Mexico

Mexicans Abroad: Recap 2008

A large number of Mexicans played their football abroad in 2008 and Goal.com recorded their ventures in all the leagues around the world where they participated.

Dec 28, 2008 6:15:25 PM

More On : Mexico, Mexico Women

By César García

From the top European leagues, Eastern Europe, South America, and the United States, the México section of Goal.com recorded 35 players and two managers who disputed their football abroad in the second term of 2008.

In recent days, that number increased when Mexican legend Hugo Sánchez inked a contract as the new manager of Almería in Spain’s Primera División. Also, 31-year old Gerardo Torres joined fellow compatriot Rodrigo Prieto in Venezuela when he signed with Caracas FC for the upcoming Torneo Libertadores and Clausura 2009.

Don't Miss

Overview
It seems that before México had a good number of players abroad, the demand to export was at the top of the list as it was deemed crucial to the growth of Mexican football.

This year saw an important growth of Mexicans abroad. However, with few of them finding regular playing time and the less-than promising performances of the European-base of the national team, the Mexican press and clubs were quick to respond to this new happening in Mexican football.

Top Mexican clubs soon expressed an interest to repatriate players such as Salcido, Galindo, Pardo, Bravo, Castillo, and De Nigris back to the Mexican league and see them find a regularity to their game.

While the press and fans did not hesitate to make note of every time a player was left on the bench, and attacked the once hailed European-base of players that now comprise El Tri. There have even been calls to confront the final round of World Cup qualification with players mostly from the domestic league.

Perhaps the attention has been extremely critical towards the players in Europe, but the reality is that if México wants to be compared to the likes of Argentina and Brazil, then they must continue to export and understand that not every story can be of glory.

While they each enjoyed their varying degrees of success and misfortunes, the importance is that foreign teams are continuing to look towards México for reinforcements and the players are slowly beginning to disprove the myth that the Mexican footballer cannot perform abroad.

The Highs
The most successful Mexican was without a doubt manager Javier ‘El Vasco’ Aguirre, who took Atlético to the second round of the Champions League, and is currently on a 15-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. ‘El Vasco’ has lived up to his promises, stamped his style, and managed to maintain harmony in the Atléti locker room with his rotation system. Aguirre is assisted on the bench by fellow compatriots and former footballers, Ignacio Ambríz and Omar Arellano Sr.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco silenced his critics and proved that in México there is no other player quite like him. Despite being in the twilight of his career, at the age of 35 he remained an influential player for El Tri and surpassed expectations on Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, which has suited him well. In 2008, Blanco was proclaimed as an idol for the México faithful who incessantly chant his name at the stadiums. A just reward for ‘El Cuau’ in the upcoming year would be to take home honors from the MLS and a deserved farewell at the Estadio Azteca.

Out of the European-based players, ‘El Principito’ Andrés Guardado continued to demonstrate that he is the best Mexican player in actuality with positive performances for both club and country. In his second season in Spain, Guardado has proven to be a fan favorite, key player for Depor and a perfect fit for La Liga.

Honorable Mention
The first two players had positive performances in the year, but were far behind from their best. What saves them is their noteworthy careers and past accomplishments which have helped pave the way for the younger generation of Mexican footballers.

El Tri captain Rafael Márquez consolidated himself as a key figure in the formation of Pep Guardiola and played his 200th match for Barcelona in the most recent SuperClásico against Real Madrid. However, before the start of the season Márquez was on the verge of departing from the Catalan club and he has disputed 25 encounters in the year, far from the number of his best season on Barcelona in 2005. Regardless, Guardiola has exerted confidence for ‘El Kaiser de Michoacan’ which should help him return to the vanguard of Mexican football, if he can keep himself injury-free in the new year.

Pável Pardo achieved great success in Germany quite rapidly, with a Bundesliga title in his first season and as a bastion in the Stuttgart formation. However, this month Pardo brought his European career to a close after he returned to club América on a 3-year contract worth almost $4 million dollars. Many may argue that this was a premature move for Pardo, who only participated in two-and-a-half seasons in Germany and at the age of 32 has a few more years of good football. The truth is that due to Stuttgart’s one-year contract renovation policy for players over the age of 30 and his injury-plagued season, a return home to play on the team of his dreams was perhaps the best decision for him.

Also, 20-year old Héctor Moreno quickly consolidated himself on Eredivisie leading AZ Alkmaar, as an undisputed starter in the defense. Unfortunately, a foot fracture has halted his form and he will be sidelined for almost three months.

The Lows
The negatives outweighed the positives this year for Mexican players abroad. In fact, the performance of the national team is similar to that of most of the players abroad -- overhyped and unconvincing.

A lot was expected from youngsters Carlos Vela and Giovani Dos Santos, who were hailed as Mexico's powerful attacking duo but in the end proved to be inexperienced and ineffective.

The reality is that both of these young players have been handed tremendous responsibilities by manager Sven-Göran Eriksson and the Mexican federation, who immediately want to thrust them into the higher echelons of the sport.

In the Premier League, Vela has enjoyed a slow, but constant amount of playing time for Arsenal in all competitions, most specifically in the Carling Cup where he has delivered his goals and best performances. On the other hand, Dos Santos abandoned Barcelona for a move to Tottenham Hotspurs where his playing level has drastically fallen, and with the departure of coach Juande Ramos was left on the outskirts of the London-based club.

Also, Nery Castillo experienced worse luck in England than his counterparts. Castillo was virtually rubbed-off the map by Manchester City manager Mark Hughes, does not play, and continues to suffer the consequences of an unfavorable contract which has him bound to Shakhtar Donetsk. However, in the few days of activity Castillo experienced with Chivas and El Tri back in early November, he demonstrated that talent does not fade and all he needs is to find regular playing time in 2009 to reclaim his spot on the national team.

In Spain, Deportivo forward Omar Bravo has had difficulty in finding regular playing time, but he enjoys the embrace of the Riazor faithful who constantly cheer for him and anxiously await the moment when he bursts into the spotlight as their goleador.

In Germany, Ricardo Osorio has experienced a dramatic drop in his playing level with Stuttgart due to injuries and the unexpected reality of El Tri in qualification. Also, Aarón Galindo quickly won a starting spot on Eintracht Frankfurt’s defense earlier this season, but after a club suspension he has spent more time on the bench. In recent weeks, Galindo has been linked with a possible return to the Mexican league.

In the Netherlands, Carlos Salcido continues to be an important player for PSV, but a few weeks ago declared his dissatisfaction with club manager Huub Stevens. Since then he has indicated that he has put that behind him and is dedicated to continue defending the PSV colors. Teammate Franciso ‘El Maza’ Rodríguez has enjoyed some minutes on the pitch, but has failed to secure his spot in the starting formation and in most cases is left without any participation.

In Turkey, ‘El Tano’ Antonio De Nigris ended the year without activity due to health problems. De Nigris has mentioned on numerous occasions that he does not have a good relationship with the Ankaraspor manager, who he has failed to convince with goals and performances. ‘El Tano’ understands the managers preference towards domestic players and is awaiting news regarding his future in Turkish football.

Making A Name
The Mexicans Abroad section aims to mention all those players who have made it their struggle to earn a spot and ply their trade in any league of the world.

While these players remain virtually unknown and don’t have as many followers as the aforementioned, they have quietly earned the respect and consolidated themselves on their respective clubs.

Some of the most prominent participants of the year:

In Spain, 18-year old Jonathan Dos Santos has captained Barcelona’s Juvenil ‘A’ to the first spot of the División de Honor Juvenil with hopes of soon making the jump to Barça Athletic. Juan Seguro has had good participation with Segunda “B” side Real Unión, who commandingly eliminated Real Madrid from the Copa Del Rey. Also, women’s national team goalscoarer, Maribel Domínguez, continues to shake the nets with Euromat L’Estartit of the Superliga Femenil.

Also in Europe, Anjuli Ladrón de Guevara became the first Mexican goalkeeper to play in Europe. In her short time on Ukrainian side WFC Naftokhimik, the 22-year old earned player of the match honors in both the Women’s UEFA Cup and in the Ukraine Premier League.

In the Americas, Rodrigo Prieto had a successful first season in Venezuela netting eight goals for Carabobo FC which earned him a move to Venezuelan powerhouse Caracas FC, where he will participate in the Copa Libertadores 2009. Also, manager Carlos de los Cobos led El Salvador to the Hexagonal round of World Cup qualification.

Closer to home, after solid performances in the playoffs Diego Jiménez participated in the MLS Cup final with New York Red Bulls. The 22-year old will return to the Mexican league with Tecos for the upcoming Clausura 2009. Also, 40-year old veteran Claudio Suárez continued to demonstrate class and category on Chivas USA, and teammate Francisco Mendoza has attracted the interest of Chivas del Guadalajara coach Efraín Flores. Mendoza is currently training with the Tapatío side.

--César García covers México for Goal.com.
Contact him with any questions or comments at: cesar.garcia@goal.com.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook

Thank you for your comment!

Please enter your name

Please enter your location

Please share your comment!