'They should be in Europe' - Mexico legend Hugo Sánchez criticizes mentality of Toluca's Alexis Vega and Club America's Henry Martín

As Toluca and América gear up for the Clausura 2025 Final, two of Liga MX’s top performers - Alexis Vega and Henry Martín - are drawing both praise and criticism from Mexican football legend Hugo Sánchez.

Speaking on ESPN, the former Real Madrid striker acknowledged the impressive form of both players. Vega has racked up 12 goals and 10 assists this tournament, while Henry Martín is on the verge of claiming his fourth consecutive league title with Las Águilas. Yet Sánchez believes their success in Mexico masks a larger issue: a lack of ambition.

“It saddens me that Alexis Vega and Henry Martín aren’t playing in Europe, achieving bigger and more meaningful things than what they’re doing in Mexican football,” said Sánchez.

“Mexican football shrinks you—it doesn’t elevate you. What makes you great is proving you can be one of the best in the continent and the world. And they’ve settled for being among the best in Mexico.”

Sánchez didn’t hold back when addressing Martín directly.

“Henry, why are you satisfied with just being a champion with América? If you were to win something with Real Madrid or Barcelona, it would be like winning ten times with América. You have to aim higher. You have to transcend.”

While Vega and Martín remain crucial figures in the domestic league, Sánchez's comments reignite the ongoing debate about Mexican players seeking challenges abroad—and the mindset required to get there.

Both players have been among the most consistent in Mexican football in recent years—so much so that they were starters for Mexico at the 2022 World Cup.

Comfort? Mediocrity? The conversation around the lack of Mexican talent in Europe is far from over and will continue to spark debate.

Sánchez, during his time at Real Madrid, scored a total of 208 goals in 282 official matches. The Mexican striker also won five La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, three Spanish Super Cups, and one UEFA Cup with the club. Additionally, on an individual level, he was the top scorer in La Liga (Pichichi) four times and also won the European Golden Shoe once.

The first leg of the final will be played this Thursday at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, while the return leg, which will determine the new champion, will take place on Sunday at the Nemesio Diez.