Marcelo Flores performed well for the Mexico u20s despite defeat this week, and he may well have been in the u21s if not for travel difficulties.

When the Mexican National Team website confirmed their u20 call-ups this week, Arsenal’s Marcelo Flores was on the squad list to face Spain for a couple of friendlies.

This shouldn’t have been a surprise given his talent and strong recent form with the Gunners’ u18 side. But given the competition for his international future from Canada in particular, it’s never completely clear which country he might end up representing in each individual break.

On this occasion, Flores was reportedly even under consideration for the Mexico u21s. They ended up deciding against that call-up on the basis that it would mean travelling to the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Mexico, creating potential quarantine difficulties returning to England.

Instead, Flores played for the u20s, and despite a heavy 5-1 defeat to Spain, the Arsenal youngster received praise for his individual debut performance at this level. Soy Fútbol named Flores as their best player of the match for Mexico.

Mexico will have a chance to get revenge on Spain in the second of their two friendlies on Sunday, September 5th.