Sombreros and tequila for everyone, strike up mariachis: Mexican party has just become wild

Ten years ago, when France international Andre-Pierre Gignac decided to neglect numerous European sides keen on him following the expiration of his contract with Olympique Marseille and join the Mexican side Tigres UANL, everyone was shocked.

The striker's wife, Deborah, is half-Mexican, so that's probably where the reasons for his move lie. Still, despite offers from the USA, Saudi Arabia, China, and, of course, France, Gignac remained faithful to Tigres to this day, becoming the club's all-time leading scorer and a true legend.

The 39-year-old Gignac is still busting nets in Mexico (©Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images)

However, who could have foreseen that ten years later, the Frenchman would await numerous renowned names of world football arriving to join him in Mexico?

Namely, in the last couple of years, a number of world-class players have moved to Mexican sides, making the Liga MX extremely interesting to follow.

In January 2024, 14 years after leaving his homeland, the ex-Man United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and West Ham (among others) striker, Javier Hernandez aka Chicharito, returned home to his boyhood club Guadalajara.

Approximately seven months after him, the former Monaco, Marseille, and AC Milan player and a two-time UEFA Europa League winner, Lucas Ocampos, joined Monterrey and - as it turned out - hinted at the arrival of several gigantic names in the eighth largest city in Mexico.

As of the beginning of 2025, Mexico became one of the most desirable destinations in the football world.

On January 13, the ex-Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton man, a two-time UCL winner, and 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner, James Rodriguez, joined Club Leon as a free agent.

Only three and a half weeks later, Sergio Ramos activated a transfer bomb, announcing that he'd join Monterrey and participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with them. The Mexican side advanced from the group stage alongside Inter Milan (River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds were eliminated) before being knocked out in the Round of 16 by Borussia Dortmund.

Sergio Ramos breaks rules so he can wear number 93. But why that number after all?

Still, the popular Rayados showcased Mexican football very well and probably drew several names to join the Liga MX sides.

In just 20 days - between July 4 and July 20 - Pumas UNAM brought two iconic players - former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey and legendary Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain custodian Keylor Navas, throwing down the gauntlet to Monterrey.

However, Ramos' side responded quickly by signing the ex-Man United man, Anthony Martial, who became the latest name to join the "Mexican party."

In the end, it's important to mention that several other well-known names in European football currently play in Mexico. For instance, the former Newcastle forward Allan Saint-Maximin plays for Club America, ex-Atletico Madrid striker Angel Correa wears Tigres' jersey, while the legendary Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia and the man with 80 appearances for the Portugal national team, William Carvalho, play together for Pachuca.

Therefore, if you ever get bored with the mainstream football and the European top five leagues, turn to the Mexican Liga MX to remember some football heroes. You won't regret it.