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Chivas Are Ready to Be Champions – Raúl Rangel
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- Chivas Are Ready to Be Champions – Raúl Rangel
Chivas Are Ready to Be Champions – Raúl Rangel
Guadalajara is entering the final stretch of the Apertura 2026 with its sights set on staying near the top of the standings and heading into the Liguilla in a strong position.
During a press conference at Verde Valle ahead of Saturday's match against Atlante, Raúl "Tala" Rangelspoke about the strong form of the Rebaño Sagrado , the lessons he has learned throughout his career, the competition for the starting goalkeeper position with the Selección Mexicana, and the ambitions of the Rojiblanco squad, which he believes is capable of fighting for the championship.
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Raúl Rangel's Best Quotes
On Chivas' aspirations for the Apertura 2026:
Chivas is definitely ready to be champions. I've said it in several tournaments, and to me, this is the biggest team in Mexico. We have to return to that greatness and conduct ourselves accordingly. Chivas always has to be competing for important things, and the club gives us so much. We have to give back on the field with titles, victories, and by staying near the top of the standings.
On the team's performance and Gabriel Milito's work:
More than anything, it's what happened when Coach Gabi first arrived: the team had a certain style of play, but we couldn't find the victories. We have to maintain that identity, keep working on what we do and make the most of the quality this team has, which I believe is considerable and will allow us to compete near the top of the standings.
On the demands of the final stretch of the tournament:
Right now, any team has a chance to qualify, and we know that from this point on, every match is like a Liguilla game. We have to approach them with the utmost seriousness.We've learned how to suffer because sometimes that's what you have to go through in the Liguilla to advance. These are do-or-die matches, and you can't give anything away. We've understood that in these last few games, knowing there is no tomorrow. I have to take it one match at a time, and something we still need to achieve is continuing to fight for a place near the top of the standings. That's what gives us the home-field advantage of playing here at home.
On reaching 100 appearances in Liga MX:
It's a dream come true. I said it in another interview: I hope these 100 appearances end up being nothing compared to what lies ahead in my career, but I'm very happy and focused on achieving great things for the club, winning titles, and returning to the path of greatness that has been taking shape.
On his performance during the latest Selección Mexicana call-up and his current form:
Personally, I feel good and stable. I had already mentioned that I believe if you don't do anything, you don't make mistakes, and we know that's how life works. I didn't feel like the worst before, and I don't feel like the best today. You have to take it one match at a time; the good and the bad are behind us, and we have to focus on what's coming next, which is Atlante.I'm fortunate that in this profession, week after week, you have the opportunity to redeem yourself. Neither when I made the mistake did I feel like the worst, nor do I feel like the best now. My work will speak for itself, along with how well I take care of myself, the closeness I have with my teammates, and the support of the entire team.
On the advice he has received from Mexican soccer greats:
The people I can tell you about are Rafa Márquez, Andrés Guardado, and Jorge Campos himself. They made it crystal clear to me: the best players in the world make mistakes, but you must never lose the quality that defines you. Those words help you get back on track as quickly as possible.
On the competition for the starting goalkeeper position with the Selección Mexicana
I'm happy about Luis Ángel Malagón's return. I hope he continues to maintain the level he had been showing. I believe there is no guaranteed starting position with the National Team; whoever is in the best form will play. What I can tell you is that, training session after training session, I'm fortunate to compete for the chance to be the one who plays. But we know there is a lot of quality among goalkeepers on the National Team and throughout Mexico. I have to keep working, and in the end, the coach, Rafa, will make the decision.
On the confidence Rafael Márquez gives him
Rafa knows all of us and tries to put the team together and develop the tactical approach based on the players who will be on the field. When it's my turn, he asks me to do what I know how to do, which is obviously to play, and he gives you that confidence because he knows your abilities, knows you can deliver great performances, and allows you to be yourself.
On the advice he has received from Guillermo Ochoa
Memo is a great guy. He has been an outstanding goalkeeper and a role model for Mexican soccer. I tried to approach him; I observe everything, how he carries himself, how he made saves, the composure he had, and how he responded in important moments. When I started the World Cup, I asked him, "What do you do in these moments?" and he told me to go back to the basics. Those are pieces of advice that helped me tremendously at the time, along with the resilience he showed during important moments.
On his leadership and supporting young players from the Cantera Rojiblanca
I'm in a process of learning how to approach them, how to talk to them, and how to guide and support them. I can't tell you that I'm already doing it 100 percent, but obviously, as academy graduates ourselves, we have to support that. We always learn from one another: I learn from the younger players, and the younger players learn from those who are older. We have to be open to corrections and internal criticism.In the past, I had that fear. I held back a little when it came to demanding more from a teammate because I thought we might end up fighting, but today I understand that it's like a family: after the anger comes acceptance of mistakes. When you need to demand more, you have to do it, and when you need to take the criticism, you have to do that too.
