The best soccer players in Mexico have a lot to do at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and it’s a target of making the quarter-final, their first since 1986.
The Mexicans have been inconsistent with their appearances and World Cup performances. They will have a lot to prove as they also have to be joint hosts for the 2026 World Cup with neighbors Canada and the US.
It wasn’t the rosiest of qualifications for the Mexicans and was not as high-scoring as many would have expected.
So who would be the men to improve their goal-scoring abilities, or will the be another case of defenders and Goalkeepers taking the big shine? Let’s look at the five best soccer players in Mexico in 2022 ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
1. Guillermo Ochoa
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 37
You would have probably heard that Ochoa only plays professional football once in four years and only at the World Cup.
This is because his performances at the world have been nothing short of spectacular; at 37-year-old and still part of the Mexican national team, he remains one to look out for.
Guillermo Ochoa is one of the greatest North American footballers in World Cup history.
It will be his fifth world cup appearance in Qatar, and his previous editions have lived up to some unbelievable saves. His experience will come in handy for the El Tri.
2. Andrés Guardado
Position: Midfielder
Age: 35
Another fifth appearance in the Mexican team with Andrés Guardado; while Ochoa controls things at the back, Guardado does his in the Midfield.
As a nineteen-year-old, the midfielder made his debut at the World Cup in 2006 and has announced that this will be his last World Cup appearance.
Irrespective, he’s still playing at the top level in Europe and will be influential in anything Mexico does.
Despite being a veteran at 35, the Real Betis midfielder is still one of the best soccer players in Mexico.
3. Raúl Jiménez
Position: Forward
Age: 31
Raúl Jiménez is no stranger to the top level as he does it weekly with Wolves in the Premier League despite his skull fracture in 2022 against Arsenal.
Raúl Jiménez is a quality striker with excellent goalscoring abilities. He is quick, lethal, and knows how to find spaces to exploit the opposition defense.
He scored the most goals Mexico’s qualifier for Mexico in the qualifiers for the World Cup. This will be his third World Cup appearance and will be key with his aerial ability.
4. Hirving Lozano
Position: Forward
Age: 27
Hirving Lozano announced his name in the biggest stage of football when he scored Mexico’s winning goal as El Tri defeated the then reigning world champions Germany 1-0 in the 2018 World Cup.
Since then, he has gone on to become one of the best soccer players in Mexico.
Lozano has been enjoying a start to the Seria A season as the Napoli team continues to lead the Seria A table.
An injury to Jesus Corona keeps him in line to make an appearance at the World Cup due to the absence of his compatriot.
Lozano can play on any side of the frontline, including the center, and he must be in top shape for his second World Cup if Mexico are to enjoy any success looking at how their key players have been goal-shy.
5. Edson Álvarez
Position: Midfielder
Age: 24
Edson Álvarez has been doing well for Ajax in the UEFA Champions League and the Eredivisie operating as a box-to-box midfielder in the Netherlands.
Alvarez played in the 2018 World Cup with Mexico was the youngest player on the squad then.
The Mexican is an aggressive, combative, and hardworking midfielder. His tenacity in the middle of the pitch is one of Mexico’s biggest asset.
He’s already on the wish list of some of Europe’s biggest club sides and is destined for greatness.
