European dream is over!

With Hirving Lozano’s recent arrival to MLS, Mexican football is confirming its downturn and highlighting that Mexican players are going through a significant crisis when it comes to competing on the biggest stages.

The challenges for Liga MX players to move to Europe are well-known. Whether due to price, quality, or other external factors, making the move to Europe is a nearly impossible mission. Therefore, it’s disappointing to see many players returning after having secured a place there.

It’s especially noteworthy when it concerns players still in their prime and seemingly with several years left to perform in Europe. Carlos Vela joined Los Angeles FC at 29, and now Hirving Lozano at 28. In both cases, the news did not bode well for the future of Mexican football.

The lifestyle, but above all, leaving behind a family legacy, have been reasons significant enough for Mexicans to abandon the ‘European dream’. Truth be told, for several footballers, it has turned into a nightmare.

Economically speaking, the reality is that the famous ‘dream’ is not what it seems. The majority of Mexican footballers earn less in Europe than they do in Liga MX. Unless they truly establish themselves in renowned teams and leagues, the rest do not earn enough to feel financially secure for retirement.

But the real conflict arises when discussing personal and family matters. For Mexicans, it’s difficult to detach from their roots; it’s in their blood. The culture, language, climate, food, friends, and family—honestly, for us Mexicans, there’s nothing like our country and our people.

And therein lies a major part of the problem they face. Adding to this is the fact that their quality and preparation may not be sufficient to secure starting positions, turning the experience into a form of torment. They are far from home, earning less than they could in their own country, and on top of that, they may not even be playing.

But that’s the real challenge. Succeeding at the elite level entails significant sacrifices, and the truth is, many of our players are not willing to make them. There are few brave souls who try, but even fewer who don’t give up at the first hurdle.

And we can agree that in Hirving Lozano’s case, “giving up” is not a fitting term. He succeeded in the Netherlands and Italy, practically winning every tournament he competed in. But this makes it even harder to accept that even those who do well decide to return. Who are we to judge what someone should do? Let’s put ourselves in their shoes. Footballers who have dedicated their entire lives to the sport, most of whom don’t have a fallback career or the experience to generate income after retirement. Adding to this, they are individuals who typically don’t enjoy a social life, finding peace for themselves and their families in the United States.

The truth is that for any of us, receiving a multimillion-dollar contract and living in San Diego or Los Angeles sounds like a great idea. But this is where the difference between simply existing and truly transcending is marked.

The MLS and Liga MX offer so many privileges and advantages that those who refuse them are the ones who can truly make a difference.

For this reason, players like Raúl Jiménez, Guillermo Ochoa, Orbelín Pineda, Johan Vázquez, César Montes are cases that should be appreciated. They have all the opportunities in these leagues with significantly higher contracts, yet they have chosen to remain in Europe.

Enduring relegations, heavy defeats, moving from one city to another, or even from one country to another, but remaining faithful to their convictions and goals.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

In an ideal world, it would be best if Jaime Lozano had 15 players in Europe, but we are far from that. Therefore, despite the bad news, there are always opportunities to be seized.

With all their selected players nearby, and with the most important World Cup for the country in the last 30 years on the horizon, it is necessary and urgent to do things differently if you want different results.

The FMF’s management has been very good, ensuring that Mexico stays home until the quarterfinals if they manage to top their group. Yesterday, it was also announced that the Tricolor will be staying at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento located south of Mexico City.

In other words, there are many circumstances in their favor that cannot be wasted. As Ricardo Antonio Lavolpe did at his time, it’s time for clubs and the national team to work hand in hand.

With the players close by, they should resume what Lavolpe did in that process where he gathered the players every 2-3 weeks to work for at least a couple of days on important aspects and thus arrive better prepared for the World Cup.

If Mexican football truly wants to transcend, it needs everyone. And if the national team and clubs don’t work together as they have done in the last 30 years, the result will be the same. Each director looks out for their own good, and no one is willing to sacrifice for the common good.

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