Mexico may be long shots to pip the likes of Brazil, Argentina and Germany to World Cup glory this summer but Tricolor midfielder Pavel Pardo insists he will be going to the finals with just one thought on his mind.
"I always look to win. The only thing which exists in this life is to win, so I have to be prepared for it," he said.
"Being a world champion would be the greatest dream."
Mexico's chances of progressing into the latter stages of the competition were boosted by the draw for the group phase where they were paired alongside Iran, Angola and Portugal.
However it gets a lot tougher after that for the world's fifth-ranked team as, if they get through, they will play a country from Group C - boasting Argentina, Holland, Serbia & Montenegro and Ivory Coast - in the next round.
With that prospect facing Mexico, Pardo admits they need to be in tip-top shape heading into the tournament.
"That's why an intensive pre-season training is crucial," said Pardo.
"I have to train very hard during the year to be physically fit, because this is a World Cup year."
Pardo, who plays for Mexican giants America, is set to take part in his second World Cup finals having also represented Mexico at the 1998 tournament.
However he was omitted from the squad for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea, and he fears record Mexico goalscorer Jared Borgetti may face a similar fate if he is not playing regular football at club level.
Borgetti has been little more than a bit-part player at Bolton since moving to England in the close season and Pardo feels the veteran striker may need to think about the possibility of moving on.
"I don't know very well what his situation is, but it is true that a player must be in rhythm of competition to play a World Cup," Pardo said.
"When he was at a high level, he netted a lot of goals, so it'll be important for him to play more minutes than at this moment, either in England or in any other country."
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