“The Liga MX format doesn’t allow players to go to Europe”

Although the number of Mexican players moving to Europe in recent years appears to align with the average, it remains striking to hear the view from those born and trained overseas, who are surprised there aren’t more.

In an interview with Línea de 4, Atlético San Luis coach Guillermo Abascal spoke about how the Liga MX model is perceived – at least from his Spanish-rooted perspective – and why it may be limiting the number of Mexican players reaching the European stage.

Mere statistics: few teams, few Mexicans

“It’s the format. From what I’ve seen from the outside and over a long time – I played with a few Mexican players and followed their careers – Mexican football has a lot of talent, a huge population, and the ability to produce players. But if the format restricts you, in the end fewer players will emerge,” he said.

“For a country this big, the format should open the door for many more footballers to raise the competitive level of Mexican football. I think it’s limited because there are only 18 teams. A country with so much capacity could have many more top-level clubs competing,” he added.

He also praised youth systems and talent development programs, pointing to them as examples for partnerships and exposure abroad. “I think Mexico could produce even more, and I’d love to see it. There’s immense talent here, with academies and youth systems that work very well. If that becomes more globalized or extended to more clubs, Mexican football will grow even stronger,” he concluded.

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