Best Mexican Players in History: Mexico, a country known for its passion for soccer, has produced several remarkable players who have made their mark not only at the national level but also on the international stage. In this article, we celebrate the careers of 10 Mexican players who have left a lasting impact on world soccer.
Best Mexican Players in History
While Mexico has faced challenges in achieving success on the global stage, often being unable to advance past the round of 16 in World Cups since hosting the tournament in 1970 and 1986, the country has excelled in the CONCACAF region. Mexico has emerged as the most successful team in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, having won the tournament a record 11 times.
In this ranking, we highlight 10 players who have played a significant role in Mexico’s rise as a soccer powerhouse. These players have not only shaped the history of Mexican soccer but have also made a significant impact on prestigious European clubs.
It’s important to note that this ranking is subject to debate, and we welcome your opinions and reactions. Feel free to share your thoughts on who you believe should be included or who you consider the greatest player in Mexican soccer history. Let’s engage in a respectful and exciting discussion on this fascinating topic!
10. Carlos Hermosillo
- Full Name: Carlos Manuel Hermosillo Goytortúa
- Date of Birth: 24 August 1964
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
- Position(s): Forward
Carlos Hermosillo, a talented soccer player, holds the tenth position in our top rankings. He was born on August 24, 1964, in Veracruz, Mexico. Throughout his career, he made remarkable contributions to Mexican soccer and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in its history. Playing in the Mexican first division for many years, he became the second-highest scorer in the league.
When we look at Hermosillo’s time playing for the Mexican national team, we can also appreciate his impressive performance. He holds the fifth position on the list of top scorers for the national team, having scored a total of 34 goals in 90 matches.
International Stats:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1984–1997 | 90 | 34 |
9. Claudio Suarez
- Full Name: Claudio Suárez Sánchez
- Date of Birth: 17 December 1968
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
- Position(s): Centre-back
In our ninth place, we have Claudio Suárez, a former Mexican player who excelled as a central defender. He began his career in 1989 with the Pumas de la UNAM and retired in 2010 while playing for Chivas USA.
What makes Suárez deserving of this position on our list is his remarkable performance with the Mexican national team. He holds the record for the most appearances, having played a total of 177 games. One of his notable achievements was winning the Confederations Cup in 1999 with the Mexican team, which brought him great joy and pride.
International Stats:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1992–2006 | 177 | 7 |
International Honours:
| Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 1999 |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup | 1993, 1996, 1998 |
8. Luis Hernandez
- Full Name: Luis Arturo Hernández Carreón
- Date of Birth: 22 December 1968
- Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Luis Hernández, ranked eighth on our list of Mexican players, had a remarkable soccer career. Born in 1968 in Veracruz, he exceeded everyone’s expectations and made a significant impact on Mexican sports history. He holds the record for being the top scorer for the Mexican national team in World Cup matches, although he never won the tournament.
Luis Hernández, commonly known by his nickname “El Matador,” played professionally for teams in Mexico, Argentina, and the United States. Despite never venturing outside his continent, he is held in high regard and remembered fondly within the country. His impressive goal-scoring abilities contributed to his position as the fourth-highest scorer in the national team, with a total of 35 goals in 85 games.
International Stats:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1995–2002 | 85 | 35 |
International Honours:
| Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| FIFA Confederation Cup | 1999 |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup | 1996, 1998 |
7. Jared Borgetti
- Full Name: Jared Francisco Borgetti Echavarría
- Date of Birth: 14 August 1973
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Jared Borgetti, our seventh-ranked player, was born in Sinaloa in 1973 and made his sporting debut in 1994. From then until his retirement in 2010, he established himself as one of the finest strikers in the game. His skills were not limited to the Mexican team alone; he also brought pride to his country on the international stage.
Borgetti’s remarkable career in Liga MX, where he spent most of his time, saw him play a total of 475 games and score 252 goals. As a result, he secured the ninth position on the list of all-time top scorers in Mexican history. However, on the national team level, he holds an even more impressive record, standing in second place among the highest-scoring players.
International Stats:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1997–2008 | 89 | 46 |
International Honours:
| Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| CONCACAF Gold Cup | 2003 |
6. Jorge Campos
- Full Name: Jorge Campos Navarrete
- Date of Birth: 15 October 1966
- Height: 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
- Position(s): Goalkeeper
Jorge Campos, a goalkeeper-forward, made a significant impact in Aztec sports during the 1990s and is regarded as one of the greatest figures in Mexican sports history. Known as the “legend of the goal,” Campos was highly acclaimed for his exceptional performance as a goalkeeper. His accomplishments cannot be overlooked, as he holds the distinction of being the highest-scoring Mexican goalkeeper in the country’s history.
Campos began his sports career at the Universidad Nacional club, initially playing as a striker due to the goalkeeper position being already filled. It was during this time that he earned the title of the highest-scoring goalkeeper in the country. In his debut season, he impressively scored 14 goals. While he didn’t have many opportunities to establish himself as a goalkeeper at first, he demonstrated his natural talent for the position when given the chance.
International Stats:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1991–2003 | 129 | 0 |
International Honours:
| Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 1999 |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup | 1993, 1996 |
5. Andres Guardado
- Full Name: José Andrés Guardado Hernández
- Date of Birth: 28 September 1986
- Height: 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
- Position(s): Midfielder, winger, Left-Back
Andrés Guardado, born on September 28, 1988, in Guadalajara, is a Mexican midfielder who holds a prominent position in our ranking. What sets him apart is that he is still an active player, unlike others on this list. Currently representing Real Betis Balompié, Guardado has the potential to break the record for most appearances for the Mexican national team.
On the international stage, Guardado holds the second-highest number of caps in the history of El Tri, with an impressive 162 appearances. Along with this achievement, he has also won three Gold Cups, further solidifying his status as a remarkable player for the Mexican team. Guardado has scored 28 goals while representing the national team, earning him the eighth position on the list of all-time top goal scorers in El Tri’s history.
International Stats:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2005–2022 | 179 | 28 |
4. Cuauhtemoc Blanco
- Full Name: Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo
- Born: 17 January 1973
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
- Position(s): Forward, Attacking Midfielder
Cuauhtémoc Blanco ranked fourth on our list, is a legendary striker born on January 17, 1973, in Mexico City. He is highly revered in Mexican soccer. At the club level, he is an iconic figure for Club América and is the second-highest goal scorer in the history of the institution, with an impressive 153 goals.
On the national team stage, Cuauhtémoc Blanco stood out for his exceptional goal-scoring ability and natural talent. He represented the Mexican team 119 times, placing him eighth on the list of players with the most appearances in the team’s history. Additionally, he scored 38 goals, making him the third-highest goal scorer in the history of the Mexican national team. Cuauhtémoc Blanco also achieved success with the national team, being a part of three titles, including two Gold Cups and a FIFA Confederations Cup victory.
International Stats:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1995–2014 | 119 | 38 |
International Honours:
| Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 1999 |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup | 1996, 1998 |
3. Javier Hernandez
- Full Name: Javier Hernández Balcázar
- Date of Birth: 1 June 1988
- Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Javier “Chicharito” Hernández is a well-known and highly regarded Mexican striker in today’s soccer world. His notable career includes a significant transfer from Chivas to Manchester United, where he became part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s successful team that dominated the championship for several seasons and even reached a UEFA Champions League final.
Although his final seasons with Manchester United were less remarkable, with limited playing time in just five games over two seasons, his previous successes attracted the interest of Real Madrid. At Real Madrid, he played 33 games, scoring 9 goals and providing 9 assists. However, the club decided not to extend his loan, leading to his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.
After experiencing some challenges in Europe, Hernández achieved continental success with Sevilla, winning the Europa League. Eventually, he made the decision to join Major League Soccer (MLS) and excel in the United States, where he currently plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
On the international stage, Chicharito has represented the Mexican national team in 109 games (as of December 2020) and continues to add to this figure as an active player. He is currently the tenth player with the most appearances in the history of the national team and holds the record for being its top scorer with 52 goals. Additionally, Hernández has won two titles with the Mexican team, including a Gold Cup and a Concacaf Cup.
International Stats:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2009–2019 | 109 | 52 |
International Honours:
| Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| CONCACAF Gold Cup | 2011 |
| CONCACAF Cup | 2015 |
2. Rafael Marquez
- Full Name: Rafael Márquez Álvarez
- Date of Birth: 13 February 1979
- Height: 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Position(s): Centre-Back, Defensive Midfielder
Rafa Márquez secures the silver medal in our ranking due to his exceptional career at both the national and international levels. Born on February 13, 1979, this central defender from Michoacán left a lasting impact and is fondly remembered for his dedication and impressive style of play.
Márquez played for renowned clubs such as Atlas, FC Barcelona, Monaco, Verona, and León, leaving a significant mark at each of them. However, it was his time at FC Barcelona that truly stands out. He achieved great success, winning four league titles, three Spanish Super Cups, one Copa del Rey, two UEFA Champions League trophies, one European Super Cup, and one Club World Cup. During his tenure at the club, he was considered one of the best defenders of his era and regarded by his teammates as one of the best in history.
On the international stage, Márquez represented the Mexican national team in 148 games, currently ranking as the third player with the most appearances in the history of El Tri. Notably, he holds the unique distinction of being the only player to have participated in five World Cups throughout his career.
Furthermore, Márquez achieved success with the Mexican national team, securing four official tournament victories, including two Gold Cups, one Concacaf Cup, and a Confederations Cup.
International Stats:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1997–2018 | 147 | 17 |
International Honours:
| Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 1999 |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup | 2003, 2011 |
| CONCACAF Cup | 2015 |
1. Hugo Sanchez
- Full Name: Hugo Sánchez Márquez
- Date of Birth: 11 July 1958
- Height: 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Forward
The gold medal in our ranking goes to none other than Hugo Sánchez Márquez, widely regarded as the greatest player in the history of Mexican soccer. Born on July 11, 1958, in Mexico City, he displayed exceptional talent and skill with the ball from a young age.
Hugo Sánchez quickly stood out both at the club level and in the youth national team. He made his debut with Pumas, where he played from 1976 to 1981, winning two national titles during this period. His remarkable performances caught the attention of Atlético de Madrid, where he scored 82 goals in 152 games over four seasons and played a crucial role in their 1985 Copa del Rey triumph.
However, it was his move to Real Madrid CF that truly cemented his place in football history. In his seven seasons with the club, Sánchez scored 208 goals and played a key role in securing 10 titles, including five La Liga championships, three Super Cups, one Copa del Rey, and a UEFA Cup. He is considered one of the greatest players in the history of Real Madrid, and his goal-scoring prowess earned him five Pichichi awards, placing him among the top three players with the most Pichichis alongside Di Stefano and Quini.
On the international stage, Hugo Sánchez scored 29 goals in 57 appearances for the Mexican national team, ranking as the eighth-highest goal scorer in the team’s history.
With his incredible achievements and legacy at Real Madrid and on the national level, it is undeniable that Hugo Sánchez is the greatest player in the history of Mexican soccer and arguably one of the best in the history of the entire continent.
International Stats:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1977–1994 | 58 | 29 |
International Honours:
| Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| Pan American Games | 1975 |
| CONCACAF Championship | 1977 |
