At GOAL, the focus is on Mexican footballers who competed in the most prestigious club final in world football, the Champions League final.
Since the competition adopted its modern name and format in the early 1990s, the final has crowned Real Madrid as the most successful club with a record 14 titles to their name. That historical dominance provides a backdrop for every Mexican player who has stepped onto the European stage in this elite event.
In the 2022-23 season, Napoli has delivered a remarkable performance in Serie A and in European competition, eyeing their first-ever appearance in a Champions League final. They sit within striking distance of a historic triumph, with the potential to claim a third star in Italian football after a 33-year drought. The team’s success has been bolstered by standout performers such as Alex Meret, Kim Min-jae, Piotr Zielinski, Victor Osimhen, and the Mexican attacker Hirving Lozano, who has become a central figure in this campaign.
Hirving Lozano is in his third season in Italian football, proudly wearing the Azzurri colors. If he maintains his current form and helps Napoli advance deep into the continental tournament, he could join a select group of Mexican players who have featured in a Champions League final, cementing a significant milestone in Aztec football history.
That is the focus inside GOAL today: a look at which Mexican stars are pursuing glory, and which clubs they aim to bring that triumph to.
RAFAEL MARQUEZ (BARCELONA)
@Getty
Rafael Márquez was a cornerstone of Barcelona’s celebrated six-man squad in 2006. The Michoacán-born defensive presence started in the heart of defense as Barcelona faced Arsenal in the 2005-06 final, partnering with Carles Puyol to anchor the back line. Márquez’s contribution helped him become the first Mexican footballer to win Europe’s premier club competition.
JAVIER CHICHARITO HERNANDEZ (MANCHESTER UNITED)
@Getty
Chicharito joined Manchester United in 2010 and quickly earned a starting berth under Sir Alex Ferguson. He was part of the squad that reached the 2010-11 final against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. Though Manchester United fell 3-1 at Wembley, the Guadalajara native demonstrated world-class poise on the European stage and added another memorable chapter to his career.
JONATHAN DOS SANTOS (BARCELONA)
The Dos Santos brothers showcased their talent with Barcelona, including a season when they faced Manchester United in a European final. While Jonathan did not start the match or sit on the bench during the key moments, his presence within the squad highlighted the reach of Mexican players in Europe’s top club competition.
Citation: GOAL