Arsenal Academy Star Could Ditch Mexico for Canada in Shocking International Switch—Report
Canada's national squad is said to be considering an attempt to recruit 22-year-old Canadian-born Mexico player Marcelo Flores.
The Athletic indicates that Canada has engaged in discussions with Flores lately, considering a potential invitation to join the national team during their forthcoming November training session.
Flores chose to play for Mexico—his father's birthplace—in 2021 while he was part of Arsenal's academy system. He received his debut senior appearance for El Tri on December 9, 2021 in a friendly against Chile, but has only accumulated three total appearances for Mexico with just one in competitive play.
Following Javier Aguirre's appointment to Mexico's coaching position after the 2024 Copa América, Flores has been selected for only one squad. Aguirre included Flores in his initial roster upon returning as head coach in September 2024, however the forward failed to see any playing time in Aguirre's first two matches as manager.
Having fewer than three competitive matches for Mexico, Flores remains eligible to submit a one-time nationality change request with FIFA to play for Canada, leading Jesse Marsch's team to monitor his circumstances closely.
The report additionally mentions that Flores's participation in Canada's November training camp has become less probable recently, possibly due to his underwhelming club performances.
Marcelo Flores's Recent Struggles
No les vamos a mentir...
Sí nos pone tristes ver a Ethan Nwaneri y Miles Lewis-Skelly jugando la #BenditaChampions, mientras Marcelo Flores está en la Liga MX. 🥹#TNTSportsEnMax pic.twitter.com/rmdqDMWods
Flores excelled during his period at Arsenal's development program, training alongside talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Mikel Arteta even included him in first-team squads during the 2021–22 campaign, though he never earned his senior debut with the North London club.
Following an unsuccessful loan period at Real Oviedo, Tigres convinced Flores to depart Europe for Liga MX in September 2023.
Flores has found it difficult in Liga MX, recording only 11 goals and four assists across 71 matches since his Tigres debut. This campaign, the dual-citizen has been in the starting lineup for just one match and has made four total appearances through 16 games in the Apertura 2025.
The formerly promising young talent that many El Tri supporters had high hopes for has been unable to fulfill the elevated expectations his youth career created.
Less than four years since there were demands for Flores to be included in Mexico's 2022 FIFA World Cup squad, it wouldn't be shocking if his next international appearance comes while wearing Canada's jersey.