Football is full of great stories. Some are sad, others are emotional, but they always leave something for the right reader, as in the case of Marcelo Floreswhich for months has been a trend in Mexico because of his talent for football and his qualities to be – if he wishes – the next big star of the “Tri”.

Born in Georgetown, Canada, the story of this young talent is very special. With a Canadian mother and Mexican father, Marcelo Flores is one of the rare players who can boast of having three nationalities, since – on his mother's side – he also has English ancestry, being a unique “jewel” for all these teams.

Marcelo, however, always had a clear decision about which country he would represent when he grew up. Son of a footballer, like his father Rubén Flores, the Ontarian showed from his childhood that the beautiful game was his ideal profession and, proof of this, at 18 years old, he was already causing a sensation in England for his skills. .

Trained in the Arsenal youth team, Marcelo Flores arrived at the 'Gunnes' youth team when he was just 15 years old and had a handful of dreams to achieve. His great skills with the ball and his sensitivity in handling the ball allowed him to progress quickly in the team, joining the club's under-18 category at just 16 years old.

Far from stagnating, the young Mexican continued to shine in England, to the point of attracting the attention of each of his coaches, thus catapulting himself into Arsenal's under-23 category, at just 18 years old. Today, Marcelo is a key part of the 'Gunners' team, with whom he has recorded incredible numbers, between goals and assists.

His great performance in English football made his name on the lips of all the world, all the way to Mexico, where the media and fans quickly called for his nationalization, although the same thing happened on British and Canadian lands . Marcelo then had to put his age aside, analyze different scenarios and make a decision.

Three selections, one dream

Due to his triple nationality, Marcelo Flores was eligible for both Mexico, Canada and England, he would have the last word. Thanks to his age, the player had the opportunity to play in the youth ranks of more than one team without the pressure of having to choose at that moment which flag he would defend for the rest of his life.

The first call came from the England U-16 team, in 2019, although Marcelo preferred to join the Mexican U-15 team, which participated in the Montague tournament the same year. He scored a few goals with the “Tri”, appreciated by the coach, then he was recalled by Mexico, but for the U-20s.

In November 2021, the name of Marcelo Flores will appear on Mexico's roster for the Revelations Cup of the same year, standing out as the scorer of the U-20 team, which would later win the tournament title thanks to the very good performances du Born in Canada and the rest of his teammates.

Being part of the lower categories, Marcelo still had time to be tempted by certain other teams who wanted to have him in the ranks of the first team. Canada took the first step in this direction and invited him to a camp from which the player would later withdraw to stay at English club Arsena.

Not wanting to give up, the Canadian team knocked on the player's door again, signing him into the provisional 60-man squad that would compete in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Mexico, led by Gerardo Martino, ignored these “threats” and did not seem interested in “securing” the figure of Marcelo Flores.

The passivity of “Tri” surprised the media and their supporters, because they could not believe that the national team would let go of a player as young as Marcelo and with his characteristics. However, time put everything back in its place and the young Canadian talent ended up realizing his dream of wearing the jersey of all Mexicans.

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