Carlos Vela concedes Mexico are under the spotlight as they prepare for their World Cup opener.
They are the opponents of hosts South Africa in the curtain-raiser in Johannesburg on Friday and Vela knows that brings a considerable amount of pressure.
"It's a great opportunity, but it's not going to be easy because it's the first match, we're up against the host nation and there's all that pressure," the striker told www.fifa.com. "I think the key will be to shake off our nerves as quickly as possible and play like we have been doing these last few weeks. We're ready."
Years | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
2006 | Italy | France | Germany |
2002 | Brazil | Germany | Turkey |
1998 | France | Brazil | Croatia |
1994 | Brazil | Italy | Sweden |
1990 | Germany | Argentina | Italy |
1986 | Argentina | Germany | France |
1982 | Italy | Germany | Poland |
1978 | Argentina | Holland | Brazil |
1974 | Germany | Holland | Poland |
1970 | Brazil | Italy | Germany |
1966 | England | Germany | Portugal |
1962 | Brazil | Czech | Chile |
1958 | Brazil | Sweden | France |
1954 | Germany | Hungary | Austria |
1950 | Uruguay | Brazil | Sweden |
1938 | Italy | Hungary | Brazil |
1934 | Italy | Czech | Germany |
1930 | Uruguay | Argentina | America |