MEXICO NATIONAL TEAM
Atlas star Julián Quiñones set to be eligible for Mexico: when could he make his debut for El Tri?
The Colombian-born forward has won four Liga MX titles and the Concacaf Champions League but has never played for his home nation.
The Mexico national team’s forward line could soon be bolstered by an unexpected new face. According to Gibrán Araige of TUDN, Colombian attacker Julián Quiñones has begun the naturalisation process so that he can become a Mexican citizen, which would make him available for selection for Tri head coach Diego Cocca.
When could Quiñones be available for Mexico?
The Atlas front man has spoken in the past about his interest in representing Mexico having failed to receive a call-up from his home nation. If everything goes as it should, the 26-year-old could soon be eligible to pull on the green jersey, with the international break in September a realistic target for a possible debut.
Quiñones and Cocca’s winning formula at Atlas
Should it eventually come to pass, Quiñones would be reunited with Cocca, who he thrived under in Guadalajara. In their first year working together, the pair linked up to win back-to-back Liga MX titles in the Apertura 2021 and Clausura 2022 tournaments.
Clausura 2023 goalscoring form
In the recently-finished Clausura 2023, Quiñones finished as second top scorer on 12 goals, two behind current Mexico striker Henry Martín, a tally which included eight goals in five matches between matchday 12 and matchday 16. Atlas qualified for the end-of-season playoffs via the reclassification/repechaje round but were defeated by city rivals Chivas in the quarter-finals.
In addition to the success he has enjoyed with Los Rojinegros, Quiñones also won two Liga MX titles during his time with Tigres, as well as the Concacaf Champions League in 2020. The attacker made 13 appearances for Colombia’s under-20 team but has never featured for the senior side.