Mexico vs. Portugal Is Just Another Match for “Tala” Rangel

Raúl “Tala” Rangel, goalkeeper for Club Deportivo Guadalajara, spoke publicly about Mexico’s upcoming friendly against Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, doing so with calm confidence.

Ahead of the match, which is part of Mexico’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup, Rangel stated that he does not feel any added pressure from facing a global icon like Cristiano Ronaldo. Instead, he emphasized that he approaches every match in the same way, refusing to let the presence of the Portuguese star affect his performance. The goalkeeper explained that he considers himself emotionally balanced and remains focused on his professional responsibilities, beyond any admiration for world-renowned players such as CR7.

The goalkeeping position remains one of the most debated roles within the Mexico national team as the 2026 World Cup approaches, with strong internal competition between Rangel, Luis Ángel Malagón, and other goalkeepers vying for the starting spot. While nothing has been decided yet, Rangel’s comments reflect a professional mindset and strong commitment, making it clear that he prefers to focus on daily improvement and earning his place through consistent work rather than being influenced by outside expectations or star power.