The 15 best Mexican footballers of all time – ranked

Mexico has long been a powerhouse in both regional and global football, producing some of the sport's most influential and talented players. From legendary strikers to versatile defenders and iconic goalkeepers, Mexico’s footballing history is filled with figures who have left an indelible mark.

In fact, the nine-time CONCACAF Gold Cup winners (a record) have produced some of the game's most iconic and influential players. In this slideshow, we rank the 15 best Mexican footballers of all time based on their achievements, statistics and influence both domestically and internationally. Let’s explore the stars who have shaped Mexico’s football legacy!

Salcido was a versatile and dependable player who excelled in both defence (centre-back and left-back) and holding midfield during his illustrious career. During his time in Europe with PSV Eindhoven, he helped the Dutch club secure multiple league titles. For Mexico, he was part of the victorious 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad and represented his country in three World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014). However, his biggest success came during the 2012 Olympics in London, where he helped Mexico to gold.

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Galindo is one of Mexico’s most technically skilled midfielders. Over his illustrious 22-year career, 'El Maestro' scored an impressive 151 goals in 697 appearances, a remarkable tally for a central midfielder. Known for his vision, precise passing and incredible free-kick ability, Galindo played for some of Mexico’s biggest clubs, winning four Liga MX titles with Guadalajara, Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul. Internationally, he earned 65 caps for the Mexican national team, including playing a vital role in the 1994 World Cup squad. His composure under pressure and ability to dictate the tempo of games earned him a lasting reputation as one of his country's all-time greats.

Ramírez was a pivotal figure in Mexican football during the 1990s, winning multiple Liga MX titles with Chivas and Club América. Renowned for his tactical intelligence, Ramírez was meant to be one of the best Mexican players since Hugo Sánchez, but various injuries threatened to derail his career several times. While that didn't stop him from representing Mexico in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, it probably did cost him his big move to Europe.

Thanks to his fearless approach and knack for scoring in crucial moments, Luis Hernández remains one of Mexico’s most iconic strikers. 'El Matador' cemented his place in history with standout performances in the 1998 World Cup, where he scored four goals, including a brace against South Korea. His domestic career included successful stints with clubs like Tigres UANL, where he was a prolific scorer in Liga MX. With his charismatic personality and clinical finishing, Hernández became a symbol of Mexico’s attacking flair during the 1990s.

Vela is one of Mexico’s most talented and technically gifted players, renowned for his creativity, flair and, above all, longevity. After mixed success in English, Vela's club career took off in Europe with Spanish side Real Sociedad, where he became one of their all-time leading scorers (73 goals) and helped the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League. After that, he became a mainstay in Major League Soccer as a standout star with Los Angeles FC, setting records and winning the MVP award in 2019 after a 34-goal season. While his international career has been less consistent, Vela’s contributions during tournaments like the 2018 World Cup, where he was instrumental in Mexico's historic 1-0 group-stage victory over Germany, highlight his quality.

Ochoa has become synonymous with outstanding goalkeeping performances for the Mexican national team. A five-time World Cup participant (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022), Ochoa is best remembered for his heroic displays in the 2014 and 2018 tournaments, where his incredible reflex saves earned global recognition. Domestically and abroad, he has enjoyed a successful club career, too, playing for top teams such as Club América, Málaga and Standard Liège, where he won the Belgian Cup in 2018. Ochoa’s reputation as a clutch performer under pressure has cemented his place as a fan favourite.

Guardado has been a steady and influential figure in Mexican football for over two decades. The versatile and industrious midfielder has represented Mexico in five consecutive World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022), underscoring his longevity and consistency. He also enjoyed long-lasting success in Europe with the likes of PSV Eindhoven and Real Betis, winning multiple league titles. As Mexico’s most-capped outfield player (180), Guardado is celebrated for his ability to lead by example on the pitch.

Nicknamed 'El Zorro del Desierto,' Borgetti was one of Mexican football's most aerially-dominant and prolific strikers. With 46 international goals, Borgetti held the record as Mexico's all-time leading scorer until Javier Hernández surpassed it. He shone in the 2002 World Cup, most notably with a stunning header against Italy in the group stage, which is considered one of Mexico’s greatest World Cup moments. At club level, he excelled with Santos Laguna, scoring over 200 goals (three golden boots) and winning two Liga MX titles.

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'The Emperor,' as he was known, made an incredible 177 appearances for the national team, just three short of the record for Mexico’s most-capped player. Suárez was a defensive pillar during three World Cup campaigns (1994, 1998 and 2002) while, domestically, he enjoyed success with clubs like Pumas and Chivas, contributing to their championship victories with his leadership on and off the field.

Herrera has been a linchpin in Mexico’s midfield for over a decade, combining tactical intelligence with a tireless work ethic. He made his mark internationally as a key figure in Mexico’s 2012 Olympic gold-medal-winning team and has since represented his country in three World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022). At club level, Herrera achieved significant success with Porto, winning two Primeira Liga titles and establishing himself as one of the league’s best midfielders. Later, he brought his experience to Atlético Madrid, where he helped secure the La Liga title in the 2020–21 season.

Campos revolutionised the role of a goalkeeper with his unique style and flair. With his self-designed, brightly coloured kits and fearless sweeper-keeper approach, Campos was as entertaining as he was effective. He represented Mexico in two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 1998), earning a reputation as one of the standout goalkeepers of his era. Incredibly, at club level, Campos also made for an effective striker. He would sometimes start a game in goal and then go up top later in the match. This saw him score 35 goals throughout his career, the majority coming for Pumas.

'Chicharito' is one of the most recognisable Mexican players of the modern era. His career has been defined by his knack for scoring crucial goals, particularly during his time at Manchester United, where he won two Premier League titles. Chicharito is also Mexico’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 52 international goals to his name, per Transfermarkt. His club career has seen him play in some of the world’s most competitive leagues, including La Liga with Real Madrid and Sevilla, the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, and MLS with LA Galaxy in his later years.

Named after the last Aztec emperor, Cuauhtémoc Blanco was the face of Mexican football in the 1990s and early 2000s. His flamboyant style and creativity on the pitch, including his unique 'Cuauhtemiña' trick (trapping the ball between his feet and jumping through opposing defenders), delighted fans. A deep-lying forward, Blanco represented Mexico in three World Cups (1998, 2002 and 2010) and, at club level, he enjoyed a successful career with Club América, winning multiple domestic titles and becoming a fan favourite thanks to his fiery personality and competitive spirit.

Sánchez is often celebrated as the greatest Mexican footballer of all time. His incredible goal-scoring ability earned him legendary status, particularly during his time at Real Madrid. Sánchez won the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga’s top scorer an astonishing five consecutive times from 1984 to 1989. He was a key part of Real Madrid's dominance in the 1980s, helping the club secure multiple La Liga titles and European honours. For the national team, Sánchez scored over 40 goals and represented Mexico in four World Cups. His acrobatic finishes and clinical precision in front of goal cemented his place as one of the best strikers in football history.

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The best defender in Mexican football history, Márquez, whose career spanned more than two decades, achieved unparalleled success at both club and international levels. Márquez represented Mexico in five FIFA World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018), an accomplishment matched by only a handful of players worldwide. At club level, meanwhile, he was a key figure in FC Barcelona's golden era, winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League multiple times between 2003 and 2010. Known for his leadership and tactical intelligence, Márquez captained both Mexico and Barcelona, solidifying his reputation as a true legend of the game.