Ranking Mexico's Top 5 National Team Stars Who Dominated 2025
The Mexico national team experienced a rollercoaster campaign, yet several players emerged as standout performers, stepping up when needed most and cementing their positions as vital components of El Tri as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
Under Javier Aguirre's leadership in his first complete season back for his third tenure as Mexico's head coach, the team reclaimed its traditional dominance in Concacaf. El Tri earned well-deserved victories in both the Nations League and Gold Cup competitions, defeating all major regional rivals in the process.
These championship victories marked the most successful campaign El Tri has experienced since the decade began. However, a disappointing six-match streak without a win to close out the year somewhat tarnished what was otherwise an impressive 2025 season.
More crucially, the past twelve months represented a critical period for players to prove their worth and demonstrate why they merit inclusion in the 2026 World Cup squad. Ultimately, some veteran stars solidified their national team standing while several newcomers flourished when opportunities arose, establishing themselves as integral El Tri members at an ideal moment.
Sports Illustrated presents the top five Mexico national team performers of 2025, evaluated exclusively on their contributions while representing El Tri.
5. Johan Vasquez
Any uncertainty regarding Mexico's defensive commander was definitively resolved by Johan Vásquez's exceptional 2025 campaign, where he distinguished himself through reliability, leadership qualities, and outstanding performance at the center of defense.
The Genoa skipper has developed into an outstanding, complete center-back. While his ball-handling skills and physical attributes were never in doubt, he has recently eliminated the inconsistency and error-prone tendencies that characterized his early professional years.
Vásquez featured in the starting lineup for 12 of his 13 El Tri appearances this season, frequently donning the captain's armband. Throughout Mexico's championship runs, he provided more than just defensive stability—transforming defense into a team strength under Aguirre's guidance.
Considering his current form, it's remarkable that he remained unused during the 2022 World Cup. At 27, Vásquez has arguably enjoyed his finest career season and is assured a starting role when Mexico faces South Africa in the 2026 World Cup opener.
He stands among, if not as, the premier center-back throughout Concacaf.
4. Erik Lira
Entering 2025, Erik Lira had accumulated merely five appearances in El Tri colors. He'll begin the upcoming year having earned 19 total caps for Mexico.
Previously overlooked Lira discovered in Aguirre a coach who recognized his capabilities. The determined midfielder has flourished at club level with Cruz Azul since early 2024, operating in a versatile role as a defensive midfielder who retreats to function as an additional center-back.
Aguirre implemented this same system with El Tri, and Lira thrived, particularly during the Nations League semifinal against Canada. While Mexico struggled collectively in the year's latter stages, Lira continued demonstrating his abilities and emerged as El Tri's top performer during September's international fixtures.
The sole factor limiting Lira's prominence is Mexico captain Edson Álvarez's presence. "El Machín" remains the unquestioned starter, but Lira has developed into a superb backup option.
Should Lira maintain his current standard, seeing him selected as the midfield anchor against defensive opponents next summer wouldn't be surprising.
3. Marcel Ruiz
Demands for Marcel Ruiz to receive El Tri consideration grew overwhelming until Aguirre finally granted him a well-earned Gold Cup call-up during summer. The previously overlooked player didn't merely capitalize on his chance—he established himself as a crucial element of Mexico's World Cup ambitions.
Ruiz earned 13 of his 14 career El Tri caps in 2025. Though he started the Gold Cup as a substitute, following an impressive showing in Mexico's tournament second match, he went on to start 11 of the team's remaining 12 games.
The Toluca player possesses the versatility to excel throughout midfield positions, representing a contemporary box-to-box midfielder equally adept with possession and defensive disruption. His profile is uncommon within Mexico, and most encouragingly, he appears to continuously develop.
Despite limited international experience, Ruiz performed like a seasoned professional from his Gold Cup debut. His composure, field vision, and technical ability were prominently displayed, qualities that have elevated him among Aguirre's most valuable assets.
Ruiz's reputation soared throughout 2025, positioning him for World Cup starting duties. At 25, a strong summer performance could easily facilitate his European soccer transition, as Liga MX appears increasingly manageable for his talents.
2. Gilberto Mora
Gilberto Mora represents, undoubtedly, Mexico's finest prospect developed over the previous 15 years. During 2025, the young Tijuana talent experienced such a remarkable emergence that he compelled not only El Tri, but the global soccer community to pay attention.
Luis Chávez's serious injury compelled Aguirre to seek alternatives during the Gold Cup's middle stages. Enter 16-year-old Mora, receiving his initial senior national team opportunity and ... he's remained El Tri's outstanding performer since.
The teenager provided the decisive assist in the Gold Cup semifinal before dominating USMNT players in the final, becoming the youngest player to claim a senior international championship. Mora missed Mexico's subsequent four matches while representing El Tri in the U-20 World Cup, but his tournament displays clearly demonstrated he's already surpassed youth international competition.
Mora possesses transformative qualities no other El Tri player offers; he perceives opportunities and demonstrates game understanding rarely witnessed at his age. It's understandable why elite global clubs eagerly anticipate acquiring him upon maturity.
The Mexican prodigy will debut at the World Cup aged just 17, and it's accurate to state he'll contribute significantly to El Tri's tournament performance.
1. Raul Jimenez
Mexico netted 22 goals throughout 18 matches in 2025, with nine coming from their premier player, Raúl Jiménez.
Jiménez delivered doubles in both Nations League semifinal and final encounters, scored the decisive goal in the Gold Cup semifinal, and netted the equalizer in the final against the USMNT. When Mexico required crucial contributions, the veteran delivered, strengthening his position as the squad's most valuable player during the Aguirre period.
It was commonly believed that Jiménez's peak years had passed, but his remarkable El Tri renaissance over the past year has proven all skeptics incorrect. The Fulham forward now ranks as Mexico's third highest goalscorer historically, needing just eight more to match Javier "Chicharito" Hernández.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers star has matured excellently, particularly with Mexico. Jiménez's combination play and ability to operate with his back to goal have transformed him into a complete forward, becoming the foundation of Aguirre's offensive approach.
Jiménez will participate in his fourth World Cup and is set to serve as El Tri's primary striker for the first time, a fitting recognition following his finest national team campaign.
Beyond that achievement—it represents deserved acknowledgment for one of Mexican soccer's greatest strikers in history.