Introduction
The Liga MX Apertura 2025 season has set a new record with 21 players from Europe, distributed across 14 of the 18 teams. This development reflects a shift in perspective towards Mexican soccer, as European players bring their high-level experience to the league.
The Rise of European Players in Liga MX
Historically, Mexican soccer has included European players. However, the stringent demands of European football and lucrative offers from the United States and the Middle East have made it challenging for optimal-age, high-performing European players to join Liga MX.
This season, though, the landscape looks different. The average age of these 21 European players is 30 years, indicating they are not coming to retire but to contribute actively.
“High-Level Competition”
Mayela Reyna, a customer success analyst at StatsBomb, explains to El Economista that Liga MX offers a unique competitive experience compared to the top 5 or 8 leagues worldwide, where only a few teams typically dominate.
“In Liga MX, you can see a new champion every six months, playoffs (Liguilla) are held, and nothing is predetermined. This attracts ambitious players eager to keep winning trophies, lead their teams, and know they can achieve this in any club,” Reyna says.
She also highlights that the language, playing style, and comfort of Mexico have drawn more attention than leagues like those in Saudi Arabia or MLS, where other top-tier players have been seen recently.
Notable Cases
Recent high-profile signings include French player Allan Saint-Maximin, who joined América and scored two goals in his first few matches (though not as a starter). Aaron Ramsey from Arsenal and Juventus joined Pumas, while William Carvalho, a Euro 2016 champion with Portugal, moved to Pachuca.
Sergio Ramos joined Monterrey, Paulinho went to Toluca, and Joao Pedro arrived at Atlético de San Luis. These players have experience in top European leagues like LaLiga, Serie A, and the Premier League but now form part of Liga MX’s roster.
“These are players with experience in one or more top European leagues, some having played competitions like the Champions League. They seek to keep contributing their quality in a competitive league without the wear and tear of top-tier football, allowing them to unleash their creativity and make more independent decisions,” Reyna explains.
Tactical Insights
Regarding three notable signings—Allan Saint-Maximin, William Carvalho, and Joao Pedro—Reyna offers tactical observations:
- Allan Saint-Maximin: During his time at Newcastle in the 2022-23 season, Saint-Maximin significantly contributed to attack using his dribbling and ball control. He was an effective winger, entering the penalty area over five times per 90 minutes and boasting an xG (expected goals) assisted rate of 0.33 per 90 minutes.
- William Carvalho: Despite limited playing time last season due to an early-season injury with Betis, Carvalho still managed to make an impact in the final third more than six times per 90 minutes, surpassing the average of central defensive midfielders in LaLiga.
- Joao Pedro: Although born in Brazil, Joao Pedro was called up by Italy’s national team in 2022 following the naturalization process. His arrival from England’s League Two, coupled with experience in Turkey, Italy, and Brazil, brings numerous qualities. He is an efficient central striker who can utilize the area effectively with or without possession, pressing centrally in the final third over 18 times per game and delivering more than 10 crucial passes in the same zone with Hull City.
Joao Pedro leads the Liga MX scoring chart after seven Apertura 2025 matches, showcasing his quick adaptation despite not being in a star-studded team.
Values and Contributions
Of the 21 European players in Apertura 2025, nearly half (9) joined this summer. Spain has the most representatives with 11 players, while Monterrey and Atlético de San Luis each have three. Seven countries are now represented: Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Wales, and Montenegro.
Economically, European players dominate the valuation list, with Saint-Maximin topping it at €13 million, followed by Ángel Correa (Tigres) and Alexis Vega (Toluca) at €10 million each. Four European players, including Álvaro Fidalgo (€9), Paulinho, and Mateusz Bogusz (€7.5 million), are in the top 10.
Cultural and Labor Contributions
What can European players contribute to Mexican soccer in terms of culture and work ethic?
“In my opinion, European players are more creative and precise, displaying more audacity, creativity, and effectiveness. Effectiveness comes from experience, trying and testing different things,” Reyna concludes.
Tigres has been a recent pioneer in bringing European players to Mexico, starting with their all-time leading scorer, André-Pierre Gignac, a French World Cup participant from Sudáfrica 2010.
What was once a rarity a few decades ago—having European players in club rosters—has become increasingly common. Not only are Spanish players common, but multiple nationalities have demonstrated their quality in Mexican soccer, such as Montenegro’s Uros Djurdjevic, who won the Clausura 2025 golden boot with Atlas.
