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It’s difficult to succeed in Europe for Mexican footballers. It’s a whole new ball game compared to Mexico. They have to make do with the fact that good Mexican food will be hard to come by. Not that I’ve been to England (one of these days it’ll happen), but seriously I truly doubt you’ll find good Chile Relleno walking the streets of London. More seriously, players also have to make do with the fact that they’ll have to learn a new language and that the weather will be much different. In general, for anyone starting a new job in a new location, it's a difficult task. You don’t have to be a footballer to know what that feels like.
Think of Mexican players that have succeeded in Europe. Very few come to mind. The most well-known players to have made it in Europe are Hugo Sanchez with Real Madrid and Rafa Marquez with Barcelona. Hugol had a legendary career with Los Blancos and Marquez has been one of the most successful exports to the old continent. Nery Castillo had a great career with Olympiacos F.C. before his career started to free-fall after signing for Shakhtar Donestk. Others of note that have had extended careers in Europe are Carlos Salcido with PSV and Francisco Rodriguez with PSV as well. These players had successful careers with their respective club where they played for more than one season.
The list of those that have failed to adapt to the European game is a bit longer, unfortunately. Jared Borgetti had one season for the Bolton Wanderers and, even though he’s considered a legend of the game, he failed to succeed at his new club. The following players all have one thing in common, that they returned back to Liga MX having failed to succeed in Europe: Pablo Barrera, Javier Aquino, Guillermo Franco, Omar Bravo, Efrain Juarez, and Antonio De Nigris. One of the most recent players to have failed and arguably one of the most important stars for El Tri is none other than Giovani dos Santos. Gio didn’t return to Mexico but did return to the Americas. He has just started a successful career with LA Galaxy, but it comes after having had a roller coaster stint in Europe.
It’s an arduous task to go overseas, and the following players are working hard to make great things happen there, and make their country proud:
Jonathan Dos Santos: Villarreal
Photo: @FOXDeportes | Twitter
Gio might have just left Villarreal but his brother is still holding down the fort at the La Liga side. The former Barcelona midfielder played 42 games last season in all competitions for the Yellow Submarine, starting 17 of those games. He scored 3 goals in all competitions. With both Gio and Luciano Vietto having left the squad, Jonathan will have to show why he was once about to break into Barcelona’s first team.
Carlos Vela: Real Sociedad
Photo: @FUTBOLAFULL1 | Twitter
The return of Carlos Vela to El Tri was highly anticipated but he failed to meet expectations in a disappointing Gold Cup. Even though El Tri won the tournament, he was outshone by longtime El Tri staple Andres Guardado. He’ll hope to be better for Real Sociedad. He’s had great performances for them and has been labeled “one of the finest players in Europe” by club manager David Moyes. He missed a lot of last season, though, and that could have played a part in a Gold Cup performance that lacked quality. This will be his 5th season at the club and if he ever wants to play for a big club team and play in the UEFA Champions League, it’s now or never for him to put in one of the best performances of his career. At 26, he may never have that chance again.
Hector Moreno: Espanyol
Photo: @football_oranje | Twitter
The former UNAM player has had better summers. Having missed the Gold Cup with El Tri, he’ll be coming back for his 5th season with Espanyol and will hope to quickly regain his form after recovering from injury. Mexico definitely missed the center-back in the Gold Cup but it’s good that he took some time off to recover. He’s a staple of the national team and El Tri fans will hope he has another successful season with Espanyol.
Guillermo Ochoa: Malaga
Photo: @yosoy8a | Twitter
Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa is a complicated situation. He’s running the risk of being added to the list of Mexican players that have flopped in Europe. Many believed his move from Ajaccio to Malaga was going to prove fruitful but it’s been a difficult experience for him. He had a great Gold Cup for El Tri but will return to his La Liga side where he only saw 5 instances of competition. He played exactly 0 times for Malaga in La Liga. With him seeing most action from the bench, many believed that he would move to Liverpool in the last transfer window but that didn’t prove to be true. With Carlos Kameni still first team goalkeeper, Ochoa should look elsewhere for first team action. The transfer window is coming to a close soon and there haven’t been many transfer rumours of note.
Diego Reyes: Real Sociedad (On-loan from Porto)
Photo: @Diego_Reyes13 | Twitter
Diego Reyes is beginning the new season at a new club with El Tri teammate Carlos Vela. The Porto Loanee looks excited to be with Real Sociedad and at 22, he’s very young. He may not have had that many opportunities with Porto last season but will be hoping for more opportunities with his new club. He’s already starting to mold himself into a reliable starter for El Tri, having played most of El Tri’s games during the Gold Cup.
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez: Manchester United
Photo: @CH14_ | Twitter
Chicha, Chicha, Chicha. He’s had an interesting time in Europe. Since his highly successful first season at Manchester United, his playing time has slowly been reduced by managerial changes, world-class strikers being signed and an overall lack of faith in the hardworking diminutive forward. Even though he did leave his mark at Real Madrid, he’s back with the Red Devils. Louis Van Gaal surely must have more faith in Chicha this time around. Man Utd hasn’t signed any other strikers since both Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao left. He might still be transferred elsewhere or loaned out before the end of the window but if he stays, he’ll have to fight harder than he has ever before for a place in the team.
Miguel Layun: Watford
Photo: @WatfordFC | Twitter
There is no greater way to start a new season with a new club, in a new country that has arguably one of the most competitive environments in the world, than by scoring your first goal. Miguel Layun had a dream debut for Watford in the English Premier League and will most likely keep his place in the starting line up. Keep an eye on him this season.
Rafa Marquez: Hellas Verona
Photo: @RafaMarquezMX | Twitter
The Mexico legend continues his exploits in Europe. He is now entering his 2nd season with Hellas Verona and will continue to cement his status as one of the most successful Mexican exports. Many believed that the former Barcelona defender was done with Europe but he had a great first season with Hellas Verona in Seria A and will continue to put on the Verona shirt heading into the new season. The man who has played in 5 different countries and leagues, played 27 games last season for Verona. He also featured for El Tri in the Copa America. Even though he’s 36, it seems as though his legs will continue to carry him for a few more years at least.
Andres Guardado: PSV Eindhoven
Photo: @ESPNmx | Twitter
There’s not much to say about the Gold Cup hero. He cemented his place in the PSV lineup last season and was one of their heroes in their successful season in the Dutch league. They won the Eredivisie title in his first season with the club and he earned himself the title of Dutch First Division Best Player. He was Mexico’s hero as well this summer, taking most of the flak for the controversial penalties earned by El Tri and also putting on one of his best performances for Mexico, earning the Golden Ball. Many called for him to miss those penalties but he went ahead and scored them, and whether you criticize him for it, you can’t ignore he’s having one of the best moments of his career. Lets look to him having another successful season.
Ulises Davila: Vitoria (On-loan from Chelsea)
Photo: @uli_davila | Twitter
The 24-year-old hasn’t fully gained Jose Mourinho’s trust and will once again be loaned out to Portugal’s first division side Vitoria. Along with the lack of trust, he has also had issues with his work permit that have added to the reasons why he has been loaned out since he signed for Chelsea. He had half a season with the Portuguese side in the 2014-15 season and spent the rest of the season with Spanish side Tenerife. He had 11 appearances for Vitoria and will return this season to have a full season with the club. He did mention that he hopes to make his first appearance at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea in 2016. He’ll have to have a great season this coming year and will also have to make sure he sorts things out with his work permit.
Alan Pulido: Olympiacos F.C.
Photo: @futbolsapiens | Twitter
Alan Pulido has had a troubled transfer saga with Tigres F.C. but he’ll hope to put that past him and start his new career with Greek side, Olympiacos F.C.
Hector Herrera: Porto
Photo: @DemianMigss | Twitter
The man we saw during the Gold Cup was not the man who was on fire for Porto last season. Regardless of his performances for El Tri, he’ll be once again be a regular for the Primeira side and will continue his assault on teams in the Portuguese league and in Europe. And at only 25, there are many speculations that a big money move is on the way.
Raul Guidino: Porto
Photo: @RaulGudino1 | Twitter
Not much is known about this player. He is a Chivas Academy product and was recently signed by Porto. He’s one of their three goal keepers and by the looks of it, will be there 3rd choice, with Helton and Iker Casillas ahead of him. At only 19 years of age though, he’ll most certainly be a player of the future for El Tri. He’s at one of the most well-known sides for producing quality players, and under the guidance of Spanish legend Iker Casillas. Make sure to keep an eye on Raul Gudino who might be turning heads in the future.
Raul Jimenez: Benfica
Photo: @Raul_Jimenez9 | Twitter
Raul Jimenez had a poor season for Atletico Madrid and speculation that he’ll be on the move due to Los Rojiblancos adding Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto to their forward line has finally been confirmed. He will now be on the move to Benfica. Los Rojiblancos already had Fernando Torres and Antoine Griezmann up front, so it was always going to be difficult for Jimenez to shine for the club. He is now confirmed to be leaving in this transfer window, having spent one season with Atletico. Hopefully the 24-year-old’s luck will be much better at his new club in Portugal.
Jesus Corona: Twente
Photo: @MRayado04 | Twitter
Tecatito is the only player for El Tri that played both the Copa America and Gold Cup. He had quality performances in both competitions; one of note being his goal in El Tri’s win against Jamaica that put El Tri up 2-0 and on its way to winning of the tournament. This season hel returns to Twente and will continue to be a key player for the Dutch side. He’s still very young – 22-years-old – and will most likely be a key player both in Mexico winning their Confederation Cup play-off match against the U.S.A. and long into the future as he develops.
