Mexico's coach, Jaime Lozano, cast doubt on the continuity of captain Edson Álvarez for the remainder of the Copa América in the United States this Tuesday. A "significant" loss that, if confirmed, will represent a "hard blow" for El Tri.

Ahead of the match against Venezuela for Group B, the coach informed in a press conference that the West Ham midfielder will undergo a series of tests in Los Angeles to determine the exact extent of the injury.

"I believe he was just leaving the hotel to get the tests done. It's a significant loss if confirmed. It was his first tournament as captain of this team, and it would be a strong blow," he lamented.

(VIDEO) Euro 2024 Highlights: France vs Poland

Álvarez, 26, had to be taken off on a stretcher in the 30th minute of the match against Jamaica (1-0), in tears, after feeling a sharp pain in the back of his left thigh, during his country's debut in the continental tournament.

The injury area was swollen in the following days, and this Tuesday he will finally be able to get tested, so a definitive diagnosis is expected in the next few hours.

"It's a hard blow to lose the captain in such an important tournament," the coach stated, anticipating the worst-case scenario.

Regardless of the diagnosis, Álvarez has expressed his desire to stay with the team as long as the Mexican national team remains in this Copa América, although Lozano also left that possibility up in the air.

"I don't know if the decision will be ours or his. His club will have a lot of influence, so it will be decided among the three parties. Of course, he wants to support and fulfill that," he affirmed.

Facing adversity, Lozano called for "fighting" for the quarterfinals qualification against Vinotinto: "We have to be ready for whatever comes and not look for excuses."

The captain's armband against the Caribbean team will be worn by central defender César Montes, whom Lozano sees as ready to take on that role.