Mexican soccer finds itself at a critical crossroads in January 2026. With the Clausura 2026 tournament just underway and the World Cup on the horizon, Liga MX boasts enviable economic power, breaking investment records and attracting South American stars. However, this short-term model is stifling the sustainable development of local talent. It's time for a radical change: fewer massive purchases of foreign players and more investment in youth academies. While Pachuca and Chivas demonstrate the viability of this model, MLS offers a masterclass on how to evolve from a "retirement" league to a true contender. .
The current problem: a league of "buyers" that dilutes talent
For the 2025/2026 season, the trend continues: of the nearly 500 registered players, approximately 36% are foreign. Current regulations allow up to nine players not trained in Mexico (NFM) per team, with seven on the field simultaneously. While this raises the immediate technical level, the collateral costs are alarming:
* Marginalization of homegrown talent: Playing time for young players is drastically reduced, especially on high-payroll teams like América and Tigres.
* Stagnant exports: While Argentina and Uruguay export dozens of players annually, Mexico maintains only about 17 representatives in top European leagues.
* Lack of integration: Between the 2022 Apertura and the 2025 Clausura, 53% of foreign players left the league after just one or two tournaments, without leaving a lasting sporting legacy.
* * Insufficient filters: Although the FMF introduced quality filters in 2025 (based on minutes and performance in national teams), the priority remains the external "hierarchy" over internal projection.
Success stories: Pachuca and Chivas as historical exporters
These clubs have demonstrated that youth academies are not only romantic but also competitive:
* Pachuca: Their academy is a global benchmark. They have exported stars like Hirving Lozano, Héctor Herrera, and Edson Álvarez. Their "sell to reinvest" model allowed them to achieve milestones such as winning the Copa Sudamericana in 2006.
* Chivas: Their policy of playing exclusively with Mexican players compels them to be a talent factory. With 14 exports to Europe (including "Chicharito" Hernández and Carlos Vela), Guadalajara has proven that it's possible to thrash giants like Boca Juniors (4-0 in 2005) by relying on Mexican identity.
The lesson of MLS: youth academy first, stars later
Before the "Messi revolution" in 2023, MLS had already cemented its growth on solid foundations:
* Homegrown Rule: Incentives to sign homegrown players without going through the draft.
* MLS Next Pro: A reserve system that guarantees competitive playing time for young players.
* Early Export: Sales of players like Alphonso Davies and Ricardo Pepi at young ages.
The result is clear: Inter Miami won the 2025 MLS Cup with Messi as its standard-bearer, but built on a foundation of homegrown talent. The gap with Liga MX is closing; although Cruz Azul dominated the recent Concacaf Champions Cup, the competitiveness of American teams is steadily increasing.
Where should Mexico redirect its football?
With the World Cup on home soil, the time to act is now:
* Real incentives for youth development: Establish mandatory playing time requirements for players under 23 and financial bonuses for exporting players, emulating models like the Bundesliga.
* Balanced limits: Reduce the number of foreign player slots for clubs that don't meet quotas for debutants or youth team minutes.
* Hybrid model: Promote scouting for proven quality instead of panic buying. The goal should be to invest in academies that serve as a bridge to elite leagues.
* Depth for the Mexican National Team: Javier Aguirre needs a wider pool of players. A strong youth academy balances the dependence on "big" clubs and diversifies the talent available to the National Team.
If Mexico insists on buying players to solve immediate needs, it risks imitating the English model: a spectacular league, but a national team that always falls short of glory. Pachuca, Chivas, and the evolution of MLS confirm that youth development plus vision equals dominance. The potential is there; all that's missing is the political will of the owners to change course.