Arsenal teenager Flores commits international future to Mexico ahead of Canada and England

Arsenal youngster Marcelo Flores has pledged his international allegiance to Mexico, with the 18-year-old midfielder leaving Canada and England disappointed.

A hot prospect at Emirates Stadium – one that made GOAL’s NXGN list for 2022 - was born in Ontario to a Canadian mother with English heritage and a Mexican father.

He linked up with Ipswich Town’s academy system in 2016, before moving to north London three years later, and is now committing to El Tri as he pushes for further senior recognition with club and country.

After being involved in a tug of war between the Mexican and Canadian football federations, Flores said in a lengthy post on social media: “Existing as I do - being from a multicultural environment who identifies with several different countries - I feel it’s normal to question your identity and even sometimes doubt your own origin.

“Canada and England are a part of me, they have made me who I am. I can’t lie, this hasn’t been an easy process.

“I love Mexico. My father instilled this passion from a very young age and I was fortunate to visit Mexico every year during my childhood.

“I have always been part of the Mexican national team system. It is where I feel most comfortable. It is where my sisters and I feel most at home even when ‘home’ is thousands of miles away.”

He added: “I will represent Mexico wholeheartedly for the rest of my professional life.

“The Mexican Federation has supported me in different facets of my soccer development, invested in my progress and has always trusted me with the freedom to do what I thought was best.”

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