Santi Giménez criticises lack of professionalism in Liga MX: what did he say?

Mexico striker Santi Giménez has criticised the work ethic of soccer players in the country’s domestic game, declaring that there is a much greater degree of professionalism in Europe.

What did Giménez say about Mexican soccer?

Giménez, who left Liga MX giants Cruz Azul for Dutch club Feyenoord in 2022, told an interview with the Mexican broadcaster Jorge van Rankin: “Here [in the Netherlands], being professional is normal. We’re all professional.

“In Mexico, there aren’t that many players who are professional - and they’re the ones who are the difference-makers.

“Here, just being professional isn’t enough; you have to be professional, and more besides. Everyone is really professional; they eat, drink and sleep football. They get in [for training] at eight or nine o’clock in the morning and leave at three o’clock in the afternoon.”

Giménez, 22, has enjoyed a successful spell in the Netherlands, scoring 47 goals in 80 appearances for Feyenoord. In 2022/23, his 15 league goals helped the Rotterdam team to their 16th domestic title.

Giménez sights set on 2026 World Cup

A second-half substitute in Mexico’s CONCACAF Nations League final defeat to the US on Sunday, Giménez has struggled to establish himself as a regular in his country’s starting XI.

And having missed out on El Tri’s squad for the 2022 World Cup, he is desperate to earn his place at the 2026 tournament, which Mexico is to co-host alongside the US and Canada.

“It hurt, not getting to go [to the 2022 World Cup],” Giménez said. “I’m a proud Mexican, and when you have a World Cup on home soil - well, not every player gets to experience that. For a soccer player, there’s nothing more special than representing you country.”

Since making his senior international debut in October 2021, the Argentina-born striker has made a total of 25 appearances for Mexico, scoring four times.