How the big four clubs still shape El Tri before the World Cup
Mexico’s national team returns to action this weekend to face Portugal and Belgium in the final international window before the World Cup begins.
Of the 26 players called up by Javier Aguirre, 18 either currently play for or came through the academies of Liga MX’s traditional “big four.”
Chivas leads the way, providing the largest contingent to Aguirre’s squad. Eight players in the roster either currently play for or previously featured for the Guadalajara club. Those names are Raúl Rangel, Richard Ledezma, Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutiérrez, Armando González, Orbelín Pineda, Alexis Vega, and Guillermo Martínez.
Club América is next with seven players who have ties to Coapa: Guillermo Ochoa, Israel Reyes, Raúl Jiménez, Julián Quiñones, Erick Sánchez, Jorge Sánchez, and Álvaro Fidalgo.
Pumas contributes just two players – Erick Lira and Jesús Gallardo – while Cruz Azul is represented by a single name, Carlos Rodríguez.
Seven players from América have played for Coapa: Guillermo Ochoa, Israel Reyes, Raúl Jiménez, Julián Quiñones, Erick Sánchez, Jorge Sánchez and Álvaro Fidalgo.
From Pumas, only two players are in this selection: Erick Lira and Jesús Gallardo, while from Cruz Azul, only Carlos Rodríguez is in this call-up to the Tricolor.
Five of the selected players have worn the colors of more than one of these clubs, underlining the overlap among Liga MX’s elite sides. They are Orbelín Pineda (Chivas–Cruz Azul), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas–Cruz Azul), Guillermo Martínez (Chivas–Pumas), Jorge Sánchez (América–Cruz Azul), and Erick Lira (Cruz Azul–Pumas).
Among the full squad, only seven players have never played for any of the four major Liga MX teams. That group includes Germán Berterame (Inter Miami), Denzell García (FC Juárez), Obed Vargas (Atlético de Madrid), Jesús Angulo (Tigres), Everardo López (Toluca), César Montes (Lokomotiv), and Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna).
Related stories
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.
Complete your personal details to comment