Early reports on Monday suggest that Super League Greece team Panathinaikos is very close to sign Cruz Azul and Mexico’s National Team winger Uriel Antuna, but what does this move could mean for the 25 year old? The transfer is not done yet as of this writing but there is a lot to unpack on this unexpected news.
Different Football Story
The young winger has made it clear in the last few months his desire to return to European football, where he started his career as a professional (Manchester City and Groningen) but made a move to MLS early in his career (LA Galaxy), and later returned to Liga MX where he became a young star (Chivas and Cruz Azul), and even made Mexico’s squad for the 2022 World Cup. But after a lacklustre performance at the International Joust it was unclear if Antuna could actually make it back to Europe.
It not easy for Mexican footballers to find a formation spot in Europe, so they usually try their best to find a spot in a Liga MX before actually making an attempt to find a team in the Old Continent, which in many cases proves to be an impossible task. That’s why Antuna’s case is actually a refreshing story that could pave the way for a new generation.
Even though it has been incredibly hard for Antuna to find a spot back in Europe, his previous experience makes him an optimal candidate to make the move, even if it’s not to a top league. Which sets and example for many youth Mexican players to leave their domestic leagues early on, and even if they eventually return to Liga MX, for starters, they’ll surely have a starting role in any team, and perhaps after a few seasons they can make the jump back to Europe.
Big Example For Youth Players
Uriel Antuna’s possible move to Greece news comes a few weeks after veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa made an unexpected move to Italy’s Serie A team Salernitana. This sparked many questions as to why are older players taking the risks instead of the Mexican youth, but if Antuna can seal his transfer to Greece, it will encourage young players to look for opportunities in Europe, even though if its in Europe’s “formation” leagues.
It’s well known Liga MX business model never makes it easy for established players to make a move to Europe, but Antuna’s move can bring a different option to the table: Seek opportunities in Europe before even attempting to find a spot in Liga MX.
Mexico’s FMF needs urgently to start looking at an alternative to export talent to Europe, and Antuna’s case may prove to be not only an exceptional case, but a viable alternative.
