez's departure and Esteban Solari's arrival on the bench. He explained that the body responds differently when training exercises change, and that has led to absences that complicate planning. "We don't have control over the injuries, but it's not just eleven players, it's twenty two, and they all need to be ready," he noted, making clear that the challenge now is having the entire squad prepared for whenever the coach decides who takes the field.