Mexico captain Edson Álvarez has spoken candidly about the pain of his nation's World Cup elimination, describing the exit as something that "hurts deeply" — while insisting he remains optimistic about what lies ahead for the team.

Álvarez, who leads El Tri both on and off the pitch, acknowledged the emotional toll the early exit has taken on the squad, emphasising the strong bond within the group. "It hurts deeply because this is a family," he said, underlining the sense of unity that defines the current generation of Mexican players.

Despite the disappointment, the captain struck a measured tone when looking toward the future, signalling that Mexico's ambitions remain firmly intact ahead of what promises to be an important cycle for the national side.