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Top 10 Mexican Soccer Players

Chicharito 2010 – By https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonflood/ / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Looking back at the best soccer players that have emerged over the years, there are numerous talents who hail from various countries.

Despite all of the well-known players who originate from Europe, there are many incredible athletes who are from South America – a continent which doesn’t receive the same recognition as Europe does.

In South America, we have discovered the likes of Messi, possibly the best soccer player of his generation. Neymar emerged as a young talent, and has taken his skills overseas, playing in the top leagues of various countries. An overlooked country that is home to skilled players who have used their talents to positively affect teams is Mexico. Despite not being considered one of the top countries in terms of soccer ability, we have compiled a list of the top 9Mexican soccer players who have established themselves as some of the best players of their time.

1) Luis Hernandez

Luis Hernandez – By dom fellowes from UK / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Luis was born on December 22, 1968. He spent his career playing for various clubs in his home country of Mexico, spending time at Queretaro F.C., Cruz Azul, Monterrey, and many others. His time at Chiapas gained him a two-time winner for Mexico鈥檚 Player of the Year in 1997 and the following year. He took his talents to Argentina, but failed to break-in to the starting eleven, and later returned to Mexico, where he had two great seasons, scoring 47 goals in 76 games.

He took his talents to America, where he played for L.A. Galaxy in 2000. He scored 15 goals in 40 games in his time there, and later returned to Mexico in 2002, before his retirement in 2004.聽

2) Salvador Reyes聽

Autogramm Salvador Reyes – By Salvador 鈥濩hava鈥� Reyes / Public domain

Reyes was born on September 20, 1936, and played for Guadalajara during his entire career. He scored 122 goals during his time, and won 7 championships, making him an extremely decorated athlete. He won his first championship in 1957, and later spurred on the team to win six more titles during his career.聽

He scored 14 goals for the Mexican national team from 1956-1966, and was a member of the team in three FIFA World Cups. As an honor to him as a player and everything he did for the Guadalajara club, he was registered for the 2008 season – he 鈥榩layed鈥� in a match for 50 seconds, which made him the oldest footballer to play in the first division in Mexico.聽

3) Luis de la Fuente

Estadio Luis de la Fuente – By Chivista / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Luis was born on January 17, 1914, and spent most of his playing career in Mexico. He played for Aurerra, Marte, and RC Espa帽a. After great performances with the national team, he signed with Racing de Santander in Spain. After a war in Spain, he returned to Mexico.

After more time in his home country, Atl茅tico Corrales signed Fuente – a team in Paraguay. He played for them for over a year, and then signed for an Argentinian team. The different teams he played for made him the first Mexican to play in four countries.聽

Fuente was known for being a skillful and technical midfielder that helped him distribute passes all over the field. He was dangerous in the air, and was talented using both feet on the ball.聽

4) Horacio Casar铆n

Casar铆n as born on May 25th, 1918 and became a popular sporting icon in the 1940-1950 time period. At just 17, he debuted for Necaxa. During his career in Mexico, he scored 236 goals and participated in the FIFA World Cup in 1950.聽

When he played for Atlante, he scored 95 goals during his time, and contributed to the team winning the 1946-47 championship. He played his last game in 1956, where he scored a goal for CF Monterrey. Since the Mexican league was amateur until the 1940s, he is credited with scoring 174 goals in the Primera Division.聽

5) Cuauht茅moc Blanco

Cuauht茅moc_Blanco-Dorados – By Hefebreo / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Blanco was born on January 17th, 1973, and played most of his career with Club Am茅rica. During his time at this club, he scored 135 goals in 333 appearances, cementing himself as an important historical figure for the team.聽

Blanco debuted in Mexico鈥檚 first division in 1992 at only the age of 19. He won a Golden Boot in 1998, and was then loaned to Club Necaxa. After his stint here, he was loaned to Real Valladolid, where he struggled to regain his goal-scoring form.聽

After a season with Veracruz in 2004, he led Am茅rica to his first club championship in 2005. After his seasons in Mexico, he went on to play for the Chicago Fire in the MLS, where he became the second-highest-paid player in major league soccer. After a successful couple of seasons in America, he decided to return home, where he spent his final few seasons, before retiring in 2016.

6) Andr茅s Guardado

Andr茅s_Guardado – By 袗薪褌芯薪 袙芯谢泻芯胁 / CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL

Guardado was born on September 28th, 1986, and started his professional career with Club Atlas. In 2007, Deportiva de La Coru帽a acquired rights to Guaradado for over $7 million, making him the most expensive Mexican player.聽

He was a key player for the team, and became a key part of the starting eleven. He underwent several injuries during his time here, but he scored numerous goals, and was voted by the fans as the best player. He decided the 2011-12 season would be his last at the club, and was traded to Valencia.

He signed a 4-year contract with Valencia, but was hampered by injuries and poor form. He was loaned out during his time here, and played on both PSV and Bayer Leverkusen. In 2017, he moved to Real Betis, and continues to play there currently – at least until his contract expires in 2022.

7) Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela Stoke City FC v Arsenal – By Carlos_Vela_-_Stoke_City_FC_V_Arsenal_62.jpg: Ronnie Macdonaldderivative work: Off2riorob / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Vela was born on March 1st, 1989, and started his career at the club Guadalajara. He was the top scorer at the U-17 World Championship in 2005, and later joined Arsenal following his performance. He followed up his Arsenal time with stints at Spanish clubs, West Bromwich, and then settling with Real Sociedad. He then joined L.A. FC in 2018, and won MVP and the MLS Golden Boot.聽

8) Cirilo Saucedo

Cirilo Saucedo – By Hefebreo from Tijuana, Mexico / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Saucedo was born on January 5th, 1982, and rose to fame while playing for Club Le贸n in Mexico. After a successful spell here, he was contracted by the Dorados de Sinaloa. During his first season in the top division, he started all of the matches, and allowed 32 goals.聽

He spent short stints at CD Veracruz, UANL Tigres, and then Apertura. After the loan from the Tigres, he returned to his team, and won the Superliga.

9) Javier Hern谩ndez

Javier Hernandez in 2012 – By Saadick Dhansay / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Hern谩ndez was born on June 1st, 1988, and began his career for Guadalajara in 2006. He became the first Mexican player to join Manchester United in 2010, and scored 20 goals in his first season. Due to some issues with the manager, he was loaned to Real Madrid, before signing for Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. He returned to England after two seasons, and played for West Ham in the Premier League. Most recently, he joined Sevilla in 2019.

Hern谩ndez is Mexico鈥檚 all-time leading goal scorer, after having debuted for his national team in 2009 during a friendly match. He was on the team in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.聽

There you have it! 9 of the most prolific, talented, and infamous Mexican soccer players (or footballers) that have ever played professionally.聽