This Mexican World Cup star is poised to return to Liga MX
Orbelin Pineda is set to make his comeback to the Mexican league game, reuniting with Matías Almeyda at Monterrey.
One of Monterrey’s long-standing ambitions is finally set to become reality: Orbelín Pineda is on the verge of joining Rayados.
The Mexican midfielder has been on Monterrey’s radar for at least the past two years under the front office led by José Antonio Noriega, but a deal never materialized.
Now, during the current transfer window, with Dennis te Kloese serving as club president and Matías Almeyda at the helm as the new head coach, the pursuit of Pineda was reignited and has finally reached a successful conclusion.
Reunited with Almeyda in Monterrey
Pineda, a recent World Cup participant with the Mexican national team, is well known to Almeyda and was a priority target for the coach as he begins his new project in Nuevo León. The two previously worked together at both Chivas Guadalajara and AEK Athens.
It is from the Greek club that Pineda now arrives. He spent the last four years with AEK, accounting for virtually his entire European career after a brief, six-month stint with Celta Vigo in Spain.
The 30-year-old is set to make his return to the league where he began his professional career with Querétaro, before going on to play for both Chivas and Cruz Azul. He captured Liga MX titles with each club, establishing himself as one of Mexico’s premier midfielders before making the move to Europe.
When will Pineda’s transfer be confirmed?
The signing is expected to be officially announced in the coming days once the paperwork is completed and the final details are formalized, although all parties have already reached an agreement. Pineda would be Monterrey’s second signing ahead for the Apertura 2026 tournament, following the earlier addition of the Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi.
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