Top 25 Mexican Players

Top 25 Mexican Players (updated 4/5/17)

THE MEXICO TOP 25!

If you aren’t aware of my current project, I will be collaborating with other El Tri experts every month and rank who we deem to be the best Mexican players at the moment. It isn’t a “best of the month” list, but recent performances will of course influence our decisions. It should be fun.

Remember, these rankings are subjective. My main goal is to inspire discussion and conversations about our top players. Let us know any and all thoughts.

Collaborators from this month include: Tom Marshall, Raul Barraza, Jason Marquitz, Tom Harrison, Steve Graff and yours truly.

Here are the rankings for the current top 25 Mexican players:

1. Javier Hernandez
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Age: 28
Position: Striker
“México’s best chance to score on any given day. Playing well with the national team despite going through a rough club season.” – Raul

2. Carlos Vela
Club: Real Sociedad
Age: 28
Position: Striker
“After Vela’s performance in the Estadio Azteca against Costa Rica, Vela’s stock is clearly on the rise. It’s hard not to see him as an essential part of El Tri heading towards 2018.” – Jason

3. Andres Guardado
Club: PSV Eindhoven
Age: 30
Position: Midfielder
“PSV sit outside of the Champions League places at the moment, but are just five points off the top of the Eredivisie. Guardado is set for a crucial month or so.” – Tom H

4. Hector Moreno
Club: PSV Eindhoven
Age: 29
Position: Defender
“No question about it, Moreno is still Mexico’s best defender. Also important to note that Marquez gave him the captain’s armband the other day when he was substituted out.” – Cesar

5. Jonathan dos Santos
Club: Villarreal
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
“One of the better Europeos this season. His performances with El Tri are starting to match his La Liga form.” – Raul

6. Jesus Manuel Corona
Club: Porto
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder/Striker
“An injury kept him out of the recent Mexico roster, but his performances with the squad continue to dictate his inclusion.” – Jason

7. Miguel Layun
Club: Porto
Age: 28
Position: Defender
“With just three league starts in 2017, Layún may be looking to move on in the summer.” – Tom H

8. Hector Herrera
Club: Porto
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
“Herrera has the talents to be in the top five of this list, but continues to underwhelm for club and country. A change of scenery might be needed after this season.” – Cesar

9. Hirving Lozano
Club: Pachuca
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder/Striker
“He is ready for Europe. There is nothing left for him to accomplish in Mexico.” – Raul

10. Marco Fabian
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
“Fabian will be looking to regain the form he displayed with Frankfurt prior to his injury set back.” – Jason

11. Raul Jimenez
Club: Benfica
Age: 25
Position: Striker
“Jiménez has made just four starts in the league, but won the title for Benfica last season. With a tight race against Porto to come, can he repeat this feat?” – Tom H

12. Diego Reyes
Club: Espanyol
Age: 24
Position: Defender
“Reyes has quietly been able to secure a starting role for Espanyol this season. Although he might not become the next “Rafa,” the defender is currently thriving in Spain.” – Cesar

13. Giovani dos Santos
Club: L.A. Galaxy
Age: 27
Position: Striker
“A big season for Gio as Keane, Gerard, and Donovan (again) have left the Galaxy. Needs to play well to make a Mexico team this summer.” – Raul

14. Guillermo Ochoa
Club: Granada
Age: 31
Position: Goalkeeper
“Essential to his Granada side, Ochoa put in another solid showing for El Tri against Costa Rica.” – Jason

15. Orbelin Pineda
Club: Chivas
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
“Orbelín only made a cameo appearance during the recent international break, but should feature much more this summer.” – Tom H

16. Carlos Salcedo
Club: Fiorentina
Age: 23
Position: Defender
“All signs point to Fiorentina not offering a deal for Salcedo this summer. Will another European team pick him up?” – Cesar

17. Nestor Araujo
Club: Santos Laguna
Age: 25
Position: Defender
“Nestor Araujo: coming off one of his best showings with Mexico. Has entered the discussion as a CB partner with automatic starter, Moreno.” – Raul

18. Rodolfo Pizarro
Club: Chivas
Age: 23
Position: Midfielder
“Pizarro’s partnership with Orbelin Pineda has proved fruitful for Chivas. It shouldn’t be long before this proves out for Mexico as well.” – Jason

19. Alfredo Talavera
Club: Toluca
Age: 34
Position: Goalkeeper
“What will summer have in store for Talavera? Starting at the Confederations Cup, the Gold Cup, or just backup for Memo Ochoa? Seems a waste if Osorio doesn’t use him.” – Tom H

20. Erick Gutierrez
Club: Pachuca
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
“Lozano is deservedly earning plenty of attention, but Gutierrez is also doing well this season for Pachuca. A move to Europe appears inevitable.” – Cesar

21. Oribe Peralta
Club: America
Age: 33
Position: Striker
“Just when you think his national career is over, he gets hot with Club America and gets another Mexico start.” – Raul

22. Jurgen Damm
Club: Tigres
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder/Winger
“Damm’s speed and flexibility continue to make an asset for club and country. With a cleaner finishing touch, he would be significantly higher on this list.” – Jason

23. Javier Aquino
Club: Tigres
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder/Winger
“Aquino returned from injury against León. Tigres will want the winger in full flight if they’re to turn around their poor form.” – Tom H

24. Rafael Marquez
Club: Atlas
Age: 38
Position: Defender
“Whether we like it or not, the 38-year-old is here to stay. Recent comments from JCO indicate that the veteran has a place secured in the next World Cup roster.” – Cesar

25. Cesar Montes
Club: Monterrey
Age: 20
Position: Defender
“Plenty of options for him this summer. Could be at U20 WC, Gold Cup or at Confederations Cup.” – Raul

Honorable mentions: Jesus Molina, Fernando Navarro, Jose Juan Vazquez, Jesus Gallardo, Jesus Dueñas.

Comments

comments

To Top