Maza leaves Stuttgart because he wants to captain Mexico

Maza (left) had been with Stuttgart since 2011.

Martin Rose/Getty Images

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) -- Stuttgart says defender Maza is leaving the Bundesliga club to return to his native Mexico.

Maza will join the America club based in Mexico City.

Stuttgart says Maza asked to be released because he wanted to captain Mexico at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and to do that he needs to play regularly.

Maza joined Stuttgart before the start of the 2011-12 season. He had not played regularly this campaign.

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