National Soccer
More than 60 players have passed through the Guatemala team during the era of Luis Fernando Tena under the command of the Bicolor. Know the trusted men of the Mexican coach.
Óscar Castellanos, José Pinto and Óscar Santis, some of Luis Fernando Tena’s trusted men in Guatemala. (Free Press Photo: AFP)
After defeating the Honduras selection in an international friendly, Guatemala is prompt to start its official competition calendar on Friday, March 21, when they face To Guyana in the first leg of the preliminary round of the Concacaf Gold Cup.
This match against Guyana will be the number 44 of Luis Fernando Tena, which in this 2025 will turn four years that took the reins of the bicolor.
The Mexican coach joined the national project in December 2021, shortly after Guatemala suffered a painful participation in the Gold Cup and was left without options to go to the World Cup in Qatar 2022.
After a few months of negotiations, the National Football Federation of Guatemala announced at the end of 2021 that Luis Fernando Tena would assume The challenge of classifying the 2026 World Cup and overcoming the challenges along the way.
Who are the trusted players of Luis Fernando Tena
The first game of Tena with Guatemala was on March 24, 2022 against the selection of Cuba. Since then, the Mexican has directed a total of 43 duels with balance of 17 wins, 11 draws and 15 losses.
In these 43 duels Luis Fernando Tena has sat a base of soccer players who have deposited his trust and have become a fundamental part of his project.
Many names have gone through the coach of the coach and just over 60 have seen some minute within the court with the Mexican as a coach, but only some have made a hole without comparison in their project.
Based on the number of parties in which they have seen action during the era, These are the coach’s trusted players:
- Óscar Castellanos: The midfielder of Old GFC has been present in 42 of the 43 matches of the project of Luis Fernando Tena, only one friendly match against El Salvador was lost in July in July 2024.
- José Pinto: The central defense of communications in the leader of the rear of Guatemala and also the captain of the Bicolor. In the Tena era it has a total of 38 of 43 games played.
- Alejandro Galindo: The Municipal man brings experience and trade. It has been in 38 of 43 games.
- José Ardón: The Captain of Antigua GFC is another of the most called by the Mexican coach. On their backs are 33 games.
- José Morales: The “horse” is the one who usually accompanies the defense of Guatemala, either by the right side or the left. Add 32 games.
- Carlos Mejía: Before suffering a serious injury that still keeps him away from the field and without team, the “Cuilapa” was one of the regular in the selection. Add 32 games.
- Óscar Santis: The ancient striker is the attacker in which he has placed more confidence. He has 30 games under his technical direction.
- Rodrigo Saravia: The midfielder with cream past and now in Municipal adds 29 duels.
- Nicholas Hagen: Columbus Crew goalkeeper has been the most used by Tena, in total he has 28 appearances in his era.
- Rubio Rub´ín: currently without a team, but that has not prevented it from being another regular for the Mexican. From your debut add 28 games.
