Top 12 Mexicans to Play in Europe Since 2000
Karla Villegas Gama@karlitsv
Featured ColumnistFebruary 26, 2015Top 12 Mexicans to Play in Europe Since 2000
Mexico has exported some of its best footballers to Europe. Some of them hardly ever play, others have claimed the starting position and made a real impact on the pitch.
From Rafael Marquez, who won everything there was to win with Barcelona, to Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who had a short stint with Real Valladolid, this ranking includes the footballers who have had the best accomplishments and performances in Europe in the last 15 years.
We also included some honorable mentions—those players who were outstanding with the national team and in the local league, but didn't shine with the same intensity overseas.
Let's take a look at these outstanding footballers and don't forget to let us know your picks in the comments section.
Honorable Mentions
Gerardo Torrado: He debuted with UNAM in 1997, but left the country after three years to join Tenerife. He also played for Poli Ejido, Sevilla and Racing Santander. He scored once, with Tenerife, and appeared a total of 127 times before returning to Mexico to join Cruz Azul (2005).
Cuauhtemoc Blanco: In 2000, America loaned Blanco to Real Valladolid. Blanco couldn't perform like he used to since he suffered a devastating injury in a World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago that sidelined him for almost a year. Overall, he put the ball away three times.
Jared Borgetti: After a superb performance in the 2005 Confederations Cup, Borgetti joined English club Bolton Wanderers. He was the first Mexican to play in the Premier League, where he scored twice in 19 appearances. Overall, he played 32 times and netted seven goals.
12. Giovani dos Santos
Age: 25
Position: Attacking midfielder/forward
Clubs in Europe: Barcelona B, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Ipswich Town, Galatasaray, Racing Santander, Mallorca and Villarreal (current)
The oldest of the Dos Santos brothers, Giovani, arrived in Europe when he was a kid to join Barcelona’s La Masia.
He soon proved to be a talented footballer and was promoted to the senior squad at age 18.
After leaving the Blaugrana, he had a rough period in England, as he hardly ever played for Tottenham Hotspur. It wasn't until he returned to Spain that he received playing time.
Ever since, Giovani dos Santos has become a key element in Villarreal's attack. Last season, he netted 11 times in 31 appearances, recorded eight assists and sent 38 key passes.
In the current tournament, he has started nine games and been subbed on in eight. He has created 18 goal opportunities, 83 percent of them through the center of the pitch.
His dribbling skills and speed come in handy when he steps into the box.
11. Guillermo Ochoa
Age: 29
Position: Goalkeeper
Clubs in Europe: Ajaccio and Malaga (current)
Guillermo Ochoa is the only Mexican goalkeeper who has played in a European first division league.
When he left the country, at age 26, he was already the starting goalie in Liga MX club America. He was also a regular with El Tri.
His performance with Ajaccio earned him the Best Player award in his first two seasons; in that period he helped the team stay in Ligue 1 despite their results (they finished 16th and 17th, respectively).
Ochoa's efforts weren't enough and ultimately Ajaccio left the French first division, which also led to the Mexican's departure.
His stellar performance in the 2014 World Cup helped him find another club. Malaga reached out to the Mexican, who signed a three-year contract, per the Daily Mail.
Ochoa has yet to play in La Liga, but he has made several key saves in the Copa del Rey.
10. Hector Herrera
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Clubs in Europe: Porto (current)
Hector Herrera's career in Europe has been brief—he joined Porto in 2013—but he has proved to belong.
The former Pachuca footballer proved his worth in the 2012 Toulon Tournament, where he received the Best Player honors and helped Mexico secure the title.
His creativity and toughness were key for El Tri during the 2012 Summer Olympics, which they also won.
Herrera left Pachuca after two years as an undisputed starter in the Liga MX. He joined the Dragons and quickly showed his abilities in the midfield.
In his debut season, he appeared 17 times and scored three goals in the Primeira Liga. He also played in the UEFA Champions League, where he completed 86 percent of the passes he sent.
This year, Herrera has been instrumental in the Champions League. He has put the ball away twice and has created six opportunities, including three assists.
The Porto midfielder was the only Mexican who appeared in the Guardian's top 100 footballers of 2014.
9. Andres Guardado
Age: 28
Position: Midfielder
Clubs in Europe: Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen and PSV (current)
Andres Guardado is one of the footballers who has left Mexico at a younger age. He arrived in Deportivo La Coruna in 2007, at age 21.
By that time, his transfer was the most expensive in history for a Mexican footballer, as the Spanish club paid six million dollars, per MedioTiempo.com (in Spanish).
But Deportivo's lack of consistency sent them straight to the second division. Guardado stayed with the club, and he even helped them return to La Liga in the 2011/12 season.
However, he was eventually sold to Valencia, where he appeared 32 times and scored once in his debut season.
In the following tournament, he created 13 goal opportunities and completed 82 percent of the passes he sent. However, the team decided to loan him to German side Bayer Leverkusen, per Fox Sports.
Six months later, Guardado found himself as a starter in the 2014 World Cup, which was instrumental in sealing a one-year loan with PSV.
So far, the left midfielder has appeared 18 times, 17 of those as a starter. He is yet to score, but has completed 689 passes (83 percent).
8. Francisco Rodriguez
Age: 33
Position: Defender
Clubs in Europe: PSV and Stuttgart
Current club: Cruz Azul
Francisco Rodriguez caught the attention of PSV in 2008 and eventually signed a three-year contract with the club, per Terra (in Spanish).
In that time, he secured the Johan Cruijff Shield (2008) and became a key piece in the club's back line. In his first season, he spent a lot of time on the bench, but little by little he proved to be a reliable center back.
Rodriguez appeared 81 times and scored four goals with the Peasants. In 2011, he joined Stuttgart for three years, per Goal.
Although he didn't win a single title while in Germany, Rodriguez set himself as one of the best Mexican defenders of his generation.
He locked the starting position with El Tri and made the 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads.
7. Ricardo Osorio
Age: 34
Position: Midfielder
Clubs in Europe: Stuttgart
Current club: Queretaro
In 2005, Mexico made quite an impression in the Confederations Cup. Ricardo Osorio's power through the center of the pitch and the right flank set him as a valuable asset.
No wonder why Stuttgart kept a close trail on him and after the 2006 World Cup offered him a four-year contract, per Mexican newspaper El Universal (in Spanish).
In that period, Osorio polished his skills and started to play in the center of the box, as well as a libero. He turned into a flexible defender who gave solutions and diversity to the squad.
Osorio secured a Bundesliga title in the 2006/07 season, in which he appeared 27 times and scored once.
Little by little, he began to play less and finally decided to return to Mexico, where he joined Monterrey.
6. Hector Moreno
Age: 27
Position: Defender
Clubs in Europe: AZ Alkmaar and Espanyol (current)
Hector Moreno joined UNAM when he was 15 years old. He quickly proved his worth and was promoted to the senior team three years later.
After four seasons with Pumas, Moreno left for AZ Alkmaar, becoming the first Mexican to play for the team. It was in the 2008/09 tournament that he showed his potential.
The center back started 15 games thanks to his hunger, fine touch and ferocious style of play. In the following season, he locked the starting position.
After four seasons in the Netherlands, he joined Spanish club Espanyol, where he has been playing since 2011.
Moreno is currently one of the best Mexicans abroad. Despite suffering a fracture during the 2014 World Cup, he returned to his old self in five months and reappeared in La Liga Matchday 14.
He was linked with several clubs during the past transfer window, especially with Tottenham, per the Daily Mail.
5. Pavel Pardo
Age: 38
Position: Midfielder
Clubs in Europe: Stuttgart
Current club: retired
Pavel Pardo had been playing in Mexico for 13 years, and it seemed that he was going to stay in the country until his retirement, but along came the 2005 Confederations Cup and the 2006 World Cup, which would change his life forever.
Pardo, a strong and ferocious central midfielder, had fine touch and creativity, which caught Stuttgart's attention quickly.
He joined the club in 2006, after the World Cup, and became an undisputed starter in the first two seasons he spent in Germany. His third year was a bit shaky, and he ultimately returned to Liga MX side America.
Pardo secured the Bundesliga title in the 2006/07 season, in which he scored once in 33 appearances. He also appeared four times in the Champions League, and scored once against Rangers, per UEFA.com.
4. Carlos Salcido
Age: 34
Position: Defender
Clubs in Europe: PSV and Fulham
Current club: Guadalajara
Like Pavel Pardo and Ricardo Osorio, Carlos Salcido's performance in the 2005 Confederations Cup and 2006 World Cup earned him a contract in Europe, with Dutch club PSV.
Salcido was the first Mexican to play for PSV (then came Francisco Rodriguez and Andres Guardado). His speed through the left flank was instrumental in giving the club depth, while his toughness set him as one of the best defenders of the Eredivisie.
With the Peasants, he won two league titles (2006/07 and 2007/08) and a Johan Cruijff Shield (2008). After four years he moved to Fulham, per PSV.com.
However, his time in the Premier League wasn't successful, and he returned to Mexico to play for UANL.
3. Javier Hernandez
Age: 26
Position: Forward
Clubs in Europe: Manchester United and Real Madrid (current)
Javier Hernandez had a dream-like debut season. He went to win the Community Shield and the Premier League with Manchester United. Plus, he played the final showdown of the Champions League.
Sir Alex Ferguson's stellar sub seemed to be on the right track, until David Moyes took over and hardly ever used the Mexican.
Ultimately, Louis van Gaal loaned Chicharito to Real Madrid, despite his scoring record with the Red Devils: 59 goals in 154 appearances. Hernandez also received the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award (2010/11).
With Los Blancos, the Mexican has only made 17 appearances, but has taken advantage of every minute he has received and has already four goals to his count, including a brace against Deportivo La Coruna.
His knack for goalscoring has also been key when playing for El Tri. He has scored 29 times since he left for Europe; he is currently the third best Mexican scorer, with 38 goals.
2. Carlos Vela
Age: 25
Position: Forward
Clubs in Europe: Arsenal, Celta de Vigo, Salamanca, Osasuna, West Bromwich and Real Sociedad (current)
Carlos Vela's performance in the 2005 U17 World Cup earned him a contract with Premier League club Arsenal. However, he spent a lot of time on loan, until Real Sociedad bought him in 2012, per Daily Mail.
It's with the White and Blue that the Mexican has made a real impact on the pitch. So far, Vela has appeared 148 times, has scored 55 goals and has made 33 assists.
The Mexican was nominated for La Liga Best Forward award, after scoring 16 goals and making 12 assists in 34 appearances last season.
Vela has been instrumental in Real Sociedad's offense. He helped the squad reach the 2014 Champions League, after scoring twice in the playoff versus Lyon.
He has been awarded the Player of the Month honors twice, in December 2013 and November 2014.
1. Rafael Marquez
Age: 36
Position: Defender
Clubs in Europe: Monaco, Barcelona and Hellas Verona
Rafael Marquez is without question one of the best Mexican footballers ever. The center back has spent most of his career in Europe as an undisputed starter.
Marquez established himself as one of the best defenders in the world with Barcelona, where he secured four La Liga titles, three Supercopas de Espana, two Champions Leagues, one Copa del Rey, one UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.
But his success with the Blaugrana wasn't a stroke of luck. Marquez had already excelled with Monaco, where he spent four seasons and hoisted three trophies: Ligue 1, French League Cup and Champions' Trophy.
He was also awarded the Best Defender honors in his debut season with the Red and Whites, per CNN.
After four years (New York Red Bulls and Leon), Marquez returned to Europe, this time with Serie A club Hellas Verona.