The best Mexico players of all time have multiple titles for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, and hold almost every record for their country despite the next generation taking center stage for El Tri.
It is no secret that Mexico's National Team has had an inconsistent few years. They were eliminated from the 2022 World Cup in the Group Stage, but then went on to win the 2023 Gold Cup. Just one year later, they failed to advance beyond the Group Stage at Copa America 2024 despite plenty of young talent.
Mexico's all-time greats, though, had much more success for El Tri. In fact, their performances for both club and country marked them as the best Mexican soccer players in history.
Best Mexico players of all time - ranked
5. Andres Guardado
Andres Guardado is the player with the most all-time caps for Mexico. The midfielder made 179 appearances for his country until he retired in 2022, and scored 28 goals in his 16 years for El Tri. Guardado truly made his name at PSV, but the two-time Dutch champion also helped Mexico win three Gold Cups.
The iconic player is also one of the few people in Mexico's history to appear in five World Cups, spanning from 2006 to 2022.
4. Cuauhtemoc Blanco
Cuauhtemoc Blanco currently holds the record for the third-most goals scored for Mexico with 38. He also won the Silver Ball and Silver Boot at the 1999 Confederations Cup, which he helped his country win in a thrilling 4-3 final against Brazil on home soil.
Although he never had prolonged stints at one of Europe's biggest clubs like the next three players on our list, Blanco still delivered for Club America. His 153 domestic goals ranks as the second most in the club's history.
3. Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez
As Mexico's all-time top goalscorer, Chicharito easily cracks the top three. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player scored 52 goals for his country, including goals at the 2010, 2014, and 2018 World Cups. He also played an integral role in leading Mexico to their 2011 Gold Cup victory by scoring seven goals, the most of any player in the tournament.
Chicharito might not have as many club trophies as the two best Mexican players of all time, but he still has an impressive two Premier League titles with Manchester United and a Europa League title with Sevilla.
2. Rafael Marquez
Rafael Marquez is another Mexican soccer player who found great success in Europe, especially at Barcelona. The defender won four La Liga titles, two Champions League titles, two Spanish Super Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup from 2003 to 2010.
Marquez's trophy cabinet also includes the 2003 and 2011 Gold Cup for Mexico, as well as the 1999 Confederations Cup. When the former Mexico captain retired in 2018, he was (and still is) heralded as one of the greats for El Tri.
1. Hugo Sanchez
Hugo Sanchez was always going to take home the top spot. The former Real Madrid striker is one of the club's best foreign players of all time, ranked as the seventh highest goalscorer for Los Blancos with 208 goals.
Sanchez won La Liga and La Pichichi fives time each for his contributions in Spain, and still holds the record for the the fourth most goals scored in La Liga by a foreign player, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Karim Benzema.
