Mexico Announces Roster for European Friendlies

The return of "Chicharito" to Mexico's national team roster was the highlight of manager Jose Manuel de la Torre's selections for the upcoming pair of friendlies in Europe. The 23 players announced on Wednesday will face Poland in Warsaw on Friday September 2nd, followed two days later by a match against Chile in Barcelona.

El Tri fans welcomed the return of Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez to the national team, after the star striker missed the recent friendly against the United States because of concussion-related issues. Also making a return at the top of the lineup was Aldo de Nigis. The Monterrey striker just this week made his long awaited return to the field -- playing very briefly against Chivas on Saturday, and going the full 90 minutes against the Seattle Sounders in Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League loss. Santos Laguna striker Oribe Peralta gets a return call after scoring Mexico's only goal against the U.S. two weeks ago.

Getting his first ever national team call-up was Jesus Molina. The young midfielder has started and gone the full 90 minutes in all six matches for Club America this season. Morelia left back Adrian Aldrete was also rewarded with a roster spot for the solid work he's put in this year in the domestic league. One continued absence of note was Carlos Vela, who again failed to get a call-up even with the two friendlies being played in Europe.

See the full 23-man Mexico national team roster after the break below:

Goalkeepers
Guillermo Ochoa - Ajaccio
Alfredo Talavera - Toluca

Defenders
Efrain Juarez - Real Zaragoza
Sergio "Cherokee" Perez - Monterrey
Rafael Marquez - New York Red Bulls
Francisco "Maza" Rodriguez - VfB Stuttgart
Hector Moreno - RCD Espanyol
Edgar Duenas - Toluca
Carlos Salcido - UANL Tigres
Adrian Aldrete - Monarcas Morelia

Midfielders
Gerardo Torrado - Cruz Azul
Israel Castro - Cruz Azul
Jesus Molina - Club America
Jesus Zavala - Monterrey
Pablo Barrera - West Ham United
Christian "Hobbit" Bermudez - Atlante
Andres Guardado - Deportivo La Coruna
Efrain Velarde - Pumas UNAM
Antonio "Sinha" Naelson - Toluca

Forwards
Giovani dos Santos - Tottenham
Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez - Manchester United
Aldo de Nigris - Monterrey
Oribe Peralta - Santos Laguna