Sports · Football · 3 hrs ago
Hugo Sánchez says he was wrong to reject Mejía Barón’s 1994 World Cup plan
Former Mexico striker Hugo Sánchez says he was wrong to reject a coach’s plan during the 1994 World Cup.
In the round-of-16 match against Bulgaria, Mexico was level at 1-1 when striker Luis García was sent off.
Coach Miguel Mejía Barón wanted Sánchez to play in midfield to help balance the team after the dismissal.
Sánchez said he asked to play as a forward because he lacked experience defending in midfield and feared weakening the team.
Now a coach himself, Sánchez says he understands Mejía Barón’s decision and recognizes he could have accepted the role.
He said he has apologized to Mejía Barón for not going on as instructed.
Sánchez also recalled using a similar position change with Jaime Lozano when he coached Pumas.
Hugo Sánchez says he was wrong to reject Miguel Mejía Barón’s plan for him to play in midfield against Bulgaria at the 1994 World Cup.
Sánchez said he feared his lack of defensive experience would weaken Mexico’s team.
He said he has apologized to Mejía Barón for not accepting the role.
Sánchez made the comments in an interview with communicator Yordi Rosado.
He said that, as a coach, he later asked Jaime Lozano to play out of position and understood Mejía Barón’s decision.
- Who
- Hugo Sánchez and former Mexico coach Miguel Mejía Barón.
- What
- Sánchez acknowledged he was wrong to reject a plan to play in midfield and said he apologized to Mejía Barón.
- When
- The match took place on July 5, 1994. Sánchez discussed it in an interview published October 29, 2026.
- Where
- The 1994 World Cup match against Bulgaria was played at Giants Stadium in New Jersey.
- Why
- Sánchez said he lacked defensive experience and worried he would weaken the team.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mexico and Bulgaria were tied 1-1 in the World Cup round-of-16 match when Luis García was sent off.
Mejía Barón considered bringing on Sánchez to play in midfield, but Sánchez rejected the role.
Sánchez discussed the episode in an interview with Yordi Rosado and said he had apologized to Mejía Barón.
- Match
- Mexico vs. Bulgaria, 1994 World Cup round of 16
- Date
- July 5, 1994
- Venue
- Giants Stadium, New Jersey
- Score when García was sent off
- 1-1
- Interview
- Yordi Rosado
- Sánchez's proposed role
- Midfield
3 sources
What people are saying
I told him: ‘Hey, Miguel, if you put me in, put me in as a forward, because there, of course, I’m an expert and I’ll give it everything.’
I could have agreed and I recognize that. What’s more, I’ve already apologized to Miguel for that situation, because at the time I should have agreed to go onto the field.