'The top Mexican players, when Chivas comes calling, now hesitate' - Mexico legend Hugo Sánchez dives into Rojiblancos' struggles

For Hugo Sánchez, a legend of both Real Madrid and the Mexico National Team, playing for Chivas no longer guarantees a successful career in Mexican football. According to the Pentapichichi, “The top Mexican players, when Chivas comes calling, now hesitate,” he said during an appearance on ESPN, where he currently works as an analyst.

“From a sporting perspective, there have been poor decisions that have derailed a club as big and historic as Chivas. When Fernando Hierro came in, it looked like something serious was finally being done, but that project eventually fell apart. They’ve tried to replicate it since, but haven’t been able to get it right. Chivas should be home to the best Mexican talent, but the front office hasn’t had that special ability - that pull - to convince those players to come. Now, given the club’s current form, players really think twice. There was a time when you just didn’t say no to Chivas.”

Hugo’s comments come at a time when, in recent years, several analysts and experts have questioned Chivas’ ability to attract the best available Mexican players. While some top talents now aim for a move to Europe, others have chosen to sign with clubs like América, Cruz Azul, Tigres, Monterrey or MLS teams instead of joining El Rebaño.

In recent years, Chivas have seen several of their most talented players leave the club after failing to deliver results, only to thrive elsewhere. The team has also struggled to get the most out of experienced, high-profile signings, many of whom have failed to perform at the expected level. More and more, players are beginning to think twice before joining El Rebaño.

Names like Alexis Vega, Uriel Antuna, Alejandro Zendejas, and César Huerta didn’t shine at Chivas as expected, but have since become key stars for their respective teams. Even homegrown talents like Jesús Orozco, who did make an impact at Chivas, have been transferred out. Meanwhile, a new generation of Mexican talent - including Erick Sánchez, Diego Lainez, Sebastián Córdova, and Carlos Gutiérrez - is flourishing at other Liga MX clubs.

As Sánchez said, there was a time when no one would dare say no to Chivas. Now, players think twice.

Big-name players like Alan Pulido, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, Erick Gutiérrez, Víctor Guzmán, Alan Mozo, Roberto Alvarado, and Luis Romo were unable to lead Chivas to the Liguilla in the Clausura 2025. So, the question is: did these players underperform, or is there a deeper issue within the club that needs to be addressed at the root in order to restore its greatness?

"The feeling a striker has when they're left on the bench in a crucial match is one of overwhelming helplessness. He voiced his frustration, and because of that, he didn’t play. The frustration of warming up and not being able to help your teammates is tough," said Hugo Sánchez, showing empathy toward Hernández after he was left out of Chivas' final match of the Clausura 2025.

Eliminated from the Clausura 2025 and without a coach, the Red and Whites will have a month of vacation that started this Monday. They will also have to face MLS teams in the Leagues Cup, which will begin at the end of July.