MEXICO

Lira is the type of player coaches trust instinctively. Developed at Pumas, he built his reputation on discipline, awareness and a tireless work ethic that rarely dips. At Cruz Azul, he has grown into a modern holding midfielder, always positioned correctly, always offering a passing option. His game is built on reading situations early rather than reacting late. Off the pitch, Lira is known for his quiet personality and analytical mindset, the kind of player who studies matches and opponents in detail, almost like a chess player thinking moves ahead. He doesn’t rely on flair, but on control and balance. In a team full of attacking talent, Lira is the one making sure everything holds together, unnoticed by some, indispensable to those who understand the game.

After the skull fracture in 2020 that threatened his career and forced him out of the game for eight months, Jiménez re-emerged with a protective headband and a completely different outlook. “I almost lost everything, even my life. So I’m trying to enjoy football as much as I can,” he explained. “Everything, not just football. Everything I try to enjoy more.” In England he’s admired for his composure and link-up play, but his story carries more weight than goals alone. But there has been some criticism of late, amid poor results for the national team and a personal goal drought (penalties excepted) – he has criticised fans for booing, while José Ramón Fernández, the doyen of Mexican football journalism, recently named him the most overrated player in the setup.

Ochoa has made a career out of showing up when the world is watching. From his unforgettable performances at World Cups, especially Brazil 2014, where he seemed to repel everything, to a globe-trotting club journey across France, Spain, Italy and now Cyprus, “Paco Memo” has built a legacy on reflexes and resilience. “The World Cup is where I feel most alive,” he once said. Known for his cat-like saves and ability to rise in big moments, he has often been Mexico’s last line and biggest hope. Off the pitch, Ochoa is calm, almost reserved, a contrast to his explosive style in goal. A father and family man, he has balanced longevity with consistency, staying relevant across generations. Few goalkeepers define an era like Ochoa, and fewer keep doing it into their 40s – Ochoa turns 41 during the knockout stages – even if he has only started one international in the past two years at the time of writing.

Reyes has quietly become one of the most versatile defenders in Mexican football. Comfortable as a centre-back or full-back, he built his reputation at Puebla before stepping into the pressure cooker that is Club América. There, expectations are relentless but Reyes adapted quickly. Calm on the ball, tactically aware and rarely rushed, he reads situations well and prefers anticipation over last-ditch defending. Off the pitch, he is known for his reserved personality, keeping a low profile despite playing for one of the most scrutinised clubs in the country. That composure carries into his game: no unnecessary risks, no panic. Reyes may not always grab headlines, but coaches value him for exactly that reason, he brings balance, discipline and reliability wherever he plays.

Born in Colombia but a naturalised Mexican, with a wife from Monterrey – Quiñones turned down a call-up from the country of his birth in 2023 as he revelled in Mexican football, with one local journalist reporting he had grown “tired of being ignored”. His journey has always carried a sense of proving himself, and it shows in his game. Powerful, direct and relentless, he built his reputation in Liga MX as a forward who attacks space aggressively and never stops pressing defenders. Atlas and Club América turned him into a title winner and a constant threat. “I like to fight for every ball,” he once said, and that mentality defines him. Off the pitch, Quiñones keeps a relatively low profile, but his story, crossing borders, adapting cultures adds another layer to his identity. On it, he brings intensity, strength and a forward’s instinct that rarely switches off.

Alvarado, who has inherited the nickname El Piojo – the Louse – from his Argentinian hero Claudio López, plays with the freedom of someone who never lost his street-football instincts. From his early days at Necaxa, his quick feet and fearless dribbling stood out, and at Chivas he has embraced the responsibility of being a difference-maker. Left-footed, explosive and always looking to take on defenders, he thrives in chaotic attacking moments. “I like to play without fear,” he has said. Off the pitch, Alvarado is known for his easy-going personality, sense of humour and love of music, often sharing glimpses of a lighter, relaxed side that contrasts with his intensity in games, listing his hobbies as walking his dogs and watching movies. He’ll try things others won’t and sometimes fail but that unpredictability is exactly what makes him dangerous. When he’s confident, he can tilt matches on his own.