Mexico at Copa América: Twice Runners-Up, North America’s Top Team Aims for Glory

Leisu Sports brings you a series of profiles on the 16 teams competing in this Copa América, and today we focus on Mexico, the all-time powerhouse in Central and North America, known for their intricate skills and seamless teamwork.

Mexico Team Overview:

Mexico has long been the dominant force in Central and North America. They have won the prestigious Gold Cup (and its predecessor) a record 12 times. In the 2023 Gold Cup, Mexico advanced through the group stage, eliminated Guatemala and Jamaica in the knockout rounds, and secured the title with a 1-0 victory over Panama.

In the World Cup, Mexico is considered a second-tier powerhouse. As hosts in 1970 and 1986, they reached the quarterfinals. From 1994 to 2018, Mexico advanced to the Round of 16 in every tournament, tied with Brazil as the only nations to do so, but they were knocked out at that stage each time.

Mexico has also been a regular participant in the Copa América from 1993 to 2016, finishing as runners-up in both 1993 and 2001. They have also frequently competed in the FIFA Confederations Cup, winning the title in 1999.

The team’s total squad value stands at €222.5 million, making them the seventh-highest among the participating teams. Ahead of them are Brazil (€1.26 billion), Argentina (€856.2 million), Uruguay (€481.6 million), USA (€347.3 million), Colombia (€287.3 million), and Ecuador (€228.75 million).

Five players in the Mexican squad have a valuation of at least €10 million, with Hirving Lozano topping the list at €45 million, followed by Edson Álvarez at €35 million, and three others—Jesús Sánchez, Julián Quiñones, and Carlos Vela, all valued at €10 million.

Head Coach & Key Players:

Coach Leads Squad to Gold Cup Victory; European-Based Stars Bear Scoring Responsibilities

The manager of the Mexican team is Gerardo Martino, who took charge on June 20, 2023. He has led the team in 18 matches, securing a record of 9 wins, 3 draws, and 6 losses. Martino has previously won the Liga MX championship (2016-17 season) and the 2023 Gold Cup.

The goalkeeping options consist solely of Liga MX players, with the most experienced being 33-year-old Julio César González. The defense includes European-based players Jesús Sánchez, César Montes, and Héctor Herrera, with the latter’s role at Genoa making him a key figure.

The only Mexican midfielder playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues is Edson Álvarez, who plays for West Ham United and is the most valuable midfielder at €35 million. He will play a crucial role in driving the team’s attack.

The standout forward is Feyenoord’s Raúl Jiménez, who scored 26 goals and provided 8 assists in 49 games this season. Jiménez will be relied upon to lead the scoring charge for Mexico.

Copa América History:

From 1993 to 2016, Mexico participated in all ten editions of the Copa América, often displaying strong performances.

In 1993, they made their debut, finishing third in their group with two draws and one loss. They advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and went on to reach the final after defeating Peru and Ecuador, before losing 2-1 to Argentina in the final.

In 2001, Mexico finished second in their group and defeated Chile and Uruguay in the knockout stages, reaching the final where they lost 1-0 to hosts Colombia, matching their best-ever result.

Mexico did not participate in the 2019 and 2021 Copa América tournaments, but returned for this edition.

Outlook for the Copa América:

In Group B, alongside Ecuador, Venezuela, and Jamaica, Mexico should progress without much difficulty. Their main objective will be to top the group to avoid facing the defending champions, Argentina, in the quarterfinals. If they finish first, a semi-final berth seems achievable; if they finish second, they could face an early exit against Argentina in the Round of 8.

Final Squad List:

Goalkeepers: Julio César González (Pumas), Raúl Gutiérrez (Chivas), Alfredo Talavera (Santos Laguna);

Defenders: Luis Montes (Almería), Isrrael Reyes (Club América), Jesús Gallardo (Monterrey), Bryan González (Pachuca), John Vásquez (Genoa), Orbelín Pineda (Chivas), Jorge Sánchez (Porto), Brian García (Toluca)

Midfielders: Luis Chávez (Dinamo Moscow), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Jodi Córdova (Monterrey), Luis Romo (Monterrey), Pineda (AEK Athens), Érick Gutiérrez (Pachuca), Álvarez (West Ham), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul)

Forwards: Henry Martín (América), Rogelio Funes Mori (América), Santiago Giménez (Feyenoord), José Juan Macías (Cruz Azul), Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo), José Juan Vargas (Pumas), William Agudelo (América)

Group Stage Schedule & Venues:

June 22: Mexico vs. Jamaica – Houston
June 26: Mexico vs. Venezuela – Inglewood
June 30: Mexico vs. Ecuador – Glendale