Mexico will be without Luis Romo for Tuesday’s friendly against Chile after the FMF confirmed Monday that medical studies found a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of his left leg. Romo leaves the national team camp and returns to Chivas Guadalajara to begin his recovery, becoming the fourth player to withdraw from Rafael Márquez’s squad during this FIFA window.
The FMF announced the decision Monday afternoon through its official channels. A press release from the federation’s sporting directorate, dated October 5 in Los Angeles, California and labeled “Comunicado de prensa 07/2026” (“Press Release 07/2026,” translated from Spanish), reported that a medical examination confirmed the hamstring injury and that Romo will return to his club.
Romo felt discomfort in the back of his left thigh during Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the United States in Glendale, Arizona. He was substituted at halftime and was later spotted on the bench with ice on the affected area. TUDN reporter Mauricio Ymay first reported that the midfielder was unlikely to face Chile. The FMF did not announce an estimated recovery timeline.
The timing could hardly be worse for Chivas. Romo is the club captain and a key figure in Gabriel Milito’s midfield, valued for his ball recovery, distribution and experience in high-stakes matches. He started Saturday’s game against the United States in Márquez’s midfield, and his absence now forces Milito to reorganize the center of the pitch days before one of the biggest matches of Chivas’ regular season.
The Clásico Tapatío against Atlas is Saturday, October 10. With no official recovery timeline from the FMF or the club, Romo’s availability for the derby is in serious doubt. Even a short absence would sting: his work shielding the defense and starting attacks has made him one of Milito’s most trusted players during the Apertura.
Mexico closes its October window against Chile on Tuesday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with Márquez still seeking his first win after two draws and Saturday’s 3-0 defeat. Romo joins Hirving Lozano, Mateo Chávez and Gilberto Mora among the withdrawals, leaving the coach short of options. Chivas, meanwhile, awaits its own medical evaluation before deciding how to reshape the midfield for Saturday.
