With the recent call-up of Álvaro Fidalgo, the number of naturalized players to represent the Mexican national team reaches 18. The former Club América midfielder, now playing for Real Betis, becomes the fourth Spanish player to don the green, white, and red jersey. Players originally from Argentina, Peru, Cuba, and Colombia also comprise this growing contingent within El Tri.
The first player not born in Mexico to represent the nation was Julio Lores, who, despite playing two matches for the Peruvian national team, twice won championships with Mexico at the Central American and Caribbean Games. This marked the beginning of a tradition that has seen players from various nations embrace Mexican nationality and contribute to its footballing legacy.
Prior to Fidalgo, Julián Quiñones and Germán Berterame were the most recent naturalized players to join the Mexican squad. All three players are in contention for a spot in the upcoming World Cup, and this could be the first time Mexico takes three naturalized players to the tournament.
A History of Naturalized Players for Mexico
Julio Lores
Of Peruvian origin, Julio Lores was the first naturalized player to represent Mexico. The forward, who played for Necaxa, represented El Tri at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1935 and 1938, winning gold medals in both competitions.
Carlos Blanco Castañón
Born in Spain, Blanco was the first player to participate in two FIFA World Cups for Mexico: Switzerland 1954 and Sweden 1958. His participation in the 1958 tournament was part of the team that secured Mexico’s first-ever point in a World Cup match.
José López Herranz
The Spanish forward played for Real Madrid and Hércules in Spain, and for Real España, Asturias, and América in Mexico. He was called up for the 1938 Central American and Caribbean Games and later coached Mexico at the 1954 and 1958 World Cups.
Lorenzo Camarena
Also from Spain, Camarena, nicknamed “El Abuelo” (The Grandfather), won the Primera División title with Necaxa in the 1932-1933 season and earned eight caps for the national team.
Jorge Romo
The Cuban-born Romo obtained Mexican nationality through his parents. He played for Asturias, Marte, and Toluca, and participated in the 1950, 1954, and 1958 World Cups.
Carlos Lara
A Mexican-Argentine forward who arrived in Mexican football in 1956, Lara shone with Zacatepec, scoring 120 goals. He debuted with the national team in 1961, preparing for the 1962 World Cup in Chile, but an injury prevented his participation in the tournament.
Gabriel Caballero
It had been 46 years since a naturalized player had been called up to the national team when Argentine Gabriel Caballero received an invitation in 2002 from Javier Aguirre. He was part of the squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, earning eight caps for Mexico.
Guillermo Franco
The Argentine forward was called up by Ricardo La Volpe in 2005. He debuted with a goal against Guatemala and scored seven goals in 25 appearances. He also participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Matías Vuoso
Vuoso received his first call-up in 2008 under Sven-Göran Eriksson. He played 15 matches and scored six goals, participating in World Cup qualifying matches and the 2015 Copa América.
Lucas Ayala
The former Tigres player received a single call-up in 2009, playing in a friendly match against Sweden.
Damián Álvarez
Naturalized in 2012, Álvarez was called up by José Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre. He played two friendly matches but did not earn any official caps.
Christian Giménez
Known as “Chaco,” Giménez debuted in 2013 in a friendly against Ivory Coast. He played five matches for the Mexican national team.
Antonio Naelson ‘Sinha’
The Brazilian is the naturalized player with the most appearances for Mexico, with 59 caps. He debuted in 2004 and participated in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
Leandro Augusto
Another Brazilian, Augusto debuted in 2008. He participated in World Cup qualifying matches and scored a goal against Bolivia in 2009.
Celso Ortiz
The Argentine debuted in 2021 with a goal against Nigeria. He played in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Julián Quiñones
The Mexican-Colombian debuted in 2023 under Jaime Lozano. He has won the CONCACAF Nations League and the CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico.
Germán Berterame
Berterame debuted in late 2024 in a friendly against the United States. He has eight appearances and two goals for El Tri.
Álvaro Fidalgo
The Spanish player obtained Mexican nationality in December 2024 and met the eligibility requirements in 2026. Javier Aguirre has called him up for the latest FIFA date prior to the 2026 World Cup.
Information from Karen Peña was used in this article.
The inclusion of naturalized players has develop into an increasingly common practice in international football, and Mexico is no exception. As the nation prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the contributions of these players will be crucial in their quest for success. The upcoming matches will be a key opportunity for Fidalgo, Quiñones, and Berterame to solidify their places in the squad and demonstrate their value to the team.
Mexico’s next confirmed match is a friendly against Uruguay on June 5, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (19:00 local time / 20:00 UTC). This match will provide a valuable opportunity for the team to prepare for the challenges ahead.
What are your thoughts on the increasing number of naturalized players in the Mexican national team? Share your opinions in the comments below!
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