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Rodrigo Huescas, a Mexican right-back for FC Copenhagen, discusses his recovery from an ACL injury suffered a year prior, his experience adapting to life and football in Denmark compared to Mexico, and his ambitions to win championships with Copenhagen while competing for the Mexican national team under new coach Rafa Márquez.
Summary
Cirque de Lis Gomez hosts Rodrigo Huescas on the Vamos podcast, where the FC Copenhagen defender opens up about his journey back from a serious ACL injury sustained in October 2023 during a Champions League match against Karabag. Huescas emphasizes that he feels physically prepared to compete and is focused on enjoying his present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
The conversation explores Huescas' experience living in Copenhagen versus Mexico City. He describes significant cultural adjustments including the drastic climate change—darkness arriving as early as 3 p.m. in autumn—which affects his daily routine and mental health. Despite these challenges, he acknowledges Copenhagen as a beautiful city and a place where he can live well. Huescas compares the fame and recognition he receives at Copenhagen versus his previous club Cruz Azul, noting both are massive clubs with intense pressure to win, though Cruz Azul's reach extends nationwide throughout Mexico.
Huescas credits Cruz Azul's academy system and competitive environment for preparing him to succeed in European football. He reflects on the physical and technical demands of European football, particularly the speed of play, the condition of pitches in wet climates, and the athleticism of opposing players. He observes that succeeding at the elite level requires dedication to sleep, nutrition, and hydration—factors that impact performance immediately, not just long-term.
When discussing Mexican players in Europe, Huescas notes they form a small community of 12-15 players who support each other constantly. He emphasizes that moving to Europe requires leaving one's comfort zone, though he acknowledges it's a personal choice—not all Mexican players have the ambition or desire to pursue European football, and staying in Mexico's lucrative Liga MX is a valid decision.
Regarding the 2022 World Cup, Huescas expresses mixed emotions about Mexico's performance, particularly the impressive matches against England and Ecuador. He believes Mexico has talented young players and that under Rafa Márquez's guidance, the team can achieve significant success. He discusses emerging talent like Gilberto Mora, praising his abilities while cautioning that he needs to remain humble and continue developing.
On the crowded right-back position for Mexico, Huescas mentions competitors like Jorge Sánchez, Israel Reyes, Julián Araujo, and Richie Ledesma. Rather than viewing it as intimidating, he sees it as motivation to work harder and prepare himself for selection. He emphasizes that under Rafa Márquez, no position is guaranteed and professionalism both on and off the pitch is essential.
Final goals for the season include reclaiming his starting position at Copenhagen, winning all three available competitions (Liga, Copa, and Conference League), securing silverware by May-June, and winning the Nations League with Mexico. Huescas frames 2024 as a year of redemption following his injury layoff.
About this episode
<p>Spending a year on the sidelines after a devastating ACL tear in the Champions League changes a footballer forever.</p><p>SUBSCRIBE TO DUEL NATS ON YOUTUBE! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DuelNats?sub_confirmation=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@DuelNats?sub_confirmation=1</a></p><p>FC Copenhagen star and Mexican international Rodrigo Huescas sits down with Herc Gomez to discuss his grueling recovery, the culture shock of moving from Mexico City to Denmark, what it felt like to play against Chelsea in the Champions League, and his World Cup experience as a Mexican fan. </p><p>Rodrigo reflects on the championship standard Cruz Azul instilled, the financial realities of leaving Liga MX, and his burning ambition to conquer one of Europe's top-5 leagues. Plus, discussing El Tri's bright future under new manager Rafa Márquez, young talents like Gilberto Mora, and the fierce competition for the national team's right-back spot alongside Jorge Sánchez and Israel Reyes, </p><p><br /></p><p>Presented by Verizon</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow DUEL NATS!</p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/duelnats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/duelnats</a></p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/DuelNats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/DuelNats</a></p><p>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@duelnats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tiktok.com/@duelnats</a></p><p><br /></p><p>CONTACT: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a></p><p><br /></p><p>00:00 - VAMOS with Rodrigo Huescas.</p><p>00:59 - Road to Recovery.</p><p>05:16 - Copenhagen, Culture Shock & Winter Darkness.</p><p>08:25 - Comparing Cruz Azul with FC Copenhagen.</p><p>11:44 - The European Dream, Speed and Physicality. </p><p>14:43 - Debut at Parken, UCL experience vs. Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen.</p><p>15:29 - Leaving The Comfort Zone.</p><p>18:24 - Rodrigo's relationship with Mexican Colleagues in Europe.</p><p>19:34 - Watching the 2026 World Cup as a Fan.</p><p>21:57 - El Tri under Rafa Márquez.</p><p>23:00 - Gilberto Mora.</p><p>25:39 - Right-Back Competition.</p><p>26:56 - 2026/27 Season Goals</p><p>28:03 - Is Alejandro Zendejas a Player Poch should consider?</p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>
Key Insights
- Huescas argues that recovering from a year-long ACL injury required a mental shift toward focusing on the present moment rather than dwelling on missed opportunities like the World Cup or Champions League matches.
- He claims that Copenhagen's autumn climate—with darkness arriving at 3 p.m.—induces involuntary sleep and requires intentional planning to stay active and engaged during daylight hours.
- Huescas states that Cruz Azul's academy system and competitive culture provided the foundational tools and mental preparation necessary to succeed in European football at the elite level.
- He argues that success in European football is immediately impacted by daily habits like sleep, nutrition, and hydration, not just long-term development, making consistency crucial.
- Huescas claims that the Mexican player community in Europe is small (12-15 players) and characterized by mutual support and willingness to help each other at all hours.
- He contends that moving to European football is fundamentally a personal choice based on individual ambition, and staying in Mexico's Liga MX is equally valid since players earn significantly more money there.
- Huescas argues that Rafa Márquez will not gift playing positions to anyone and that professionalism both on and off the pitch is now a prerequisite for Mexican national team selection.
- He claims that the right-back position for Mexico is highly competitive with multiple quality players, which motivates him to improve rather than discourage him from pursuing selection.
Topics
Transcript
It's Cirque de Lis Gomez, host of the Vamos podcast on the MIB Media Network. If you don't know by now, New Balance is making incredible football boots for all types of players. I wish they were around when I was lacing it up. The Tecla is a boot worn by the incredible Endrick, and it provides comfort and a fit through its hypo-knit collar that provides a tailored feeling and a lockdown fit that doesn't quite require the break in time, and is strategically placed. DeBasse channels and grip details are designed to act on the shoe's fine-tuned sense of touch with a truer feeling strike of the ball. Therearse a ti mismo o al fútbol en la familia…
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