Giovani dos Santos is receiving rave reviews for his from Mexican national team head coach Juan Carlos Osorio ahead of Mexico’s exhibition with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference in San Antonio on Tuesday, the Mexican manager lauded his three MLS players (Giovani dos Santos, Jonathan dos Santos, and Carlos Vela) on their conditioning but saved his most glowing words for the Galaxy’s star attacking midfielder.
"The most important thing is to understand that even those who didn’t come in competing including those who haven’t started the season, as is the case with the guys in MLS, our three players Jonathan, Carlos and Giovani, they look really good,” Osorio told reporters in San Antonio. “Giovani especially, I think you’ll see like I said last week when I was in LA, that he’s been working and he may be in the best shape of his life.”
Wednesday’s friendly marks the beginning of a crucial year for Giovani and Jonathan dos Santos as they seek to earn a place on Mexico’s roster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer. With the World Cup and the Galaxy’s season in mind, Giovani did everything he could this offseason to strengthen his body, which he described last week as the "best of his life."
“I’ve taken advantage of this time to work the best way possible. I’m good physically. I think it’s been the best offseason I’ve had in my career," Dos Santos said. "I’m mentally and physically very strong. As I always say, it’s always an honor to be with the national team, and hopefully, we do things well [Wednesday].
"I think I worked on everything. Physically, some things, muscles in my body I wouldn’t work on during the season. Things that get you ready physically. It’s tough to explain, but I’ve tried to do everything possible to come to my team and the national team as prepared as I possibly can be."
