Can Edson Álvarez lead Mexico to elusive World Cup quarterfinals?

Mexican midfielder Edson Álvarez underwent surgery on his left ankle after getting injured during a match with his club team, Fenerbahce, last February. It kept him sidelined from both his Turkish squad and the Mexican national team.

At times, his participation in this summer’s World Cup was in jeopardy.

But thanks to his resilience, Álvarez will be Mexico’s captain as he plays in his third World Cup. He is one of the key leaders of coach Javier Aguirre’s team that will aim to reach at least the quarterfinals — a feat that has eluded El Tri in the last eight World Cups.

“It’s been a very busy few months for me, with the whole injury issue, but I’ve always believed this and said it publicly: I’m a firm believer that everything that happens in our lives happens for a reason,” Álvarez said. “So, I also dedicated this time to myself to continue growing as a soccer player and as a person.”

Álvarez made his World Cup debut in Russia in 2018 at 20, the youngest player on the roster, competing in all of Mexico’s matches. Four years later in Qatar, he played two matches and was stranded on the bench by Mexico’s coach at the time, Gerardo Martino, against eventual champion Argentina.

Álvarez, known as “El Machín” for his tenacity and courage on the field, endeared himself to fans for his leadership off the field last summer.

The Mexican team, including Aguirre and officials, remained silent ahead of the Gold Cup played in the United States as immigration raids and mass deportations took place throughout the country. Southern California, a key market for El Tri, was among the first areas inundated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

Additionally, President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to bolster the immigration agencies swarming the area.

While Aguirre and team officials avoided questions, Álvarez posted on social media: “I want to send a message of respect and solidarity to all the Latino families in Los Angeles who are facing difficult times today, and especially to my Mexican people. I admire your courage, your hard work, and your determination to get ahead. We stand with you. Don’t lose faith.”

Álvarez has learned how to keep his faith in an array of adverse circumstances.

Early on, he faced extensive criticism for his performances. When he played for Ajax, he was criticized for his “poor ball handling and unorthodox style” by legends such as Wesley Sneijder, who called him “the worst defensive player in the Dutch league.” Álvarez kept working and found himself among the players with the most minutes logged at Ajax, winning the Eredivisie in 2020-21 and 2021-22 as well as the KNVB Cup in 2020-21.

After joining West Ham United, he earned the respect of new Chelsea FC manager Xabi Alonso, who described Álvarez as a “key” player for the English club, noting that he was “good on the ball, aggressive in recovery, likes to get into the air and also has good ball control.” Alonso could pursue signing Álvarez, whose club career is in need of stability.

The 28-year-old just ended his stint with Fenerbahce, which acquired him on loan. His tenure was difficult as injuries prevented him from establishing consistency. West Ham was relegated from the Premier League to the EFL Championship in late May, so the World Cup will be crucial as Álvarez seeks better club opportunities in Europe.

His story reflects the challenges many Mexican players experienced ahead of the World Cup, fighting to rebound from injuries and limited playing time.

Santi Giménez, a forward for AC Milan, isn’t joining Mexico’s World Cup roster at his peak, having undergone surgery in December 2025 and been sidelined for more than four months before returning to the field in mid-March. Mexico lost starting goalkeeper Luis Malagón and midfielder Marcel Ruiz, who didn’t recover from injuries in time to play in the World Cup.

Regardless of the obstacles, Mexican players will face the pressure to perform well as a World Cup host nation and will count on their fans to be their most formidable ally.

“That positive energy, in the end, is contagious. It will rub off on all of us. The fans are like our 12th player — and the most important one,” said Álvarez, a three-time Gold Cup winner and CONCACAF Nations League champion.

Mexico opens the World Cup against South Africa on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, then faces South Korea on June 18 at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. El Tri closes out the group stage against the Czech Republic on June 24 in the Mexican capital.

When asked about the team’s World Cup goals, Mexico’s captain was cautious but ambitious. In a tournament that for the first time will feature 48 teams, Mexico’s challenge remains at least reaching the elusive quarterfinals.

“Clearly, the goal is always in our minds: to reach the knockout stages with Mexico, to be able to compete,” Álvarez said. “… Obviously, that’s our dream and our desire, and we have a lot of faith and are eager to achieve it.”

Despite not being able to participate in El Tri’s crucial matches against Portugal and Belgium during the World Cup preparation phase, Álvarez closely followed his teammates’ performances, and what he saw left him feeling optimistic heading into the tournament. Mexico managed a scoreless draw against Portugal, considered one of the favorites, and a 1-1 draw against Belgium, a team that thrashed the United States 5-2.

“It makes me happy to see how my teammates performed so well against two great teams, and that makes me think we can achieve great things — that we have players with a positive, winning and fighting spirit,” he said.”I believe those are the values that define us as Mexicans. I’m also excited to think about the future, about being there on opening day of the World Cup with thousands of Mexicans.”

Now, having become one of the most experienced leaders on the Mexican national team, the native of Tlalnepantla de Baz has a clear message he wants to convey to young teammates about to compete in their first World Cup.

“It’s something that happens every four years … enjoy it,” he said. “You’ve worked so hard, you’ve earned it on the field and off it as well.”