The Águilas midfielder reclaimed his place in the squad under the guidance of André Jardine.
Jonathan dos Santos rose from a long pause to reestablish himself as a true pillar of the team, earning a permanent spot in Jardine’s starting eleven. The Mexican playmaker has started every match for Águilas in the 2023 Opening phase, a remarkable turnaround after more than a year and a half spent on the bench under the previous coaching regime.
Under Fernando Ortíz, dos Santos had not found the level of consistency he desired and often began matches on the bench during the era of coach Tano. Today, the former Barcelona man is enjoying a standout period with the Coapa club and hopes to carry that momentum through the remainder of the season’s commitments in the second half of the year.
Anticipation for the Capital Classic against Pumas prompted the veteran midfielder to speak candidly to the media ahead of the game at the Coloso de Santa Úrsula. He addressed his prior lack of minutes and his experience under the previous manager, offering insights into the personal and professional adjustments that accompanied his return to prominence.
“It was tough not to play for such a long stretch. That explains why I kept to myself for a while and avoided media comments. No one asked about me, and there were no hard feelings. But for my mental health it felt right to step back from the spotlight for a while”, he reflected. “Ultimately, we are all important to the team. I did not think about national selection. Honestly, I am happy at the club. I am living one of the best moments of my career. I am 33 years old, but I feel like a 25, 24-year-old kid ready to take on every challenge.”