Why did Moctezuma tell Cortes that the Aztecs had been expecting him?

Moctezuma told Cortés that the Aztecs had been expecting him because he believed Cortés was the embodiment of the god Quetzalcoatl, who was prophesied to return and reclaim his kingdom. This belief was rooted in Aztec mythology and the timing of Cortés's arrival coincided with specific prophecies regarding Quetzalcoatl's return. Moctezuma's statement was also a strategic move to manipulate the situation, as he aimed to manage the Spaniards' presence and possibly integrate them into his empire rather than confront them outright.