Mexico's Rising Stars Ready to Shine Against Colombia and Ecuador This October
El Tri returns to international duty with two compelling friendly fixtures against Colombia and Ecuador, both formidable South American opponents.
Manager Javier Aguirre's 25-man squad for October's international window has been significantly affected by injury concerns. Two absences stand out particularly, as captain Edson Álvarez and top scorer under Aguirre's tenure, Raúl Jiménez, remain in Europe for rehabilitation from their respective ailments.
Consequently, several players will receive crucial chances to stake their claim for inclusion in El Tri's 2026 World Cup squad. After recording stalemates against Japan and South Korea in the previous international break, Mexico seeks positive outcomes to generate momentum with nine months remaining before hosting the World Cup.
The missing established stars create opportunities for peripheral players to establish themselves, and here are five individuals worth monitoring closely during Mexico's forthcoming fixtures.
Santiago Gimenez
Santiago Gimenez has featured in every Serie A match for AC Milan this campaign, though he hasn't contributed a single goal or assist. Following an impressive introduction to Italian football with four goal contributions in his opening five Milan appearances, Gimenez has managed only six more since late February.
However, with Jiménez sidelined, El Bebote will presumably assume the role of Mexico's primary striker versus Colombia and Ecuador.
Gimenez broke a nearly two-year goal drought with the national team during a pre-Gold Cup friendly. When the actual tournament commenced, he failed to find the net and played a minimal role in Mexico's summer championship run.
In his most recent outing, Gimenez delivered a spectacular strike to rescue El Tri from defeat against South Korea. Aguirre's staff hopes that breakthrough moment will help Gimenez overcome his national team struggles.
Desperately requiring a confidence injection, Gimenez will target scoring opportunities in El Tri's October encounters, hoping to transfer that momentum back to club level and elevate his form approaching the World Cup.
Kevin Álvarez
Rodrigo Huescas's impressive performances had many viewing him as Mexico's first-choice right-back for next summer. However, the FC Copenhagen defender sustained a campaign-ending knee injury, effectively crushing his World Cup aspirations.
Enter Kevin Álvarez as Aguirre's immediate solution to the Huescas situation. Following a two-year hiatus from El Tri, Álvarez returns determined to maximize his chance of securing passage to a second World Cup.
The Club América fullback has overcome the injury issues that plagued him since joining the club in 2023 and has established himself as an automatic starter for one of Liga MX's premier teams.
Álvarez possesses undeniable ability, and if he demonstrates his full potential, there's genuine possibility he could secure a role next summer in a position that has caused Aguirre considerable concern.
Diego Lainez
It's remarkable to consider that nearly ten years have passed since Diego Lainez burst onto the scene as one of Mexican football's most promising young talents since Carlos Vela and Giovani dos Santos.
A disappointing European adventure with Real Betis and Portugal's Braga followed, causing his reputation to nosedive and leading to a Liga MX return in January 2023 at age 22. His initial Tigres campaigns offered little improvement, and Lainez seemed destined to join the ranks of squandered Mexican talent.
Circumstances have improved dramatically in 2025. Since the calendar year began, Lainez has operated primarily as a right winger and flourished. The dynamism, technical ability, and bold approach that characterized his teenage years have returned.
With Roberto Alvarado also injured, Lainez might earn additional playing time for El Tri. Mexico has evolved into a side that seldom generates threats from wide areas. When performing at peak level, Lainez possesses the capability to alter that dynamic.
Carlos Rodríguez
Few El Tri players have endured as much supporter criticism in recent seasons as Carlos Rodríguez, yet he's appeared in all but one of Aguirre's squads since the manager's return.
No Liga MX club has accumulated more points than Cruz Azul since early 2024, with Rodríguez playing a significant role in that success. However, when donning El Tri colors, he's largely been a pale imitation of his club form.
Particularly within Aguirre's pragmatic, defensively-oriented approach, Rodríguez's strongest attributes go underutilized. He's a player who requires consistent possession to control matches from midfield, something Mexico has rarely emphasized over the past year.
With Gilberto Mora and Obed Vargas currently excelling for Mexico at the U-20 World Cup, Rodríguez must capitalize on this opportunity to genuinely impact El Tri, or risk being overtaken by other candidates in the World Cup roster competition.
Ramón Juárez
Throughout the past year, Ramón Juárez has transformed from relative obscurity to genuine World Cup contention.
The 24-year-old central defender was thrust into action by Club América boss André Jardine three seasons ago amid crucial injuries, and Juárez delivered. He proved instrumental in América's quest to capture two of their three consecutive Liga MX championships.
While other center-backs eventually returned from injury, after beginning the Apertura 2025 season as a substitute, he's regained a starting position and featured in every minute of América's previous four matches.
Juárez represents arguably the finest aerial defender available to Aguirre—demonstrated by outjumping Sergio Ramos to net his maiden goal of the campaign.
Following his second-ever El Tri selection, he'll attempt to maximize this opportunity to enhance his standing as a valuable option in one of Mexico's most stable positions.