Mexico National Soccer Team News

Unlike Héctor Herrera or Carlos Vela, this Mexican player wants to prove himself in Europe

By Jose Castro

Carlos Vela is playing his fifth season with Los Angeles FC.

Carlos Vela is playing his fifth season with Los Angeles FC.

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After reports started emerging of a potential arrival of Héctor Herrera to MLS over the summer, today Houston Dynamo announced the acquisition of the Mexico international. He’ll join over the summer, after La Liga season and his contract with Atlético Madrid have ended.

More Mexico National Team news:

Héctor Herrera reportedly accepted an offer to join Houston Dynamo. Why did he choose MLS over Liga MX?

It’s true that Herrera has had problems in the past with Diego “Cholo” Simeone, as the Argentine coach erased him from the starting XI for the first part of the season, but after having a starting role for three straight games and been the best player of Los Colchoneros, his future pointed towards his stay in La Liga.

Even “Cholo” Simeone recently said that he was doing wrong to Herrera for sitting him that much, as he’s one of the players that trains the hardest. But for the 31-year-old midfielder, the decision was taken, and now Dynamo is waiting for him.

Similar to Herrera’s situation, when Carlos Vela decided to join Los Angeles FC back in 2018, he still had years in front of him on his prime, as he was a regular player for Real Sociedad, but he didn’t flinch when offered a Designated Player slot with the back-then new MLS franchise.

But unlike them, there’s a Mexican player that could follow in their steps, as he’s got the abilities and the image to cause a bigger impact if he decided to do it, but instead he wants to prove himself in Europe for as long as he can, especially if its in the most competitive European league.

 

Who is the player that won’t follow in their steps?

Marcelo Flores currently is one of the biggest Mexican promises in Europe, as he’s become a starter with Arsenal’s U-23 squad with just 18 years and is currently seen training with Mikel Arteta and the senior squad of the Gunners.

He’s even been linked to FC Barcelona, as Xavi wants to build a squad around young players that could help the Blaugranas return to the top of Europe, just like they did when Xavi was still a player. And although Gerardo Martino hasn’t giving him a chance of debuting in an official match, Flores is ready to jump at the first opportunity he receives, as he has stated multiple times that his dream is to play for El Tri.

 

Both Mexicans are in the top-10 of highest paid players in MLS

Both players will be part of the top-10 highest paid players in MLS, as Héctor Herrera signed a 3-year contract worth $6.5 million per season, which makes him the second highest paid player in MLS just behind Lorenzo Insigne, who has a guaranteed salary of $12 million per season.

As for Carlos Vela, he got his salary reduced for the 2022 MLS Season, as for the past four seasons with LAFC, he earned $4.5 million guaranteed plus add-ons, which often increased his salary to $6.5 million per season. But now, he got it reduced to $4.2 million with the option of increasing it to max $4.5 million. Still, he maintains himself as one of the highest paid players in MLS.

More Mexico National Team news:

Atletico Madrid star Hector Herrera joins MLS's Houston Dynamo at the end of the season


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