Despite recent struggles, the glory days were remarkable, and the players who led Mexico over the last 25 years are celebrated
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There’s a growing fear among Mexico fans: will the glory days ever return? El Tri has historically won continental titles and competed fiercely in the Americas, despite a repetitive cycle of early World Cup exits.
The group-stage elimination in the 2022 World Cup and ongoing disappointments in major tournaments have led to a revolving door of managers and players, as El Tri searches for a star to regain its status as a top team in the region and among the world’s elite.
The glory days were truly remarkable, however, and the figures who led Mexico then are still celebrated. Many remain in the sport, either pushing Mexico forward on the field or taking on roles in coaching and management.
No matter their current station, there were many players to celebrate over the past 25 years, starting just after Mexico’s 1999 Confederations Cup triumph. GOAL is on hand to rank the top 25…
25Paul Aguilar
The author of one of the most memorable goals in CONCACAF history, a stunning volley in extra time of a CONCACAF Cup contest that served as the play-in for the Confederations Cup, Aguilar had an underrated career with El Tri.
While goals weren’t his specialty – he scored only four others besides the CONCACAF Cup winner – earned more than 50 caps and was the locked-on right-back starter in the 2014 World Cup cycle – also appearing in the 2010 tournament in South Africa after emerging as an option with Pachuca.
Since his exit from the national team, Mexico has struggled to find the same consistency at the right-back spot.
Advertisement24Jonathan dos Santos
Though less famous than his brother, Dos Santos made significant contributions to the Mexico national team, making double-digit appearances for El Tri in 2015, 2017 and 2021 on the road to 58 international appearances. He also played a key role in the 2019 Gold Cup triumph.
His ability to protect the back line and distribute accurately after winning the ball back also helped Mexico in a pair of World Cup qualification cycles.
While he never reached the heights of Gio in the international game, Jona is still playing with América and may have a better argument as the better player on the club level. When it’s all said and done, Dos Santos’ passion for his country and national team came through under multiple managers.
Getty Images Sport23Ramon Morales
Known for his tremendous left-footed free kicks, Morales was more than just a set-piece specialist for Mexico.
Yet, his set pieces were pretty great. He scored six times for Mexico in 64 caps, and just two were from dead balls, but both were stunners. The best, a long-range effort in the 2004 Copa América that went straight into the upper 90, lifted El Tri to its first-ever win over Argentina in an official match. The other was in another historic win, with Mexico beating Brazil in the 2007 Copa América.
Beyond that, Morales was a dangerous attacker out wide but partnered well with other attackers, whether it was Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Sinha or other midfield threats. That’s why he played all four matches in the 2002 World Cup and saw two appearances in 2006.
AFP22Maza Rodriguez
Often overshadowed by his center-back partners, there’s a reason Francisco Javier Rodríguez, better known as "Maza" thanks to his Sinaloa hometown Mazatlán, was able to assemble a professional career that stretched 17 years – 11 of those including appearances for the Mexico national team.
In fact, Rodriguez’s consistency at the center-back position led to more than 100 caps for Mexico, notably playing every minute at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. He worked well with Rafa Marquez, Carlos Salcido, and other partners at the back as his 6-foot-4 frame complemented them well. He boosted Mexico’s aerial defending in a way that was missed as soon as his international career ended with a Gold Cup win in 2015.
