Jürgen Klinsmann recently urged stars of the Mexican national team to make the jump from Liga MX to Europe, reflecting his beliefs from when he was head coach of the United States men’s national team. Back then, Klinsmann pushed for American stars from Major League Soccer to seek opportunities in Europe. His 2014 World Cup squad featured 12 players representing European clubs.
Now he is pushing to do the same for the Mexican national team. At the 2024 Copa America, only six Mexican players came from clubs outside Liga MX. Klinsmann, who is currently unemployed after being fired by South Korea, suggested that Liga MX players may be in too familiar a position. High salaries and strong crowds have turned these Mexican players into stars. However, they may not have the frequent pressure and competition to improve.
“Maybe they feel too comfortable in Mexico because they earn a lot of money there and play in full stadiums, in exciting stadiums. If you look at Guadalajara, Monterrey and all the stadiums around Mexico City, they are all wonderful and great places. Maybe that’s why they lack the motivation to try it in Europe,” said Klinsmann.
Klinsmann alludes to the fact that Liga MX has treated Mexican players well. Chicharito Hernandez, one of the Mexican players with a strong career in Europe, is playing the final phase of his career at Chivas. The Mexican club pays him $4 million a year to play in Liga MX. Although he is rarely available for selection at El Tri, it shows how successful Mexicans can be playing on salaries in their home country. Plus, strong crowds create the desired atmosphere in some of the most impressive stadiums in North America.
Jürgen Klinsmann repeats the criticism of the USMNT in Europe and comments on Mexico
There has been no reaction from Liga MX or the stars Klinsmann has in his sights. Still, there are reasons to support Klinsmann’s opinion. Mexico’s best players, at least on paper, are Edson Alvarez and Santiago Gimenez, both of whom play in Europe. Hirving Lozano and Raul Jimenez were not in the squad for the recent Copa America, as Jaime Lozano fielded more players from Liga MX. Perhaps this contributed to Mexico’s eventual elimination from the competition in the group stage.
“A national team must be surrounded by players who always play at the highest possible level. If you have players in Europe and the players possibly play in clubs that play in the Champions League, then these players are used to playing against the best in the world. Not only when there is a World Cup or a Copa América, they are used to doing that week after week,” said Klinsmann.
But if history is any guide, Liga MX will not take Klinsmann’s comments kindly. Back in 2014, the German expressed his disappointment that Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley left Europe to play for MLS clubs. MLS Commissioner Don Garber then sharply criticized Klinsmann. Garber said Klinsmann’s comments were “detrimental to the league and the sport of soccer in the United States.”
Ten years later, many of the USMNT players are playing in Europe, which Klinsmann says puts the team in a better position.
“If you have the opportunity to go to Europe, then try it. If it doesn’t work out, that’s not a problem,” said Klinsmann. “Now, years later, you see the US national team, of course, and almost all of them play in Europe.”
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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