Veteran Mexico goalkeeper Talavera eyeing 2022 World Cup

MEXICO CITY - Veteran goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera expressed hope on Thursday that his move to Pumas UNAM will help revive his stalled international career.

The 37-year-old faced the press for the first time since joining Pumas from their Liga MX rivals Toluca and he made no secret of his collective and personal goals.

"I'm going to give everything I've got for this club. I've got a big individual target with the national team and that's to go to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar," said Talavera, who earned the last of his 28 Mexico caps at the 2017 Confederations Cup.

The shot-stopper started his career at Guadalajara in 2003 and had a short spell at UANL before joining Toluca in 2009. He made 359 league appearances for the Red Devils, establishing himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in Mexico.

Although Pumas did not reveal details of the contract, Talavera said the deal was for 12 months with the option of another year.

"Nothing will be given to me. I'll have to earn my place and show what I can do to earn a second year," he said.

The Liga MX Clausura season was canceled in May, two months after football was suspended in Mexico because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Liga MX officials announced last month that the Apertura tournament would begin on July 24, with matches to be played without fans until further notice.