Who are the best Liga MX players of all-time? Mexican football is defined by its elite technical level of play and intense passion. A hotbed for hidden talent, the best often move to Europe.
Mexico’s top-flight of football was founded in 1943 and re-branded to Liga MX in 2012. Here are the ten best Liga MX players in history:
10. André-Pierre Gignac
French striker André-Pierre Gignac surprised everyone when he signed for Tigres UANL from Marseille in 2015. He’s since become the greatest ever imports Liga MX has seen and has earned football royalty status in Mexico.
Gignac would end the 2023-24 season with 334 total Liga MX appearances, 183 goals, and five championships. In the process he’s shown us all that Europe’s stars can forge a successful career outside of the continent.
9. Luis Hernández
Mexican football icon Luis Hernández, also known as “El Matador”, was known for his explosive pace and goal-scoring ability. Before gaining fame and breaking out at the the 1998 World Cup he began his career at Cruz Azul in 1990.
In 14 seasons in Mexico that was full of flair, Hernández’s best stint was at Necaxa where he scored 32 goals from 100 games, winning two titles in the process.
8. Oswaldo Sánchez
One of the best MX Liga players of all time, Oswaldo Sánchez featured in 725 games after starting his career at Atlas in 1993. He could have easily played in Europe but chose to stay in Mexico where he won four trophies.
Most of Sánchez’s career was spent at Santos Laguna. So revered is the seven-time best MX Liga goalkeeper by the club, a statue was erected in his honour at the clubs stadium
7. Andrés Guardado
Atlas youth star and Mexico’s most capped player ever Andrés Guardado started his career in Liga MX in 2005. The midfielder’s technical ability and versatility earned him a move to Europe where he starred for PSV and Real Betis.
Guardado’s ability to dictate the pace of games as well as contributing both in attack and defense earned him many plaudits, although a Mexican league title has always eluded him.
6. Luís Roberto Alves
As one of the most prolific forwards in Liga MX history, Luís Roberto Alves, also known as Zague, made his mark with Club América where he won two league titles, and the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup on three occasions.
A constant threat in front of goal, he finished his career with 209 league goals where he played for Club América, Atlante and Necaxa. He was known for his speed, dribbling, and finishing ability.
5. Claudio Suárez
Regarded as one of the best defenders in Mexican football history, Claudio Suárez had a stellar career spanning over two decades and is fifth on our list of best Liga MX players ever.
Suárez spent 18 years in Mexico at UNAM Pumas, Chivas Guadalajara and Tigres UANL. He would spend the final four years of his career in the MLS where he displayed his ability to read the game and tendency of making crucial interceptions.
4. Carlos Hermosillo
Carlos Hermosillo was a powerful forward known for his physical presence and goal-scoring ability. He had a successful career enjoying his best football at Club América and Cruz Azul where he won five league titles.
All up Hermosillo played 498 games in Mexico. He also had a small stint in Europe and featured at LA Galaxy alongside some of their greatest ever players including Cobi Jones, Kevin Hartman and Mauricio Cienfuegos.
3. Jared Borgetti
Jared Borgetti is often hailed as one of Mexico’s best strikers, renowned for his heading ability and goal-scoring prowess. Aside from spells at Bolton and Al-Ittihad, he played 491 league games in Mexico, mostly for Santos Laguna, and scored 259 in total.
Borgetti led Santos Laguna to two league titles in eight seasons at the club. He’s by far the all-time leading goal scorer for the club and his #58 jersey number has been retired.
2. Cuauhtémoc Blanco
A true icon of Mexican football, Cuauhtémoc Blanco played most of his football at Club América where he featured in 333 games and scoring 135 goals after making his debut for the club as a 19-year old in 1992.
Blanco played mostly as a deep lying forward, and he played the game with a resounding passion and was known for being extremely intense. A three-time Liga MX winner, he also won the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup twice.
1. Hugo Sánchez
Superstar Hugo Sánchez is considered by many to be the best Mexican footballer and is the best Liga MX player of all time. In 259 games in the league he scored 123 goals while at UNAM, América, Atlante and Atlético Celaya.
Sánchez left everyone in awe with his acrobatic goals, powerful headers and his incredible intelligence. His career also includes seven success years at Real Madrid, including 38 goals in 35 games in the 1989-90 La Liga season.