César Huerta made a striking first impression with the Mexican national team, finding the net to level the score against Australia.
On the evening of Saturday, September 9, the Mexican fanbase met its newest addition. The winger stepped onto the field in the 60th minute and quickly embraced his role with the senior national squad, scoring a goal that mirrored his Australian counterpart and announced his arrival on the international stage.
Affectionately known as El Chino, Huerta earned his first call-up to El Tri during a September FIFA date after delivering standout performances in Liga MX with UNAM Pumas. The opportunity came from head coach Jaime Lozano, and Huerta capitalized on his early chances in the national shirt, signaling a promising start to his international career.
Today Huerta stands out as one of the most dynamic players in Mexican football. He dreams of earning a starting spot in Lozano’s lineup as the country builds toward the 2026 World Cup, though a single goal will not by itself secure a place. Lozano has made clear that the forward will continue to be considered in future convocations, and Huerta is determined to keep seizing opportunities that arise on the national stage.
Who is Huerta, where did his journey begin, and how has his career evolved? GOAL offers a comprehensive look:
PROFESSIONAL DEBUT
Huerta came through the youth ranks at Guadalajara, commonly known as Chivas. In 2018 he broke into the first team, though he initially struggled to establish himself as a regular starter.
The following year, the club sent him on a loan to Zacatepec in the Ascenso MX to continue his development, but his stint there lasted only six months.
MONARCHS MORELIA AND MAZATLAN
Back at the Verde Valle academy in 2019, Huerta logged limited minutes across five appearances under the guidance of coach Luis Fernando Tena. After a period with minimal action, he went out on loan again, this time to Monarcas Morelia. The franchise later became Mazatlán FC, and Huerta took part in all competitions during his time in the Pacific region, gaining valuable experience on multiple fronts.
RETURN TO CHIVAS
With growing exposure from top-flight football, Chivas sought a return for the young winger for Guard1anes 2021, but his minutes remained modest. In Grita México 2022 Huerta enjoyed a breakout campaign, appearing in 18 matches and scoring his first goal for the club that first opened the door to his professional journey.
Despite the upward trajectory, the club decided to part ways with the player, allowing him to explore other opportunities as he sought a place that could offer a more prominent role.
TRANSFER TO PUMAS
The move to Pumas UNAM came as Huerta joined as a free agent in Clausura 2023, after not fitting into the project overseen by Fernando Hierra and Veljko Paunović. At Pedregal, the player stood out in the university team’s attack, recording 39 appearances, seven goals, and three assists.
Under coach Antonio Mohamed, Huerta displayed his best form to date, a period that helped him gain consideration for Mexico’s World Cup setup and solidified his status as a potential contributor at the international level.
DEBUT WITH MEXICO
Huerta debuted for Mexico in a friendly against Australia at the AT&T Stadium. He entered as a substitute in the 60th minute, replacing Alexis Vega, and just 23 minutes later he converted his first international goal with a left-footed volley from a pass delivered by Johan Vásquez, earning a valuable draw for El Tri against the Socceroos.
Attribution: Goal