After their defeat against Napoli, the Mexican footballer faced relegation to Serie B in Italy, a tough setback that echoed through his career. In modern football, relegation stings, especially for foreign players starting to carve a name in one of the globe’s most competitive leagues. Mexicans who have faced the drop in Europe are rare, yet John Vasquez experienced it again, this time with Cremonese in Serie A. The stumble marked a second relegation in Italy for a player who arrived with hopes of writing a new chapter abroad.
Vásquez left Pumas to pursue history in Italy, landing in Genoa, a city that has seen its share of ups and downs in football. For the 2022–23 season, Cremonese placed confidence in the Sonoran forward, recognizing his strong performances even though the club would not stay in the top flight. The team finished nineteenth, and the relegation tale followed him to his new squad, now facing the threat of dropping out of Serie A once more.
Another Mexican who might be added to this painful list is Cesar Montes. The defender, nicknamed the Cachorro, joined Espanyol in Barcelona following the World Cup in Qatar, yet the former Rayados youth player has found it difficult to lift his club out of the relegation zone. The tough reality of Europe’s top leagues has claimed a few more players from Mexico, underscoring the high demands placed on footballers who cross the Atlantic to compete at the highest level.
Beyond these two names, there is a broader history of Mexican footballers who, despite their talent, could not keep their clubs in the upper echelon of Europe. The path is strewn with challenges in Spain, England, and other major leagues where every win is hard-earned and every mistake amplified by the scrutiny of fans and analysts alike. The shelved dreams of a stable top-flight career can be a harsh reminder that talent alone does not guarantee enduring success in the continent’s most demanding competitions.
ALL MEXICANS PLAYING IN EUROPE
In GOAL we explore the broader history of Mexican players who have descended or faced relegation across Europe, highlighting the resilience and the risks of chasing a dream far from home:
SABINO AGUIRRE (ARENAS DE GUECHO 1934-1935)
JOSE LUIS BORBOLLA (SPORTS 1944-1945)
HUGO SANCHEZ (RAYO VALLECANO 1993-1994)
MIGUEL LAYUN (ATALANTA 2009-2010)
ANDRES GUARDADO (2010-2011 SPORTS)
PABLO BARRERA (WEST HAM 2010-2011)
GIOVANI DOS SANTOS (MAJORCA 2012-2013)
GUILLERMO OCHOA (AJACCIO 2013-2014, GRANADA 2016-2017)
RAÚL GUDIÑO (MADEIRA UNION 2015-2016)
ANTONIO BRISENO (FEIRENSE 2018-2019)
JOHAN VASQUEZ (GENOA 2021-2022)
The list above reflects a long, storied connection between Mexican footballers and Europe, a narrative marked by ambition, adaptation, and the occasional relegation setback. Each name represents a chapter in the ongoing exchange between Mexican talent and European leagues, a dynamic that continues to shape the national dialogue around football abroad. Critics and fans alike have watched these careers unfold with a mix of pride and concern, recognizing the sacrifices made by players who leave home to test themselves against the world’s best.
In the present moment, the discussion around relegation is as much about development as it is about sport. For Mexican players, the experience can fuel growth—learning from tougher leagues, refining technique, and cultivating the mental strength required to bounce back from disappointment. The stories of Vasquez, Montes, and their peers serve as a reminder that while relegation can cast a shadow, it does not necessarily define a career. Persistence, strategic moves, and a readiness to adapt often determine who emerges stronger on the other side.
As analysts continue to dissect each season, the broader takeaway remains clear: talent from Mexico has a notable presence in Europe, and every season offers new opportunities to prove worth at the highest levels of football. Whether a club fights for midtable security or battles against the drop, the journey of Mexican players in Europe remains an evolving saga of aspiration, resilience, and the universal pursuit of football excellence.