Mexico are a tough team to judge ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and supporters will be hoping that they can spring a sports betting shock this winter.
Going up against Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia in Group C, many believe that Mexico can reach the last-16 stage and they could be quite exciting to watch.
With that in mind, we’ve looked at five Mexico players to follow throughout the World Cup this winter. We could see plenty of these guys at Qatar 2022…
Hirving Lozano
A household name in European football, Hirving Lozano has built up a lofty reputation since bursting onto the scene at Napoli.
He joined the Serie A giants in 2019 and has been a pivotal figure for the club, making over 100 appearances in all competitions.
He’s topped the 50 caps mark for his country too, notching 16 goals and helping his side to qualify for their eighth World Cup tournament in a row.
Mexico have reached the last-16 in each of the previous seven competitions – can Lozano help his nation to compete in the knockout stages once again?
¡Napoli, más líder que nunca! ⚽️🔥🇮🇹
— AS México (@ASMexico) November 5, 2022
El cuadro 'partenopei' vence 1-2 a Atalanta en el juego 100 de Hirving Lozano en Serie A 💪😎💙 pic.twitter.com/a4LznbQSF2
Edson Alvarez
Linked with the likes of Chelsea and Juventus this year, Edson Alvarez is widely regarded as one of European football’s most consistent defenders.
Now aged 25, he is the prime of his career and will play a key role for Mexico as they look to secure safe passage from Group C at the 2022 World Cup.
A leading figure for Ajax in their recent Eredivisie triumphs, Alvarez has 58 Mexico caps to his name as we approach this winter’s competition.
He popped up with the decisive goal in Mexico’s 1-0 victory over Honduras in a World Cup qualifying fixture earlier this year and fans will be looking for him at set-pieces.
Raul Jimenez
There are major fitness concerns over Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez and his place in the Mexico World Cup squad is under threat.
Having made just three Premier League appearances for the club this season, Jimenez hasn’t featured since Wolves’ 0-0 draw with Bournemouth in August.
Once a football betting favourite in anytime goal scorer markets, Jimenez has lost his way at Molineux and it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see him leave the club next summer.
For now, he’ll be concentrating on trying to get back to full fitness and a place on the plane to Qatar could follow if he can prove that he is ready to go.
Diego Lainez
One of the most naturally talented players in the squad, Diego Lainez is currently plying his trade for Braga – on loan from La Liga giants Real Betis.
He has endured a quiet start to life in Portugal, notching one goal in nine appearances at the time of writing. However, he is still only 22 years old and time is on his side.
Lainez could use the World Cup as the platform to showcase his talent though. The quality is there, however consistency continues to elude him.
Plenty of fans will be keeping a close eye on him with a view to the transfer window. Given Betis were happy to loan him out this season, a purchase in the summer may be likely.
Diego Lainez sobre su paso en Selección Mexicana:
— Linea Deportiva (@NacionDMX) November 5, 2022
"Yo creo que no se me puede recriminar nada. Las veces que he lo he hecho, lo he hecho muy bien, con goles y asistencias. Cada vez que me den la oportunidad trataré de seguir por ese camino".#seleccionmexicana #miseleccionmx pic.twitter.com/X7iUrnsYNY
Guillermo Ochoa
For three weeks in the summer of 2014, Guillermo Ochoa was the best goalkeeper in the world. International football fans will remember his incredible efforts that summer.
Now 37 years old, Ochoa remains the Mexico number one but this will most likely be his final appearance at a World Cup.
He was a huge hit with fans around the world eight years ago and Ochoa brings invaluable experience to a Mexico squad that is still relatively young.
The latest World Cup betting odds have Mexico out at 100/1 to lift the Jules Rimet trophy this winter. It would be some party if Ochoa can sign off in style…
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
