The father of Arsenal youngster Marcelo Flores is putting pressure on his son to decide his international future between Mexico and Canada.
That’s according to SDP Noticias, who say it is the player’s father who ‘put the most pressure on him’ and not the media or fans.
They explain that Flores is yet to decide between Mexico and Canada, both of whom he is eligible for.
The 18-year-old has told those closest to him that he wants to make the decision ‘calmly’, but his father, Rúben Flores, is ‘not entirely happy’ with that choice.
The former Club Atlante player wants his son to choose Mexico, and ‘almost every day’ he brings up the subject, much to the chagrin of the Arsenal youngster.
His father is reportedly keen for the matter to be settled so that the ‘speculation’ surrounding the Arsenal man, who ‘does feel pressured’ to make a decision, can come to an end.
The issue is Flores can also play for England because of his mother, who was born in Canada but is of English descent, so that ‘opens up the possibilities’ as well.
In fact, he’s already played for England in the various youth levels, while Canada have insisted they are the best option for him.
They believe him growing up in that environment and speaking English, which has helped with life at Arsenal, means he would adapt quickly to life with them as opposed to Mexico.
One key point will be which side are willing to give him the most minutes, particularly with a World Cup around the corner, and for Jimmy Lozano, that might not be the case with Mexico.
“I’ve had the chance to watch him in some friendly matches when he was already out of the national team, and he’s different. He is different,” Fox Sports report him saying.
“He is a player with very high quality, and he is a player with a lot of capacity, and above all, he stands out in his division (U-23). You have to take him little by little; you have to give him minutes every chance you get.”
“I don’t know if he (Mexico coach Tata Martino) would take him (to the Qatar 2022 World Cup).
“What is clear to me is that in a national team, you are never going to get along with everyone because, obviously, everyone wants to take the players from their team.
“I think he should decide with his heart which country he wants to represent and which country he feels most identified with.”
