Introduction
Alejandro Zendejas has become one of Liga MX’s brightest stars in a short span, rapidly increasing his market value by 133% during his time with Club América. His crucial role in the club’s quest for a record-breaking fourth consecutive title has not gone unnoticed. However, his achievements remain off the radar of Mexico’s national team, the Selección Mexicana.
Background and Rise to Fame
Born in Ciudad Juárez in 1998, Zendejas acquired US citizenship around the age of 13 due to his father’s work in El Paso, Texas. He went through various youth development systems in the US and represented them at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile 2015. Zendejas shared memorable moments with future US national team players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Haji Wright.
Switching Allegiance
Zendejas officially switched his international soccer allegiance from Mexico to the United States in March 2023, just before América’s successful run in the short tournaments (Apertura 2023, Clausura 2024, and Apertura 2024) under coach André Jardine. His performance has only improved since then, with his market value rising from 3 to 7 million euros, according to Transfermarkt.
Impact and Controversy
Zendejas’ contributions to Club América have been widely appreciated by fans, but his decision to play for the US instead of Mexico has sparked debate. Former América player and youth team coach for the Mexican national team, Raúl ‘Potro’ Gutiérrez, stated that players make personal decisions and should not be judged.
“Alex has adapted and changed according to what he’s encountered. Whether he plays for the US or Mexico, his impact would be similar; he’s a good player, and schematic preferences shouldn’t define a good player. He could play for any national team in the world, as he’s demonstrated,” Gutiérrez explained.
Zendejas’ Performance and Career Progression
Since joining América in the Clausura 2022 tournament, Zendejas has become the sixth-highest scorer in América’s short tournament history with 36 goals, tying Raúl Jiménez. He is also the sixth-best scorer in América’s Liguilla history with eight goals, just one shy of entering the top five alongside Gonzalo Farfán (19 goals, the current record holder).
Despite standing at only 1.70 meters, Zendejas generates 1.2 goal-scoring opportunities per game through his dribbling skills and playmaking abilities, reminiscent of shorter yet successful offensive players like Rodrigo ‘Pony’ Ruiz and Antonio Naelson ‘Sinha’ in Liga MX.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Alejandro Zendejas? Alejandro Zendejas is a Mexican-born soccer player who acquired US citizenship at age 13. He has become a key figure for Club América in Liga MX, rapidly increasing his market value and contributing significantly to their recent success.
- Why is Zendejas’ situation controversial? Zendejas switched his international allegiance from Mexico to the United States, causing debate about whether he could have contributed to the Selección Mexicana. His former coach, Raúl ‘Potro’ Gutiérrez, emphasized that players make personal decisions.
- What are Zendejas’ achievements with Club América? Zendejas has scored 36 goals in short tournaments, tying him with Raúl Jiménez as the sixth-highest scorer. In Liguilla history, he ranks sixth with eight goals, just one goal away from entering the top five scorers alongside Gonzalo Farfán.
- How has Zendejas’ game evolved? After experiencing inconsistency across various Mexican clubs, Zendejas matured through his experiences, adapting to the Mexican soccer landscape and honing his skills. Former coach Raúl ‘Potro’ Gutiérrez highlighted Zendejas’ growth in terms of winning duels and understanding the game.
