Erik Lira, midfielder of Cruz Azul, revealed that the arrival of Martín Anselmi posed the possibility of leaving the club, as the new coach indicated that his position did not fit into the system he intended to implement. Despite the door being open to find another team, Lira chose to stay and compete for a place.
During his participation in the podcast Azul de Por Vida, the captain of La Máquina confessed that he was not satisfied with his performance since his arrival at the club. He added: "I am not comfortable with my performance at Cruz Azul, because it has not been good, or not the best. I said: ‘No, I’m staying here, I will fight’".
This decision changed his story with the cemented team. Lira set out to improve his preparation and, when the opportunity arose within the team, he responded: "I am from here, no one will take me away". Over time, he consolidated his position and was named captain of Cruz Azul.
The same drive was reflected in his path with the Mexican National Team. Lira admitted that he dreamed of playing in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but not being selected made him realize he still needed to improve and learn. The World Cup absence became motivation to raise his level and aim for a new goal: "The next World Cup will not take me away". The midfielder became one of the best players of Javier Aguirre’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
For Lira, growth would not have been possible without the support of teammates, technical staff, and the institution. Receiving the captain’s armband, he considered it one of the most important recognitions of his cemented phase. "I could not be what I am without Cruz Azul," he affirmed, highlighting that leadership requires maintaining the mindset that accompanied him in the most difficult moments. In the comments of the interview, many fans said goodbye to the player after rumors of a departure.
