European stars ‘invade’ Liga MX

European players have woken up to Liga MX and Mexican soccer. The domestic league is finally becoming an attractive proposition for European talent as more and more Mexican clubs sign European players.

In one year, Liga MX went from having 11 Europeans to 23 for this 2025 Apertura. Is the co-hosting of the 2026 World Cup a possible factor? Aaron Ramsey became the latest high profile player to make the move as the Welshman joined Pumas one year before the World Cup as he looks to be in contention with the Wales team at the biggest event in global football next summer.

Household names such as Sergio Ramos and James Rodríguez lead the way with Spain contributing the highest number of players plying their trade currently in Liga MX.

Spain’s dozen

Twelve Spaniards play in the Mexican top flight with Sergio Ramos, Sergio Canales, Oliver Torres, and Ávaro Fidalgo being the main stars.

Fidalgo is the most valuable Spaniard in Mexico. According to Transfermarkt, the América player is currently worth nine million euros. Canales follows with six million euros, while Sergio Ramos is valued at 1.2 million euros.

Portugal and France profile

After Spain, Portugal is the country with the second most players in Mexico. Three Portuguese players play for Liga MX clubs. Paulinho is the most recognized for his performances with Toluca, while William Carvalho recently arrived at Pachuca.

French players take the form of Gignac and Sébastien Salles-Lamonge.

The European legion in Liga MX

Spain

• Álvaro Fidalgo | America
• Sergio Canales | Monterrey
• Oliver Torres | Monterrey
• Rubén Duarte | Pumas
• Unai Bilbao | Xolos
• Francisco Villalba | Santos
• Sergio Ramos | Monterrey
• Roberto Suárez | Atlas
• Raúl Sánchez | Necaxa
• Juan Ramírez | Atlético San Luis
• Óscar Whalley | Chivas (also Mexican)
• Guillermo Ruiz | FC Juárez (also holds Mexican, American, and Uruguayan nationality)

Portugal

• Paulinho | Toluca
• William Carvalho | Pachuca
• Ricardo Oliveira | FC Juarez

France

• Sébastien Salles-Lamonge | Atlético San Luis
• André Pierre Gignac | Tigres

Italy

• Joao Geraldino | Atlético San Luis

Belgium

• Frank Boya | Xolos

Montenegro

• Uros Djurdjevic | Atlas

Wales

• Aaron Ramsey | Pumas

Poland

• Mateusz Bogusz | Cruz Azul

Greece

• Georgios Giakoumakis | Cruz Azul

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