'Very difficult years ahead' - Former Club America star Miguel Layún launched strong criticism toward current Liga MX setup

During his appearance at Sports Summit México, former Mexican international Miguel Layún sat down with the FOX Sports Radio panel to discuss the current state of Liga MX, the vision of Club América under André Jardine, and the challenges facing Mexican football as a whole.

Layún didn’t hold back in voicing his concerns about what he sees as a misguided path for Liga MX, especially when it comes to drawing parallels with the MLS business model. “There’s this idea of trying to ‘Americanize’ our football,” Layún said. “But we don’t have the U.S. market. We’re not MLS - we didn’t grow out of the NFL, MLB, or NHL system, where the franchise model thrives and fans show up for the spectacle and entertainment.”

When asked about his expectations for the future of Mexican football, Layún pointed to what he believes is a growing identity crisis within the league. He warned that if changes aren’t made soon, Liga MX could be headed for difficult times.

“We don’t seem interested in globalizing our league,” Layún said. “Liga MX is a deeply local product with solid financial foundations. That’s great in the short term - but it also means we don’t care if a fan in Spain or South America wants to watch our league like they watch the Argentine or Brazilian championships.”

According to Layún, this inward focus is having real consequences: Mexican players are struggling to gain international exposure, talent development is lagging, and youth systems are underfunded. “It’s getting harder and harder to produce top-level players,” he noted. “And we’re not investing enough in proper player development. If this continues, I see tough years ahead for Mexican football.”

With 72 caps for the national team and appearances in two World Cups (2014 and 2018), Layún’s voice carries weight, and his message was clear: Liga MX needs a new direction before it’s too late.

Mexico is currently hosting the Sports Summit, an event that brings together some of the most influential figures in the sports industry -particularly at the executive level - to discuss the present and future of the business.

Former players like Miguel Layún, as well as Miguel Ángel Gil, CEO of Atlético de Madrid, and various high-ranking executives from Mexican football were among the notable attendees at the event.

The ongoing debate around promotion and relegation in Liga MX - on pause in recent years - continues to draw strong opinions from key figures in the sport.

Speaking at a recent event, Gil, CEO of Atlético de Madrid and representative of Atlético de San Luis, highlighted cultural contrasts between Europe and Mexico in his remarks.

“It’s a cultural matter,” Gil said. “In Europe, there’s no room for removing the drama and emotion that promotion and relegation bring. In Mexico, while there's tradition, the commercial appeal of the U.S. market clearly influences decisions.”

Tigres sporting director Mauricio Culebro offered a more measured take.

“I’m not completely opposed,” he said, “but I don’t think the current conditions are right.”

Culebro stressed the importance of structural reform, particularly the centralization of commercial rights, as a prerequisite for reintroducing promotion.

“If we can achieve centralization, promoted teams will have more resources and be more competitive. That’s fundamental,” he noted.

He also acknowledged the controversial option of promotion through franchise purchases.

“Promotion via franchise acquisition could be valid, as long as clubs meet and maintain league standards.”

On April 17, 2020, then-president of Liga MX and the Ascenso MX, Enrique Bonilla, announced the suspension of promotion and relegation in Mexican football until 2025.

The decision, which covered a period of five years or 10 seasons - from Guardianes 2020 to Apertura 2025 - was met with significant controversy. The move sparked a wave of criticism and backlash from fans who condemned the fact that teams from the "second division" would no longer have the opportunity to compete in the top flight of Mexican football.