2025-11-13 11:00
by
nlpkak
As a longtime football analyst with over a decade of experience covering Mexico’s national team, I’ve seen my fair share of roster surprises, controversies, and last-minute shake-ups. When it comes to selecting the final squad for a major tournament, the stakes are incredibly high—not just for the players, but for the coaching staff, the federation, and the millions of passionate fans expecting nothing less than excellence. Today, I want to walk you through who made the cut for Mexico’s upcoming tournament roster, but I also want to touch on something that’s been on my mind lately: the shadow of doping in professional sports, especially after the recent ONE Championship suspensions.
Let’s start with the roster itself. After weeks of speculation, head coach Jaime Lozano unveiled a 26-man squad that blends youth and experience in what I believe is a pretty balanced selection. In goal, we’re looking at Guillermo Ochoa, Luis Malagón, and Julio González—no real surprises there, though I would’ve loved to see a younger keeper like Carlos Acevedo get a shot. The defensive line includes Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, and Jesús Gallardo, all of whom bring solid international experience. Personally, I think Montes is one of the most underrated center-backs in CONCACAF, and his presence will be crucial if Mexico hopes to control the defensive third.
Moving into midfield, the inclusion of Edson Álvarez, Luis Chávez, and Orbelín Pineda gives Mexico a strong spine, but I can’t help but feel that Erick Gutiérrez’s omission is a missed opportunity. Up front, the usual suspects are there—Raúl Jiménez, Hirving Lozano, and Santiago Giménez—but it’s the addition of young talents like Marcelo Flores that really excites me. Flores may not start every match, but his creativity and fearlessness could be game-changers off the bench.
Now, you might wonder why I’m bringing up doping in a piece about Mexico’s football roster. Here’s the thing: integrity in sports matters, and the recent news from ONE Championship hit close to home for me. Just last month, two of their top striking stars—Kiamran Nabati and Ferrari Fairtex—were suspended after testing positive for banned substances following their bout at ONE Friday Fights 95 in January. That’s not just a headline; it’s a reminder that the pressure to perform can lead athletes down a dangerous path. I’ve spoken with trainers and players who’ve admitted how tempting it can be to seek an edge, especially when a major tournament looms.
In football, we’ve seen similar cases over the years, though thankfully not recently within the Mexican setup. Back in 2011, for example, five players from Mexico’s U-23 team were suspended for testing positive for clenbuterol—a scandal that rocked the federation and led to tighter protocols. According to one internal report I came across, nearly 12% of athletes across global sports have admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs at some point in their careers. Whether that number is entirely accurate or not, it highlights a systemic issue.
When I look at this Mexico roster, what stands out to me is not just the talent, but the character. These players have been through rigorous physical and mental testing, and the coaching staff has emphasized clean sport as part of the team culture. Still, the ONE Championship suspensions serve as a cautionary tale. Nabati and Fairtex were rising stars—much like some of the younger names on Mexico’s list—and their suspensions not only tarnish their careers but also affect their teams and fans.
From a tactical perspective, this Mexican squad is built for versatility. Lozano seems to favor a 4-3-3 formation that can shift into a 4-2-3-1 when defending leads, and the midfield trio of Álvarez, Chávez, and Carlos Rodríguez offers both stability and flair. Up front, Giménez’s form has been stellar—he’s netted 22 goals in all competitions this season—and if he carries that confidence into the tournament, Mexico could go deep. Defensively, I have some concerns about the full-backs’ pace against quicker wingers, but overall, this is a roster capable of competing with the best.
What I appreciate most about this selection is its balance. There’s experience where it counts, youth where it energizes, and a clear identity that Lozano has been cultivating since he took over. But let’s not ignore the broader context. The world of sports is under a microscope now more than ever, and incidents like the ONE Championship suspensions remind us that the line between ambition and integrity is thin. As a fan and analyst, I want to see Mexico succeed, but I want it to happen the right way—through skill, hard work, and fair play.
In conclusion, this Mexico roster has the potential to make a real impact in the upcoming tournament. With a solid mix of veterans and emerging talents, and a tactical approach that emphasizes both control and creativity, El Tri is well-positioned to challenge for the title. At the same time, let’s not forget the lessons from other sports. The suspensions of Nabati and Fairtex are a stark reminder that the pursuit of glory must never come at the cost of integrity. Here’s hoping Mexico’s campaign is remembered for the right reasons—inspiring performances, unforgettable moments, and a clean, proud representation of Mexican football.
