The Next Generation of Mexican football: The new face of El Tricolor

Football is the most popular sport in Mexico. Liga MX for men is the top division competition in Mexico as of 2020. In 1943, football became a professional men's sport. Since then, Club America has won thirteen Liga MX titles, making it Mexico's most successful men's club. From the 2017-18 Liga MX Femenil season forward, Mexico's first women's professional football league was born.

New generation of Mexican soccer team

are ready to prove themselves as gems. Jonathan Gonzalez, Eugenio Pizzuto and Edson Alvarez are young stars growing into world-beaters. But these are names that are already dominating headlines on the next generation of Mexican talents.

Mexico has qualified for sixteen World Cups and has done so in a row from 1994, making it one of only six countries to have done so. Over the last seven World Cups, Mexico and Brazil are the only two teams to get past the group stage. On July 13, 1930, Mexico faced France in the first match of the first World Cup. Mexico's finest World Cup performances have been quarterfinal appearances in both the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, which were both held on Mexican soil.

Mexico appeared to boast some of the world's top players. Players like

, Manuel Negrete, Carlos Salcido, Hugo Sanchez, Jared Borgetti, Luis De La Fuente, Antonio Carbajal and Jorge Campos unfortunately are not born every day. However, there are some signs of recovery regarding

the next generation of Mexican football

, especially after the period they had at CONCACAF.

Mexico has won eleven CONCACAF titles, including eight CONCACAF Gold Cups and three CONCACAF), two NAFC Championships, one North American Nations Cup, one CONCACAF Cup, and two gold medals in the Central American and Caribbean Games.

It is one of only eight countries to have won two of the three major football events (the World Cup, the Confederations Cup, and the Summer Olympics), having won the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2012 Summer Olympics, so we intend to make a list of the top 10 best Mexican young football players 2021 that could form Mexico’s future and make the country shine.

Top 10 Best Mexican Young Football Players 2021

Football is changing; its future is upon us. Today investing in young people and above all "building them at home" must be the next step in Mexican football. For this reason, it becomes essential today to look at what can be done tomorrow and, in particular, to be able to compose "a generation Z" of players able to face the next challenges of the change implemented.

The players mentioned as

the next generation of Mexican football

are the stars of the new generation of Mexican soccer team. If you are interested in the list of the next generation of Mexican talents, keep reading.

10. Brian Figueroa

First in the list of the next generation of Mexican football. Brian Figueroa has been with the Pumas since he was 12 years old, which isn't too long in the eyes of an 18-year-old. The winger hasn't played as much as he did the last tournament with Paco Palencia under current manager (and fellow Pumas development system alumnus) David Patino, but he still has a bright future.

Figueroa was scouted at an early age and joined the Pumas junior system in 2011. He then progressed through the Pumas Youth Academy, completing U-13, U-15, U-17, and U-20. Until finally getting noticed and promoted to the first team by Francisco Palencia, the coach at the time.

Figueroa debuted in the

for the first time on July 23, 2017. He began his career with the first squad, which won 1–0 against Pachuca. He will only grow better as time goes on. He is a future star in the next generation of Mexican football.

9. Roberto de la Rosa

In Pachuca’s surprising form, Roberto de la Rosa has come into his own and made himself know as a pillar of

the next generation of Mexican talents

. Roberto de la Rosa, a professional football player from Mexico, is 21 years old and was born on January 4, 2000. Roberto de la Rosa, who was born in Texcoco, is a striker for Pachuca in Liga MX. He now has a 63 out of 99, which is 'Average-level' compared to other football players throughout the world, based on our FC Ranking and match performance analysis.

The match versus Guadalajara in Liga MX on May 10, 2021, was one of his best performances from the previous period. Pachuca won the match with a score of 4-2. Roberto de la Rosa received an 8.8 match rating from FC for his play.

The Striker scored two goals. San Luis - Pachuca (1-5), played on April 30, 2021, for Liga MX, was another outstanding match performance by Roberto de la Rosa during this time. He received an 8.6 match rating. I managed to score two goals.

Toluca vs.

(0-2) in the Liga MX on March 14, 2021. He received a 6.8 match rating. I managed to score one goal. The match against Pumas UNAM, which took place on October 27, 2020, in Liga MX, was one of his worst performances. FC gave Roberto de la Rosa a 5.2 match rating for his performance, and the match finished in a 1-1 draw.

De La Rosa made his mark in the Club World Cup with a goal against Al Jazira. At the U-17 World Cup, the nimble attacker scored twice for Mexico. De La Rosa should be able to continue to rise at a club that is known for giving young players opportunities. A big star and a member of the next generation of Mexican football.

8. Erick Sanchez

Erick Sanchez, the second-youngest Tri player at this Gold Cup (the youngest being Efraen Lvarez, 19), has played in the Mexican National Team's previous two matches on the orders of 'Gerardo Martino, according to his soccer abilities. Sanchez, dubbed "El Chiquito" by his teachers and colleagues at Pachuca, has a bright future in Europe because he plays in varied football environments and has a strong personality.

Gerardo Martino called up Erick to replace Real Betis veteran Andres Guarded, who was forced to withdraw from the Gold Cup at the last minute due to injury and has since played in the matches against

and El Salvador.

'El Chiquito' was produced in Pachuca's basic force structure, where all players are required to train and study, and at the least, to complete high school, a process that Erick Sanchez has already completed. In addition to being complete, Erick Sanchez shocks us with his traits and remarkable humility, according to Altieri: "Technically, he is perfect, he adjusts to any position on the court, and he has great mental power."

That enabled him to overcome a slew of obstacles on his route to Pachuca. Despite his youthful appearance, he was a formidable opponent. Last year, he overcame his father's death with Covid-19, and I believe his grandfather died from it as well.

Regardless, he stated that

is in beautiful spirits: "He is constantly cheerful, with an inclination to do so, and he greets everyone. Because of his strong family support, he has morals that stand out. As if it were a weekend game, competition, the training is pursued with zeal." Keep an eye on Mexico’ largest asset in the next generation of Mexican football.

7. Diego Lainez

Diego Lainez is the most recent Mexican teenager to make the switch from Club America to European games, joining

in La Liga in the middle of last season. Lainez has shown amazing talent despite the few minutes he has gotten thus far, both in the second part of last season and up until the current season before the break.

Real Betis is coached by Rubi, who prefers a 4-1-4-1 formation with two wingers capable of going forward in possession of the ball and concentrates on getting the ball back quickly when it is lost. Diego Lainez is a constant presence on the flanks, appearing in 13 games for Betis this season, including 12 games on both flanks, demonstrating his versatility. In this season's heat map, we can see where Diego tends to operate on the wings, which can tell us more about his movement and posture.

If we only looked at Diego's offensive abilities in terms of numbers, we'd be doing him a disservice because he has excellent offensive skills but does not play much or even get substantial game minutes. We may, however, remark that his good location in the last third assists the offensive team.

Because of his playing style and ability to maneuver in the final third, Diego Lainez may still turn into one of the most significant players in his team's patterns of play when it comes to creating goalscoring chances, as we witnessed in this scout report. But he also has to concentrate on a few things that will help him improve his offensive talents while also adding to the team's defensive capabilities.

Diego Lainez plays with his left foot. He normally plays as a left winger, although his heat map shows that he can also play on the right side. He can play on both flanks and as an offensive midfielder, making him a highly versatile player. This season, Quique Setien has used a variety of formations. In general, he prefers to defend with three players. He has utilized three different formations: 3-5-2, 3-4-1-2, and 3-4-2-1.

Lainez has made four appearances for Betis thus far and has twice been named to the starting XI. He started as a left-winger against Girona and Espanyol. In the other two games in which he started, he was on the left flank of a two-man attacking midfield. Lainez and Canales played in tandem in both games, with Moron as the lone striker.

Joaquin, the Betis icon and veteran, is still a key player for Setien. This season, he has made 16 La Liga appearances, 10 of which have been as a starter. His boss has used him as a striker, attacking midfielder, and right-winger, among other positions. However, he has spent most of his time on the pitch as an attacking midfielder.

As can be seen, Setien like to play in a 3-4-2-1 configuration, with Lainez operating as an aggressive midfielder. In the same position as Joaquin, Lainez might very well be his replacement. Let's see how they stack up. Diego Lainez is considered as one of the stars of the new generation of Mexican soccer team.

6. Efrain Alvarez

Efrain “Efra” Alvarez was born, like many footballers in the same situation, in southern California. Growing up in a dangerous neighborhood in Los Angeles with five siblings, Efrain’s father turned the children’s concentrations on football. Once coaches and scouts began to see something exceptional in Efrain, he signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy’s USL affiliate, LA Galaxy II, shortly after turning 15.

Last season, Alvarez tallied an impressive 12 goals and three assists in 17 appearances, including two hat-tricks, and was awarded the LA Galaxy II Player of the Year award and the USL Young Player of the Year award. He also debuted for Mexico’s under-17s and scored a match-winner against

.

Now at only 16 years old, Efrain Alvarez has broken into the LA Galaxy senior side and notched an assist in his professional debut. One of the most valuable positions in North American football is the central attacking midfielder. Players in this position are often very good on the ball and play as the key creators and distributors in the attack. Efrain Alvarez fits this position almost impeccably.

His ability to read the pitch well is vital in creating quality chances for his teammates or himself, often taking advantage of spaces around the defense. Alvarez’s attacking vision is outstanding, but it is this combined with his remarkable technique that truly makes him a special player. He dribbles close to his feet, makes pinpoint passes in the final third, and has an assertive flair on the ball.

 There is little doubt that Efra is already one of the most creative, highly-skilled players to ever come out of the United States. The LA Galaxy squad is, for once, not over-crowded with attacking players, and there has been enough evidence early this season that proves Alvarez is more than ready to play consistently in the professional game. It shouldn’t be too long before we see clubs from Europe scouting him.

As for the national team, both Mexico and the United States should also be at Alvarez’s doorstep in the near future. His unique traits in this part of the world make him highly-coveted, and whichever side he chooses to represent in international football will benefit immensely. With only two full seasons under his belt at senior level, Efrain can already claim to be one of the stars of

top 10 best Mexican young football players 2021

.

5. Jose Juan Macias

The Chivas forward, who can score with either foot from beyond the box, was moved from the U-17s to the main squad in 2017 and has already made 14 Liga MX appearances. Jose Juan Macias, a striker who has been linked with PSV Eindhoven,

, and now Lille, will be on most European clubs' shortlists. He rose to prominence while on loan with Club Leon, scoring six goals in eleven games to assist the team to an unexpected top-of-the-table finish.

Interest in him grew in Europe near the end of Borussia Dortmund's Amazon documentary when a clip of him on a director's screen sparked rumors of a move to Germany. Matias Almeyda summoned the striker up to the first-team club as a 17-year-old after he progressed through the development system. He is still only 20 years old, a few months’ shy of turning 21, and it appears like a relocation to Europe this summer is in the works. Without a doubt, Macias has a special in the list of

the Mexican talents for 2021

.

4. Carlos Vargas

To understand Carlos Vargas’s journey to fame - as a member of the Mexican talents for 2021 list, it is necessary to understand how his club, America, wishes to develop players. Vargas first joined Club Tijuana's youth academy in 2014. Vargas, who was 18 at the time, was elevated by first-team coach Miguel Herrera to the team that competed in the Clausura competition that year.

Vargas made his debut against Santos Laguna on March 17, 2017. In a 1–1 draw, he began the game and played the entire 90 minutes. He appeared in twelve games for Tijuana, who finished first in the tournament and advanced to the playoff semifinals. Vargas rejoined Club America in June 2017, reuniting with boss Miguel Herrera. On July 22, he made his debut against Queretaro.

He started the game, which resulted in a 0-1 loss for his team. Vargas was called up by Diego Ramrez for the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship on October 25, 2018. He suffered an injury in Mexico's opening group stage encounter against Nicaragua, and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament.

Vargas was named to the final lineup for the Toulon Tournament in 2018. He would go on to play in all five matches as Mexico advanced to the final, where they lost 1–2 to

. Vargas was named to the final roster for 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Guatemala. As Mexico finished bottom in their group with one point, he played in two group stage matches.

3. Jonathan Gonzalez

If we are talking about new generation of Mexican soccer team, Jonathan Gonzalez should be there. The Rayados midfielder still has an outside chance of making the World Cup after filing a one-time switch to represent El Tri after suiting up for the United States at the youth level.

The 18-year-old helped Rayados to a first-place regular-season finish in the Apertura, breaking up attacks and sending long passes forward to a deadly front line. Gonzalez is a player who could make the U.S. rue its apathy toward him for years to come.

2. Eugenio Pizzuto

Eugenio Pizzuto is 19-years-old, born on 13 May 2002, and is a left-footed professional football player from Mexico. Born in San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosí, Eugenio Pizzuto has also played in Copa MX for Pachuca. He currently plays as a Defensive Midfielder in Ligue 1 for club Lille.  Born in San Luis Potosi, Pizzuto was first spotted at the age of 12 in 2013 by scout Jess Ibrom of the New Zealand-based Asia-Pacific Football Academy during open trials in the city of Monclova, Mexico.

Following his performances, Pizzuto was offered a place in the academy along with a scholarship to Scots College in Wellington. Following his time at Wellington Phoenix - where he was unable to play due to FIFA laws preventing the international transfer of minors - Pizzuto returned to

and joined the youth ranks of Pachuca in 2018.

On 21 January 2020, Pizzuto made his professional debut during a Copa MX group stage match against Ascenso MX club Venados. Four days later, Pizzuto made his Liga MX debut, coming on as a 59th-minute substitute for Franco Jara in an eventual 3-0 loss against Leon. However, just nine minutes after coming on, Pizzuto broke his fibula and dislocated his ankle after getting his foot caught on the pitch.

He was part of the roster that participated at the 2019 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, where Mexico won the competition. He was included in the Best XI of the tournament.

He was captain of the team that participated in the 2019 U-17 World Cup. Finishing runner-up against Brazil, he won the Bronze Ball of the tournament. He was included in the France Football team of the tournament.  However, Rodrygo has all the potential to make it into the list of

the next generation of Mexican football

.

1. Edson Alvarez

It is the most important player’s turn - the most significant player on the next generation of Mexican talents list. Alvarez was born to Adriana Velazquez and Evaristo Alvarez in Tlalnepantla de Baz, a municipality just north of Mexico City. He worked for his family's business, which made football shirts for local teams, as a child, which he credits as his first entry into the sport.

Alvarez tried out for the Pachuca youth squad at the age of 14, but due to his tiny stature, he did not make the club. Despite the opposition of his parents, who believed he had the talent to pursue his dream of playing professionally, Alvarez decided to try out for Club America's young team and was eventually accepted after a three-month tryout.

 He'd drive three to four hours’ round trip from his house in Tlalnepantla to the club's training field in Coapa to attend daily team practices. Alvarez's versatility, which allows him to play in a variety of positions, will undoubtedly have drew

's attention. Over the course of a season, his ability to cover both center back and right back, as well as defensive midfield, makes him vital to a squad.

During the recent Gold Cup, he was used as a number four in the middle, pinning the midfield. However, he spent most of his time for Club America as a centre-back, making 53 appearances in all, with 23 more in midfield and eight more at right-back.

's skills were on full display throughout the Gold Cup. Despite not playing his preferred center back position, Alvarez's performances were adequate to build a picture of the player he is. He was responsible for setting the tempo of the team and contributing to the first part of their assaults, dropping low between the Mexican centre backs.

When looking at Alvarez's strengths, his confidence and talent on the ball come to mind first. He can break the opposition press lines with both dribbling and passing before advancing the ball to either the Mexico wing-backs positioned high in the opponent's half or one of his central midfield teammates operating in the half-spaces.

On paper, Alvarez appears to be a player similar to De Ligt. Although they play similar games in certain ways, he will almost surely offer a new dimension to the departing skipper. While it is commonly expected that he will play on the right side of the center back two, the versatile Mexican has a number of options.

It's also possible that lining up beside Daley Blind is a wonderful match of styles. Both players are at ease on the ball, but Blind's Ajax DNA will only aid to improve Alvarez's game, while his physical features will help to mask any flaws in Blind's game. It will be exciting to see how Alvarez integrates into Ajax during the forthcoming season.

Despite the fact that he does not yet have any Ajax DNA, this research has revealed that he appears to possess a number of qualities that might and should help him succeed in Amsterdam.

It's crucial to remember that he's not only De Ligt's replacement. He has the ability to play in a variety of positions, which might make him a vital player of the team this season, so, and for this reason, no one would be surprised if we set him in the first place as a pillar of the next generation of Mexican football.

Read more: 

Follow 

 for the