Given his recent run of form in MLS – five goals and five assists in his last five league matches – many expected it to be a formality that Giovani Dos Santos would be called up to the Mexican national team for the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
He was. Dos Santos said "no."
"Effectively, based on this great moment [in MLS] and the goals that he’s been scoring for his club [LA Galaxy], Giovani was invited to this call-up," said Mexican national team head coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who is a former MLS coach. "But Giovani himself declined the invitation."
Osorio refused to get into details as to what reason Dos Santos gave him for declining.
“As with Giovani, we made genuine efforts to speak to the large majority of the players invited and those finally called up," Osorio said. "But I feel that for ethical and moral principles, what was said with Giovani will stay between us two."
"I can't gauge the reasons for which Giovani is not coming," Osorio continued, "and for this reason I won't express any view on it."
Dos Santos was on Sirius XM Radio while Osorio was holding his press conference from Mexican federation headquarters, but the LA Galaxy star refused to address the matter until he issued a series of tweets a few hours later reading:
"To Juan Carlos Osorio and to my brothers on the Mexican national team, I wish you an excellent tournament, much courage and success in this Cup. Give it your all!"
"I hope to be able to be back soon with great enthusiasm to wear the shirt of my beloved nation."
"I sincerely thank the FMF for considering me. I can't participate on this occasion, but my heart will be with you [the team] always"
The 27-year-old Mexican international has not appeared for El Tri since their participation in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
