{"id":659438,"date":"2025-09-13T11:00:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T15:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=659438"},"modified":"2025-09-13T12:34:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T16:34:47","slug":"anthony-martial-allan-saint-maximin-new-stars-liga-mx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/09\/13\/anthony-martial-allan-saint-maximin-new-stars-liga-mx\/","title":{"rendered":"Anthony Martial, Allan Saint-Maximin Headline New Stars in Liga MX"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Monterrey Rayados made another statement of intent this week with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soyfutbol.com\/en\/news\/Liga-MX-the-jaw-dropping-amount-Rayados-paid-for-Anthony-Martial-from-AEK-20250911-0056.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">4.5 million dollar transfer<\/a> of former Manchester United golden boy <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2017\/03\/03\/anthony-martial-thierry-henry\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Anthony Martial<\/a> from AEK Athens in Greece to the club that describes itself as Mexico&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/07\/02\/what-the-fifa-club-world-cup-meant-for-monterrey-rayados\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">&#8220;most international&#8221;<\/a>. The club is led by captain Sergio Ramos, the hero of Real Madrid, and former Real Betis standout Sergio Canales.<\/p>\n<p>Historically, Liga MX focused on developing Mexican and Latin American talent and transferring players within the region. In recent years, the league has flexed its financial muscle to attract international stars. Brazilian legend Ronaldinho <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/story\/_\/id\/37421764\/ronaldinho-agrees-terminate-queretaro-deal\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">briefly played<\/a> for Queretaro, while former Marseille striker Andr\u00e9-Pierre Gignac <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goal.com\/en-my\/news\/tigres-king-how-gignac-became-mexican-football-legend\/m18g4tyaf9ge1nc7luj5bh2lh\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">became a Tigres UANL icon<\/a>, leading the team to multiple championships since 2015. Other Europeans like J\u00e9r\u00e9my M\u00e9nez with Club Am\u00e9rica and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/07\/24\/c-f-monterrey-sign-tottenham-hotspurs-vincent-janssen\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Vincent Janssen<\/a>, who was a champion at Monterrey, had shorter spells in the league that were impactful.<\/p>\n<h2>All Eyes on Anthony Martial and Allan Saint-Maximin<\/h2>\n<p>Anthony Martial\u2019s arrival at Monterrey, alongside Allan Saint-Maximin joining Club Am\u00e9rica from Newcastle after a stint in the Saudi League and Fenerbahce under Jose Mourinho, has captured attention. Saint-Maximin, known for his speed on the wing, arrived for a $12 million fee and has already scored twice in two games, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/prosoccerwire.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/2025\/08\/25\/atlas-vs-club-america-saint-maximim-winning-goal-on-debut\/85819643007\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">match-winner against Atlas<\/a>. He&#8217;s looking to revitalize his career after a disappointing time in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2232950921\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/2232950921?et=DPGmqrMjSXxUUey5FNUrYg&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=D-KBj31qimeuvSKNWZIOBkDs6T9R4aLwcdjhUMZhYm0=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Martial will be wearing #9 for Rayados, who currently lead the Liga MX table. The former golden boy has 30 caps for France and scored 63 goals for Manchester United. Martial arrives after a stalled period at Sevilla and AEK Athens where he battled injuries and at times, was accused of lacking motivation, he now teams up with Mexican international German Berterame, Monterrey&#8217;s primary striker with 47 goals in three years, in an attack that also features former Marseille and Sevilla standout <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2022\/08\/31\/de-telegraaf-ajax-transfer-lucas-ocampos\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Lucas Ocampos<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>A European Renaissance in Liga MX<\/h3>\n<p>The league has never seen a European influx comparable to the current crop. Spanish players headline this wave. Sergio Ramos has been a stalwart at Monterrey, captaining the club with flair despite his advanced age. He is joined by teammates <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/05\/15\/oliver-torres-liga-mx-monterrey\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Oliver Torres<\/a> (ex-Sevilla), and Canales, who recently scored an <em>olympic goal<\/em> from a corner untouched.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u00a1Gol ol\u00edmpico de CANALES! Es un golazo | Monterrey 2-0 Necaxa | Liga MX - J6 Apertura 2025 | TUDN\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YxEdkWR7_3k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Alvaro Fidalgo of Spain is a top midfielder for Club Am\u00e9rica, while Portugal\u2019s Paulinho (ex-Sporting CP) led Toluca to the latest league title, scoring 29 goals in 43 games. Pachuca features Portugal\u2019s William Carvalho, while Pumas UNAM signed former Arsenal star <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2022\/01\/31\/aaron-ramsey-loan-move-to-scottish-champions\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Aaron Ramsey<\/a>, who at 34 remains pivotal for Wales. Montenegro\u2019s Uros Drudjevic plays a key role at Club Atlas, and Cruz Azul, the most recent CONCACAF Champions, includes Polish midfielder Mateusz Bogusz.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u00a1EXCLUSIVA! Aaron Ramsey habla sobre su llegada a Pumas | Entrevista exclusiva | Liga MX 2025 | TUDN\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uTaXgBEMVOE?start=1&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The transfer of Martial made headlines globally, with coverage in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/sport\/36669981\/anthony-martial-real-madrid-transfer-man-utd\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">English media<\/a>, French, Mexican, and Greek outlets. While Gignac nears retirement and battles for fitness, he paved the way for Europeans in Liga MX, who have also found inspiration by Ramos\u2019 continued success in Monterrey, including his Club World Cup <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/articles\/cy9xvp452eyo\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">performance<\/a>. The World Cup host cities of Monterrey and Mexico City are also internationally attractive destinations for footballers.<\/p>\n<h3>South American Talent Strengthens Liga MX<\/h3>\n<p>Liga MX rivals both the Brazilian league and MLS in spending power, having <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soyfutbol.com\/en\/news\/Antonio-Mohamed-Holds-Nothing-Back-Liga-MX-Tops-Argentinas-League-20250911-0064.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">already surpassed the Argentinian league<\/a> despite no longer participating in the Copa Libertadores. Tigres signed Argentine international <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/08\/21\/leagues-cup-disaster-for-liga-mx-as-messi-less-inter-miami-defeat-tigres\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Angel Correa<\/a> from Atletico Madrid, who was greeted by raucous airport scenes as the new international star in Monterrey, a city that leads Liga MX in attendance consistently. Costa Rica\u2019s legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas is at Pumas, while Uruguay\u2019s goalkeeper Santiago Mele joined Monterrey. Colombia\u2019s two national team goalkeepers Kevin Mier (Cruz Azul), Camilo Vargas (Atlas), and their legendary midfielder James Rodriguez (Club Leon) are also major contributors for their clubs, with Rodriguez driving ticket and jersey sales for Leon, and ensuring the teams games are broadcast in Colombia.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u00a1INCRE\u00cdBLE! ANGEL CORREA COLAPSA el AEROPUERTO a su llegada a TIGRES en la LIGA MX\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1MCGyLiDWhM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Club Pachuca, focused on youth development, features 19-year-old Mexican midfielder Elias Montiel and formerly had Nelson Deossa, a Colombian midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/henryflynn\/2025\/08\/12\/a-real-betis-gemstone-nelson-deossas-path-from-the-mines-to-la-liga\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">who moved to Real Betis<\/a> after a great year at Monterrey. Pachuca replaced Venezuelan international striker Solomon Rondon with Ecuador international <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soyfutbol.com\/en\/news\/Surprise-in-Mexican-Soccer-Pachuca-Signs-Enner-Valencia-in-a-Luxurious-Return-20250912-0062.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Enner Valencia<\/a>, a 35-year-old who has scored 47 goals for Ecuador and scored 18 in 23 games for Pachuca a decade ago. Valencia is no stranger to Liga MX, having spent significant time at Tigres as well and returning with tremendous pedigree from the Brazilian league.<\/p>\n<h3>Liga MX Aims to Expand Further Into U.S. Market<\/h3>\n<p>Unlike MLS, Liga MX has no defined salary cap, and relatively loose restrictions on signing foreign players. Chivas, Mexico&#8217;s second most historic club, remains an exception, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5222598\/2024\/01\/23\/chivas-cade-cowell-usmnt\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">signing only Mexican-eligible players<\/a>. The league is making big moves to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6618473\/2025\/09\/12\/liga-mx-atlas-sale-mls-matches-usa-world-cup\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">expand in the United <\/a>States and is well-positioned to do so given they regularly top tv ratings for football in the country ahead of MLS, which sits behind the Apple TV paywall. The talent added to the league in the past 2 seasons demonstrate this is a golden era for Liga MX, with the top half of its 18 teams fiercely competitive and playoff races close every season.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\ud83d\udd1f:\ud83d\udd1f JAMES RODR\u00cdGUEZ  \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf4\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wWygsCk78Rs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Imago Images Copyright: xMartinxRickettx<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Monterrey Rayados made another statement of intent this week with the 4.5 million dollar transfer of former Manchester United golden boy Anthony Martial from AEK Athens in Greece to the club that describes itself as Mexico&#8217;s &#8220;most international&#8221;. The club is led by captain Sergio Ramos, the hero of Real Madrid, and former Real Betis [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1442,"featured_media":659439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30,2],"tags":[155,3919,432,32521,711,1111,32384,32415,32523,753],"class_list":["post-659438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-featured","tag-aaron-ramsey","tag-allan-saint-maximin","tag-anthony-martial","tag-club-america","tag-enner-valencia","tag-james-rodriguez","tag-liga-mx","tag-monterrey-rayados","tag-pumas","tag-sergio-ramos"],"modified_by":"Steen Kirby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/659438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1442"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=659438"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/659438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":659473,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/659438\/revisions\/659473"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/659439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=659438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=659438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=659438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}