The Major European Leagues kick off their 2024-2025 season this weekend, highlighting the minimal presence of Mexican players, with only 7 Aztecs participating across competitions such as the Premier League, Serie A, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Eredivisie, and Ligue 1.
The representation of Mexicans in the leading leagues of The Old Continent during the 2024-2025 season stands in stark contrast to the three nationalities that contribute the most players to these competitions. According to Transfermarkt, that includes 86 Brazilians, 73 Argentinians, and 31 Americans.
It is important to note that these figures may change due to the closure of European transfers on August 30th, meaning many players could switch teams. This could potentially apply to Santiago Giménez, who is expected to leave Feyenoord for a more competitive league.
What leagues do Mexicans play in Europe?
The league with the most Mexicans registered so far for the 2024-2025 season is the Premier League, which includes three players: Edson Alvarez (West Ham), Raul Jimenez (Fulham), and Julián Araujo (Bournemouth).
Next is the Eredivisie, where Santiago Giménez plays for Feyenoord, along with Hirving Lozano at PSV. However, it should be noted that Giménez might transfer to another team and league before August 30, while Lozano will leave the club in December to embark on a new venture with San Diego FC in MLS.
In LaLiga, there is only one Mexican player, Athletic Bilbao’s goalkeeper Alex Padilla, who made his debut for the club at age 26 on Thursday. However, his position as a starter is not assured, given the injuries to the first and second-choice goalkeepers.
In Serie A, Johan Vasquez is the only Mexican playing for Genoa, starting his fourth season there and having experienced relegation twice. Meanwhile, leagues such as the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 currently lack any Mexican representatives.
Which nationalities dominate the main European leagues?
According to Transfermarkt, Brazil is the country contributing the most players to the six major European competitions, with a total of 86 footballers. The Premier League leads with 30 Brazilians, followed by Serie A (15), Ligue 1 (15), LaLiga (14), Bundesliga (8), and Eredivisie (4).
Argentina is the second nation providing the most players to these competitions, with 24 in Spain, 22 in Italy, 16 in England, 5 in France, 4 in the Netherlands, and 2 in Germany.
The United States is the third country from our continent with 31 players in top European leagues, featuring 8 in Bundesliga, 8 in Eredivisie, 6 in Serie A, 4 in Premier League, 3 in Ligue 1, and 2 in Spain.
Players from the American continent in the top leagues of Europe
- Brazilians: 86
- Argentinians: 73
- Americans: 31
- Uruguayans: 26
- Colombians: 17
- Canadians: 9
- Ecuadorians: 7
- Mexicans: 7
- Paraguayans: 6
- Jamaicans: 6
- Chileans: 5
- Venezuelans: 3
- Peruvians: 2
- Costa Ricans: 2
- Panamanians: 1
Other Mexicans in minor leagues
In the second-tier competitions of European football, there are additional Mexican players, such as Luis Chavez at Dynamo Moscow, Antonio Portales at Dundee FC in Scotland, and Orbelin Pineda and Rodolfo Pizarro with AEK in Greece, where it is noteworthy that Pineda is on Monterrey’s radar for a potential repatriation.
Additionally, Rodrigo Huescas signed with Copenhagen in Denmark this summer, after leaving a legal dispute with Cruz Azul, which initially blocked his emigration.
Mexican Players in Major European Leagues for the 2024-2025 Season
As the 2024-2025 season kicks off this weekend, major European leagues reveal a stark reality for Mexican players. Only 7 Aztecs are participating in top tournaments such as the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, Eredivisie, and Ligue 1. This low representation highlights a significant disparity compared to players from other nations, notably Brazil with 86 players, Argentina with 73, and the United States with 31 players dominating the scene.
Mexican Player Distribution Across European Leagues
The majority of Mexican talent in the major leagues for the upcoming season can be found in:
- Premier League: 3 players
- Eredivisie: 2 players
- La Liga: 1 player
- Serie A: 1 player
- Bundesliga: 0 players
- Ligue 1: 0 players
Premier League
The Premier League currently boasts the highest number of Mexican players, with:
- Edson Alvarez – West Ham
- Raul Jimenez – Fulham
- Julián Araujo – Bournemouth
Eredivisie
In the Eredivisie,:
- Santiago Giménez – Feyenoord (might transfer before August 30)
- Hirving Lozano – PSV (set to join San Diego FC in December)
La Liga
In La Liga, Alex Padilla serves as the sole Mexican ambassador, recently making his debut at Athletic Bilbao. His starting position remains uncertain due to injuries affecting the first-choice goalkeepers.
Serie A
In Serie A, Johan Vasquez represents Mexican interests at Genoa, embarking on his fourth season despite past relegations.
Comparison with Other Nationalities in Major European Leagues
The contribution of players from various American nations shows a pronounced hierarchy:
| Country | Number of Players | Leagues |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 86 | Premier League, Serie A, Ligue 1, La Liga, Bundesliga, Eredivisie |
| Argentina | 73 | La Liga, Serie A, Premier League, Ligue 1, Eredivisie, Bundesliga |
| United States | 31 | Bundesliga, Eredivisie, Serie A, Premier League, Ligue 1, La Liga |
| Mexicans | 7 | Premier League, Eredivisie, La Liga, Serie A |
Minor Leagues and Emerging Talent
Besides the major leagues, several Mexican players are making their mark in lower-tier European competitions:
- Luis Chavez at Dynamo Moscow
- Antonio Portales at Dundee FC (Scotland)
- Orbelin Pineda and Rodolfo Pizarro with AEK (Greece)
- Rodrigo Huescas recently signed with Copenhagen (Denmark)
These players represent the new wave of Mexican talent seeking opportunities abroad, demonstrating resilience and ambition to succeed on the European stage.
Future Prospects and Trends for Mexican Players in Europe
As the transfer window remains open until August 30, the possibility for more Mexican players to join major leagues exists. Players like Santiago Giménez are likely to make a move to more competitive environments, which could significantly alter their careers. The performance and visibility of Mexicans in these leagues will be crucial for the future of Mexican football
Benefits of Mexican Players in European Leagues
The presence of Mexican players in European competitions not only benefits the individuals but also enhances the global perspective of Liga MX. Offsetting the low numbers, a successful campaign could lead to broader Mexican representation and interest from international clubs, raising the profile of Mexican football significantly.
Conclusion
The current representation of Mexican footballers in major European leagues remains low compared to their counterparts from other nations. However, with the transfer window still open, opportunities for growth and increased presence in the coming seasons are highly anticipated.
