“What an honor and privilege to wear the colors of Guatemala!” said Mendez-Laing

On his Instagram account, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, a winger born in England but with Guatemalan origins, shared his feelings and reflections after representing Guatemala in the 2023 Gold Cup. At 31, Mendez-Laing managed to stand out in his international debut with the Guatemalan national team, providing two assists in the four games in which he participated.

The player expressed his gratitude and honor by wearing the colors of Guatemala. In his post, he mentioned: “Where do I start? What an honor and privilege to wear the colors of Guatemala! Blessed and grateful for these opportunities and sharing it with my brothers who made us feel welcome from the day I entered the building.”

Mendez-Laing also stressed that this international debut does not mark the end of the team, but the beginning of a new chapter. He thanked the coaches and everyone involved with the Guatemalan federation for their support in integrating him into the team. In addition, he praised the unconditional support of the Guatemalans throughout the competition, stating: “The chapines who have shown me and the team an incredible amount of support at all times. The best support throughout the competition without a doubt!”.

Despite losing in the quarterfinals at the tournament, Mendez-Laing said that every step taken represents a move in the right direction. With optimism and determination, the player showed his confidence in the future of the Guatemalan team.

“It wasn’t meant to be today, but I’m sure we can all agree that we’re headed in the right direction,” he said.

Good sensations

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s performance in the 2023 Gold Cup has left a positive impression on Guatemalan fans. His contribution to the team with two assists in four games demonstrates his skill and commitment to the national team, although his error on the start that led to the Jamaican goal will also be marked.

With this outstanding debut, Mendez-Laing has made clear his commitment to represent Guatemala in the international arena and open up new opportunities for his soccer career. His participation in the 2023 Gold Cup will surely mark a milestone in his career and it is expected that he will continue to contribute to the growth and development of Guatemalan soccer in the future.

“This is not the end, it’s just the beginning, and I also want to thank the coaches and everyone involved with the federation for all their help in helping me settle in! What a ride we had!” he concluded.