One of the most outspoken critics of the national setup is Hugo Sánchez – arguably the greatest Mexican to ever play in Europe, a five-time Pichichi winner with Real Madrid. The legendary striker believes that Mexican federation leaders have halted the country’s football growth by withdrawing from Copa América and Copa Libertadores competitions.
Getty Images SportSánchez blames executives, not the players
Mexico’s recent struggles with the senior team and the U20 squad’s elimination from the World Cup at the hands of Argentina have once again exposed the deep-rooted crisis in Mexican football. For Hugo Sánchez – regarded as the greatest player in the nation’s history – the blame lies not on the pitch but in the boardroom.
“The focus is wrong. It’s not about the coach or the players; it’s about those who run the federation and the national team,” Sánchez said on ESPN. “The executives have made bad decisions, as they often do in Mexican football. We were competing at a high level when we played in Copa Libertadores, Copa América, and Copa Sudamericana. But they decided to step away, and that’s when our level started to drop.”
AdvertisementAFPReturn to South American competitions?
Mexico’s absence from South American competitions has stretched nearly a decade. The last time Liga MX clubs participated in the Copa Libertadores was in 2016, when Pumas, Toluca, and Puebla represented the country. Chivas and San Luis were the last Mexican sides to play in the Copa Sudamericana, back in 2008.
Since then, Liga MX and MLS have joined forces in regional tournaments under CONCACAF's umbrella, competing in events such as the Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup – a move that, while financially successful, has also limited Mexican clubs’ exposure to South America’s highest level of competition.
AFPNo longer among top teams in Americas
The former Real Madrid striker believes El Tri is no longer among the 10 best national teams in the Americas. He also questioned head coach Javier Aguirre’s confidence and the team’s mentality ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which Mexico will co-host alongside the United States and Canada.
“The team doesn’t look convinced,” Sánchez added. “Aguirre seems unsure, and that insecurity shows on the pitch.”
Getty Images SportWhat comes next?
Despite the criticism, Mexico still has time to adjust before the World Cup. Following Tuesday’s friendly against Ecuador in Guadalajara, El Tri will face Paraguay and Uruguay in November, with potential high-profile clashes against France and Portugal in March, and a match against Argentina in June.