There are few nations as keen about soccer as Mexico. Followers of El Tri reside and breathe the gorgeous recreation – and at all times demand extra.
Mexico reached the World Cup final 16 in each version of the match between 1994 and 2018, however El Tri have been unable to take that subsequent step since a quarter-final on residence soil in 1986.
Reaching a fifth fixture, el quinto partido , has change into one thing of an obsession for followers and analysts. But Mexico fell within the group levels in 2022 and El Tri are actually trying to rebuild once more.
Regardless of all that, Mexico have dominated in North America together with the USA, profitable quite a few CONCACAF Gold Cups, plus the Confederations Cup in 1999 and Olympic gold in 2012. Right here, a take a look at a number of the nation’s greatest-ever gamers within the males’s recreation…
32. Ricardo Osorio
Mexico’s Ricardo Osorio competes for the ball with Costa Rica’s Armando Alonso in a World Cup qualifier in March 2009. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Ricardo Osorio received 82 caps for Mexico between 2003 and 2011 and featured for El Tri on the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
A centre-back or right-back, Osorio is a two-time Gold Cup winner with Mexico and had lengthy spells at Cruz Azul and Monterrey in his homeland. The defender additionally spent 4 seasons in Germany with VfB Stuttgart and helped the Reds win the Bundesliga in 2006/07.
31. Salvador Carmona
Mexico’s Salvador Carmona holds off Brazil’s Adriano within the 2005 Confederations Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Certainly one of Mexico’s best-ever defenders, Salvador Carmona may play as a full-back or within the centre of the again line and received 84 caps for El Tri.
Carmona picked up 4 Mexican championships with Toluca and likewise loved success with El Tri, profitable two Gold Cups and a Confederations Cup. However in a later version of that match in 2005, he examined optimistic for a banned substance and was suspended for a 12 months. The defender was later given a lifetime ban which noticed his profession curtailed after a second optimistic check taken in January 2006.
30. Hirving Lozano
Hirving Lozano celebrates after scoring for Mexico in opposition to Germany on the 2018 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Hirving Lozano is one in all Mexico’s most profitable exports, with three league titles picked up in Europe – two with PSV and one other at Napoli.
The versatile winger additionally received a few trophies with first membership Pachuca. He has been a key participant for Mexico since 2016 and scored the winner for El Tri in a well-known 1-0 victory over Germany on the 2018 World Cup.
29. Héctor Herrera
Hector Herrera celebrates a aim for Mexico in opposition to Senegal in additional time on the 2012 London Olympics. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Héctor Herrera broke by in 2012 as Mexico received the distinguished Toulon Event for Underneath-23 nationwide groups and he was named the competitors’s finest participant.
The midfielder went on to be a key performer as Mexico’s Underneath-23 facet received gold on the London Olympics and made his full debut that 12 months, occurring to say 105 caps in complete by 2023. At membership degree, he received a Portuguese title in his six seasons at Porto and one other at Atlético Madrid, though he was much less of an everyday throughout his time in Spain.
28. Francisco Rodríguez
Francisco Rodriguez in motion for Mexico in opposition to South Africa throughout the 2010 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Francisco Rodriguez earned over 100 caps for Mexico between 2004 and 2015, featured in three World Cups for El Tri and was a Gold Cup winner in 2015.
Nicknamed “Maza” as a result of he hails from town of Mazatlán, the massive central defender started his profession at Guadalajara, however spent 4 years in Europe with PSV and Stuttgart. Again in his homeland, he went on to play for América, Cruz Azul and Lobos BUAP earlier than retiring in 2019.
27. Ramón Ramírez
Ramon Ramirez is congratulated by Hugo Sanchez after scoring for Mexico in opposition to Ecuador on the 1993 Copa America. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The most effective Mexican midfielders of his era, Ramón Ramírez was restricted by accidents throughout his profession however nonetheless performed 119 occasions for El Tri between 1991 and 2000, scoring 15 targets.
A 3-time Gold Cup winner, Ramírez additionally featured within the crew which received the Confederations Cup in 1999 and was a Copa América runner-up in 1993. Often used as a winger but in addition in a position to play at full-back, Ramírez received the Golden Ball for the Gold Cup’s finest participant in 1993. He had two spells at Guadalajara in his membership profession and received a Mexican championship in 1997.
26. Héctor Moreno
Hector Moreno in motion for Mexico in opposition to Uruguay on the 2010 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Certainly one of Mexico’s best-ever defenders, Hector Moreno received 132 caps for El Tri between 2007 and 2023 and performed for a lot of his profession in Europe.
A two-time Gold Cup winner in 2011 and 2019, Moreno received Dutch titles with AZ Alkmaar and PSV at membership degree and likewise had spells at Espanyol, Roma and Actual Sociedad.
25. Alberto García Aspe
Mexico’s Alberto Garcia Aspe will get away from Eire’s Roy Keane in a match on the 1994 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Alberto García Aspe performed 109 occasions for Mexico in a 14-year worldwide profession between 1988 and 2002 and scored 21 targets for El Tri.
A former Mexican captain, the midfielder was a part of the squads which received the Gold Cup in 1996 and the Confederations Cup three years later. At membership degree, he’s finest remembered for lengthy spells at Pumas and Necaxa.
24. Pável Pardo
Pavel Pardo celebrates after scoring for Mexico in opposition to Honduras in 2008. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Pável Pardo made virtually 150 appearances for Mexico between 1996 and 2009, serving to El Tri to the 1999 Confederations Cup crown and two Gold Cup triumphs in that point.
The trendy defensive midfielder began out at Atlas, however spent a lot of his profession at América in two lengthy spells. He additionally received a Bundesliga title with VfB Stuttgart in a two-and-a-half 12 months stick with the German membership.
23. Luís Roberto Alves
Mexico’s Luis Roberto Alves competes for the ball with the USA’s George Pope in a World Cup qualification match in 1997. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Luís Roberto Alves was born in Mexico Metropolis and went on to comply with within the footsteps of his father José Alves dos Santos, a legendary Brazilian striker who starred for América within the Nineteen Sixties.
Affectionately often called Zague (as his father was), the striker is without doubt one of the Mexican league’s all-time prime scorers on 209 targets, with over 150 of these coming in an 11-year spell at América. With Mexico, he received the Gold Cup in 1993, was a Copa América runner-up the identical 12 months and scored 30 targets in 84 appearances total.
22. Carlos Salcido
Carlos Salcido celebrates after scoring for Mexico in opposition to Argentina on the Confederations Cup in 2005. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Carlos Salcido received over 100 caps for Mexico and scored 10 targets for El Tri in a 10-year worldwide profession.
The central defender performed in three World Cups for Mexico and received a Gold Cup in 2011. He was profitable in Europe too, serving to PSV to 2 Dutch titles, and had a short spell at Fulham.
21. Enrique Borja
Mexico’s Enrique Borja is embraced by team-mates after scoring in opposition to France on the 1966 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Enrique Borja scored 31 targets for Mexico in 65 caps and is taken into account one of many nation’s best-ever strikers.
Borja performed for Mexico Metropolis rivals Pumas and América in a profitable membership profession and was Primera División prime scorer thrice. He represented Mexico on the 1966 and 1970 World Cups.
20. Gerardo Torrado
Gerardo Torrado in motion for Mexico in opposition to Honduras within the Gold Cup in 2007. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Gerardo Torrado received 144 caps for Mexico between 1999 and 2013 and the defensive midfielder was one in all only some Mexican gamers of his era to maneuver to Europe.
Torrado had spells in Spain with Tenerife, Poli Ejido, Sevilla and Racing Santader earlier than returning to his homeland with Cruz Azul, the place he stayed for 11 years. A two-time Gold Cup winner with Mexico, he performed in three World Cups and was within the squad for El Tri’s Confederations Cup win in 1999.
19. Antonio Carbajal
Legendary Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal in 1966. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Antonio ‘Tota’ Carbajal received 48 caps for Mexico between 1950 and 1966 and have become the primary participant ever to seem in 5 World Cups.
That mark was equalled by Lothar Matthäus in 1998 (and subsequently by a number of others since), however Carbajal stays one in all a choose group of males’s gamers to have performed in 5 World Cups. At membership degree, he began out at Membership España, however spent most of his profession at León.
18. Oribe Peralta
Oribe Peralta celebrates after scoring Mexico’s second aim in opposition to Brazil within the remaining of the lads’s soccer match on the 2012 Olympics. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Oribe Peralta scored 26 targets for Mexico in 67 appearances between 2005 and 2018 and featured in two World Cups for El Tri – in 2014 and 2018.
The previous Santos Laguna and América striker additionally netted 11 targets for Mexico in Pan American and Olympic Video games. He’s finest remembered for netting twice as El Tri’s Underneath-23 facet beat Brazil to win the Olympic gold medal at London 2012.
17. Salvador Reyes
Salvador Reyes with Guadalajara circa 1958. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Salvador Reyes received 49 caps for Mexico within the Fifties and Nineteen Sixties and scored 14 targets for El Tri. He additionally performed in three World Cups – in 1958, 1962 and 1966.
At membership degree, the ahead spent most of his profession at Guadalajara and loved big success, scoring 122 targets and profitable seven championships. In homage to his big contribution in that point, he was registered by Chivas and began a recreation in opposition to Pumas in January 2008, taking part in the opening 50 seconds to change into the oldest participant in Mexico’s top-flight historical past on the age of 71.
16. Raúl Jiménez
Raul Jimenez celebrates after scoring for Mexico in opposition to New Zealand on the Confederations Cup in June 2017. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Raúl Jiménez made his Mexico debut in 2013 and the previous Benfica and Wolves striker had racked up in extra of 100 caps and 30 targets by 2024.
Throughout his time at Wolves, Jiménez spent 9 months on the sidelines after struggling a severe head damage, however returned to motion in August 2021. The striker, who went on to affix Fulham in 2023, received a Gold Cup with Mexico in 2015 and an Olympic gold medal as a “overage” participant on the London Olympics in 2012.
15. Luis García
Mexico’s Luis Garcia jumps over USA’s Alexi Lalas in a match in June 1995. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
To not be confused with the favored former Liverpool and Barcelona winger of the identical, Luis García received 77 caps for Mexico and scored 28 targets for El Tri between 1992 and 1999.
A ahead or winger who began his profession at Mexico Metropolis membership Pumas, García went on to spend three years in Spain with Atlético Madrid and Actual Sociedad within the mid-Nineties. He was joint-top scorer with 4 targets alongside Argentina’s Gabriel Batistuta as Mexico reached the quarter-finals of the Copa América in 1995.
14. Claudio Suárez
Mexico’s Claudio Suarez vies for the ball with Ecuador’s Franklin Saras on the 2004 Copa America. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Claudio Suárez performed in 177 official matches for Mexico between 1992 and 2006 and was El Tri’s most-capped participant of all time till he was overtaken by Andrés Guardado in 2022.
The legendary former centre-back went to a few World Cups in complete and performed in two. He was a part of the squads which received three Gold Cups and likewise the Confederations Cup in 1999.
13. Guillermo Ochoa
Guillermo Ochoa celebrates a Mexico aim in opposition to Honduras in a World Cup qualifier in October 2021. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Guillermo Ochoa is a type of gamers who, for worldwide followers not less than, appears to vanish between World Cups earlier than re-emerging to star for Mexico within the match each 4 years.
The goalkeeper with the trademark curls has gone to 5 World Cups and began in three. He’s additionally a five-time Gold Cup winner with Mexico and helped El Tri to a bronze medal on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as an “overage” participant. He received his a hundred and fiftieth senior cap in 2024.
12. Giovani dos Santos
Giovani dos Santos celebrates after scoring for Mexico in opposition to USA within the remaining of the Gold Cup in July 2009. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Giovani dos Santos was one in all Mexico’s triumphant crew on the Underneath-17 World Championship in Peru and went on to win over 100 caps for El Tri, scoring 19 targets.
After coming by the youth system at Barcelona the place he had moved along with his household as a young person, Giovani signed for Tottenham in 2008. Loaned out to Ipswich City, Galatasaray and Racing Santanger in his time at Spurs, Gio fared higher in spells at Villarreal and LA Galaxy however his return to Mexico with América in 2019 was not a hit. The attacker additionally helped El Tri to a few Gold Cups in 2009, 2011 and 2015 and was a part of the Underneath-23 facet which received the gold medal on the London Olympics in 2012.
11. Carlos Vela
Carlos Vela celebrates after scoring for Mexico in opposition to Belize in a World Cup qualifying match in June 2008. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Carlos Vela completed as the highest scorer as Mexico received the Underneath-17 World Championship in 2005 and the proficient striker earned a transfer to Arsenal.
Shipped out on mortgage to the likes of Salamanca and Celta Vigo over the subsequent few seasons, Vela impressed later in his profession in lengthy spells at each Actual Sociedad and Los Angeles FC. However his worldwide profession didn’t reside as much as its early expectations as he refused a collection of call-ups after he was fined for attending a celebration in Monterrey following a recreation in opposition to Colombia. He returned in 2015 and once more in 2017, occurring to function within the 2018 World Cup, however by no means performed for Mexico once more after that and completed his worldwide profession with 72 caps and 19 targets for El Tri.
10. Carlos Hermosillo
Carlos Hermosillo scores for Mexico in opposition to Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifying match in November 1997. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Carlos Hermosillo began his profession at América within the mid-Eighties however went on to impress with Mexico Metropolis rivals Cruz Azul within the Nineties.
Hermosillo is among the many highest scorers in Mexico’s historical past, with near 300 targets within the nation’s prime flight. He’s additionally one of many nationwide crew’s most prolific scorers, with 34 targets in his 90 appearances, and was a part of El Tri’s squads on the 1986 and 1994 World Cups.
9. Benjamín Galindo
benjamin Galindo in motion for Mexico in opposition to El Salvador in October 1997. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
One of the crucial trendy gamers in Mexico’s historical past, Benjamín Galindo was a technically gifted midfielder who scored 28 targets in 65 caps for El Tri.
The previous Guadalajara and Santos Laguna icon made his worldwide debut in 1983 and final performed for his nation in 1997. The midfielder received home titles with 4 totally different Mexican golf equipment and completed his profession with extra matches within the nation’s prime flight (697) than some other participant.
8. Luis Hernández
Luis Hernandez celebrates after scoring for Mexico in opposition to South Korea on the 1998 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Luis Hernandez netted 35 occasions in 85 video games for Mexico between 1995 and 2002 and is El Tri’s highest scorer at a males’s World Cup, having hit 4 at France 98.
Hernández, who was recognized for his trademark blonde locks, is finest remembered at membership degree for profitable spells at Necaxa and Tigres. He additionally had a short stint on mortgage at Boca Juniors.
7. Jared Borgetti
Jared Borgetti celebrates a aim for Mexico in opposition to Ecuador on the 2002 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Jared Borgetti scored 46 targets in 89 video games for Mexico and was El Tri’s prime scorer till he was overtaken by Javier Hernández in 2017.
The previous Santos Laguna favorite additionally had a brief spell in England with Bolton Wanderers. He scored virtually 300 membership targets and his header in opposition to Italy on the 2002 World Cup is taken into account one in all Mexico’s finest ever within the match.
6. Andrés Guardado
Andres Guardado celebrates after scoring for Mexico in opposition to Croatia on the 2014 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Andrés Guardado received 179 caps for Mexico between 2005 and 2022 and was a part of three Gold Cup-winning groups for El Tri in that point.
At membership degree, the versatile midfielder impressed in lengthy spells at Deportivo La Coruña and Actual Betis and likewise had spells at PSV, Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen. Guardado performed in 5 World Cups total and retired from worldwide obligation in 2023.
5. Javier Hernández
Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring for Mexico in opposition to Bolivia in a pleasant in February 2010. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The son of a well-known participant of the identical identify, Javier Hernández got here by the youth ranks at Guadalajara and made his Mexico debut on the age of 21.
Nicknamed El Chicharito (“Little Pea”), Hernández went on to change into Mexico’s all-time prime scorer with 51 targets. The striker featured for El Tri in three World Cups and performed for a few of Europe’s prime groups – together with Manchester United and Actual Madrid.
4. Cuauhtémoc Blanco
Cuauhtemoc Blanco celebrates after scoring for Mexico in opposition to France on the 2010 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Cuauhtémoc Blanco is the one Mexican males’s participant to have scored in three editions of the World Cup and was controversially not noted of the squad by Ricardo La Volpe in 2006.
The América legend additionally invented a transfer which took his identify as he positioned the ball between his ft and jumped to keep away from a problem. It was known as La Cuauhtemiña in Mexico and often called the “Blanco bounce” in English. A gifted quantity 10 who additionally performed in Europe with Valladolid, Blanco featured in 119 video games for Mexico and scored 38 targets. He helped El Tri win two Gold Cups and a Confederations Cup in 1999, ending as joint-top scorer within the final of these tournaments.
3. Jorge Campos
Jorge Campos forward of a recreation for Mexico on the 1994 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
One of the crucial iconic gamers in Mexico’s historical past, Jorge Campos grew to become a cult determine as a result of his shiny jerseys (which he helped design), his spectacular reflexes and his behavior of popping out of his space to make interceptions and distribute possession.
Regardless of his small stature of simply 5ft 6in (1.68m), Campos is taken into account one in all Mexico’s best goalkeepers of all time. The eccentric goalkeeper additionally scored over 30 targets throughout his membership profession and spent a season taking part in as a striker at Pumas.
2. Hugo Sánchez
Hugo Sanchez celebrates in acrobatic trend after scoring for Mexico in opposition to Belgium on the 1986 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Hugo Sánchez received the Pichichi prize for La Liga’s prime scorer 5 occasions between 1984 and 1990 – 4 of these with Actual Madrid and one at Atlético – and helped Los Blancos to 5 titles in a row.
A legendary former striker with a penchant for overhead kicks and acrobatic efforts, Hugo is one in all Actual Madrid’s best-ever gamers and a legend in his homeland. His profession with Mexico didn’t fairly reside as much as his performances in Spain, however he nonetheless scored 29 targets for El Tri in 58 appearances.
1. Rafa Márquez
Rafa Marquez in motion for Mexico in opposition to Brazil on the 2018 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Rafa Márquez received near 150 caps for Mexico between 1997 and 2018 and the trendy former defender is the one man in soccer historical past to have captained his nationwide crew at 5 World Cups.
Blessed with spectacular imaginative and prescient and technical means, Márquez remodeled 200 appearances for Barcelona in seven years on the Catalan membership and spent a season in central midfield beneath Frank Rijkaard. Nicknamed El Kaiser de Michoacán , he is without doubt one of the best Mexican gamers of all time and considering performances for each membership and nation, the perfect of all of them.
