Mexico and Argentina

[ChrisE]

I'd like to preface this by saying that I'm not trying to be provocative, I just think this is the best arena to have my question answered. And, if I'm bringing up a tired old subject, I'd be happy if people would just point me in the correct direction.

Pretty much throughout all of recent history, Argentina has been better at soccer than Mexico, by any standard I'm familiar with. What was particularly surprising to me was that, recently perusing MFL stats, there are more Argentine top goalscorers than Mexicans.

This doesn't seem to be a natural conclusion, however. Mexico and Argentina are about equally fanatical about the sport (aren't they?). Mexico and Argentina have about the same per capita income. Mexico and Argentina both have well-established leagues that presumably should train talented players about as well. And, most of all, Mexico has a population two and a half times the size of Argentina's.

Is there any popular conclusion about why Argentina has the better team? Besides there existing a greater focus on training and exporting players in Argentina than in Mexico, I can't come up with much of anything.

[Various Styles]

Is there any popular conclusion about why Argentina has the better team?Argentina developed as a footy nation first and thus soccer has been their main sport ever since. Mexico didnt really catch on untill the 50's and even then there were other more popular sports like Bullfighting, Boxing, Wrestling and in the northern states Baseball which is still the prefered sport. There is an old saying in Mexican footy and its that we are 20yrs behind the developed soccer nations and in many ways this is true.


Besides there existing a greater focus on training and exporting players in Argentina than in Mexico, I can't come up with much of anything.Our players have become too complacent and thus many times they dont really develope to their full potential. Instead of going to the top leagues to play against the best, the Mexie players stay at his home club were 90% of the time they arent challanged for their spot in the starting eleven..

[Dos Equis]

I'd like to preface this by saying that I'm not trying to be provocative, I just think this is the best arena to have my question answered. And, if I'm bringing up a tired old subject, I'd be happy if people would just point me in the correct direction.

Pretty much throughout all of recent history, Argentina has been better at soccer than Mexico, by any standard I'm familiar with. What was particularly surprising to me was that, recently perusing MFL stats, there are more Argentine top goalscorers than Mexicans.

This doesn't seem to be a natural conclusion, however. Mexico and Argentina are about equally fanatical about the sport (aren't they?). Mexico and Argentina have about the same per capita income. Mexico and Argentina both have well-established leagues that presumably should train talented players about as well. And, most of all, Mexico has a population two and a half times the size of Argentina's.

Is there any popular conclusion about why Argentina has the better team? Besides there existing a greater focus on training and exporting players in Argentina than in Mexico, I can't come up with much of anything.
Mexico imports quite a few players and does not export enough.(however many leagues in Europe import about the same amount or even more) The Argies on the other hand export many of their players. Thatsthe main reason right there. Also like VS said, "Futbol in Mexico didn't get popular until the 50's" While in Argentina it had already been popular. That's all I can really think of right now.

[G D L]

This doesn't seem to be a natural conclusion, however. Mexico and Argentina are about equally fanatical about the sport (aren't they?). I would say Argentines are more fanatical....we dont kill people or anything in Mexico (i'm not trying to incite anyone's wrath here) and we havent had the idols to admire as our own like they do (Di Stefano, Maradona, Batistuta....) so our kids ultimate goal is maybe to be like Hugo Sanchez NOW, but before him, i wouldn't call many mexicans WORLD class, and dont get me wrong Hugol was GREAT in his time, but he still wasnt close to being a world wide soccer icon so many argentines have been...he was only huge in Mexico and Spain (which is no small achievement)


Mexico and Argentina have about the same per capita income. Mexico and Argentina both have well-established leagues that presumably should train talented players about as well. And, most of all, Mexico has a population two and a half times the size of Argentina's.

Is there any popular conclusion about why Argentina has the better team? Besides there existing a greater focus on training and exporting players in Argentina than in Mexico, I can't come up with much of anything
You can make that arguement for almost any country vs Argentina. USA has like 7 times argentinas population, and like 3 times the per capita GDP and is far behind Argentina as well, granted that Soccer in the US is no more that 20 years old.

Also, as far a player development goes, Mexicans dont really get a shot in mexico precisely b/c gedy directivos would rather get a proven player in south america NOW than produce a player over five years... while in Argentina they are light years ahead in the fuerzas basicas arena, Boca Juniors' fuerzas basicas program is second only to the world's elite: Ajax.

[Various Styles]

so our kids ultimate goal is maybe to be like Hugo Sanchez NOW, but before him, i wouldn't call many mexicans WORLD class, and dont get me wrong Hugol was GREAT in his time, but he still wasnt close to being a world wide soccer icon so many argentines have been...he was only huge in Mexico and Spain (which is no small achievement)
What ? Hugol not an Icon !!! You know how many players have imitated his goal celebration.. You know how many strikers he inspired World Wide. His Chilenas and Scissorkicks are second to none. The pentatpichichi aint no joke, Romario not even Ronaldo have equaled that feat, check yo self foo..


in Argentina they are light years ahead in the fuerzas basicas arena, Boca Juniors' fuerzas basicas program is second only to the world's elite: Ajax.
I wouldnt say light years but their players are more willing to take a risk abroad.. Alot has to do with their leagues lack of proper funds.. And keep in mind that for every Argie that makes it there are twenty that didnt. I would also like to note that more and more Mexiecan players have been willing to play abroad. De Nigris, Santiago Fernandez and Inigop Rey are good examples..

[sidspaceman]

so our kids ultimate goal is maybe to be like Hugo Sanchez NOW, but before him, i wouldn't call many mexicans WORLD class, and dont get me wrong Hugol was GREAT in his time, but he still wasnt close to being a world wide soccer icon so many argentines have been...he was only huge in Mexico and Spain (which is no small achievement)

Well I'm not Mexican or Spanish but I have always been a huge Hugo fan and you are wrong if you don't think he was huge world wide.

[Dos Equis]

I would say Argentines are more fanatical....we dont kill people or anything in Mexico (i'm not trying to incite anyone's wrath here) and we havent had the idols to admire as our own like they do (Di Stefano, Maradona, Batistuta....) so our kids ultimate goal is maybe to be like Hugo Sanchez NOW, but before him, i wouldn't call many mexicans WORLD class, and dont get me wrong Hugol was GREAT in his time, but he still wasnt close to being a world wide soccer icon so many argentines have been...he was only huge in Mexico and Spain (which is no small achievement)

Hugo is GOD. Maradonna is a crack addict. See the difference?

[LMvCP]

What ? Hugol not an Icon !!! You know how many players have imitated his goal celebration.. You know how many strikers he inspired World Wide. His Chilenas and Scissorkicks are second to none. The pentatpichichi aint no joke, Romario not even Ronaldo have equaled that feat, check yo self foo..



I wouldnt say light years but their players are more willing to take a risk abroad.. Alot has to do with their leagues lack of proper funds.. And keep in mind that for every Argie that makes it there are twenty that didnt. I would also like to note that more and more Mexiecan players have been willing to play abroad. De Nigris, Santiago Fernandez and Inigop Rey are good examples..
All I know is a chinaman once said to me "gou zanqyes" I didnt know what he was trying to say. But then imitated his celebration. he didnt do the flip he basically just bent at the hips and popped right up and lifted his 2 arms. I knew EXACTLY what he was talking about. It was as if I understood Puton Ghua and could spell pinyin

[Mosco]

LOL I'm sorry bad that was funny and cold at the same time!!!

[JC7rox]

For anyone to even mention Hugo Sanchez in the same sentence as Maradona is ludicrous. Crackhead or not, Maradona was the greatest. Have you ever heard, outside of Mexicans, anyone cite Hugo as the greatest ever?

[Dos Equis]

For anyone to even mention Hugo Sanchez in the same sentence as Maradona is ludicrous. Crackhead or not, Maradona was the greatest. Have you ever heard, outside of Mexicans, anyone cite Hugo as the greatest ever?
Shut up Troll!!!

[JC7rox]

Shut up Troll!!!

Reply with intelligence, not insults.

[Ricky_DCU]

I doubt many would consider Hugo the greatest ever, but he was definitely known worldwide, and not just a star in Mexico and Spain.

I think it's in Eduardo Galeano's book "Soccer in Sun and Shadow" where he tells a story of two Mexican journalists trying to sneak into Sarajevo during the war who encounter trouble from some soldiers who seem about to shoot the journalists until they get the idea to show them their passports. Once they do, the soldiers lower their guns and hug the journalists, shouting "Mexico! Hugo Sanchez!"

[Dos Equis]

Reply with intelligence, not insults.
Maradonna used steoriods (aka: an unfair advantage over other players) Did Hugo Sanchez ever use steoroids? no Hugo may not have been teh best ever but he was ********ing good.

[sidspaceman]

You got it right Ricky that was a great little story.

[JC7rox]

Maradonna used steoriods (aka: an unfair advantage over other players) Did Hugo Sanchez ever use steoroids? no Hugo may not have been teh best ever but he was ********ing good.

Never questioned Hugo as being a good player, just saying he is not in Maradona's league. And, where did you get these steroid claims? Last I heard, he was addicted to cocaine, not an "unfair advantage over other players." Plus, who are we to say that Hugo, or any other player for that matter, wasn't on the same "high." Did you ever train with him?

[Pottermaniac]

I think Hugo is the greatest ever, the only reason he didn't shine as maradona in Mexico 86, is because maradona had a full team that could keep up with his level of playing and Hugo was unique in the Mexican team, and he showed it, because everywhere else he suceed and even though his teamates weren't as good as he was in 86 they still made it to the finals.

Hugo is a GOD, not just as a player, but also as a DT, look at movie who would have thought they would get that far?

Where is Maradona now?

I've made my point.

and dont get me wrong i still like Maradona, but not more that Hugo.

[sidspaceman]

Never questioned Hugo as being a good player, just saying he is not in Maradona's league. And, where did you get these steroid claims? Last I heard, he was addicted to cocaine, not an "unfair advantage over other players." Plus, who are we to say that Hugo, or any other player for that matter, wasn't on the same "high." Did you ever train with him?


He got banned from the 1994 World Cup because of ephedrine a banned stimulant.

[JC7rox]

Exactly what is your point? That your opinion is that Hugo is God. Hugo was a great player, but not like Maradona. Sure, the Mexico team wasn't up to his level, but it was still the best players the country had to offer. What about what Maradona did at Napoli? He took a second, third-rate even, team from the celler to the top of the Seria A. Now that is a feat. I'm not dissing Hugo, not in the least, but c'mon, who are we all kidding here?

[LMvCP]

Reply with intelligence, not insults.
For anyone to even mention Hugo Sanchez in the same sentence as Maradona is ludicrous. Crackhead or not, Maradona was the greatest. Have you ever heard, outside of Mexicans, anyone cite Hugo as the greatest ever?
You dont have to hear it from the Mexicans.

You can listen to what Arrigo Sacchi said about him and other famous coaches.

Here is a quote from Ramon Mendoza in his autobiography DOS PELOTAS Y UN BALON (Real Madrid ex President), "ha sido el rematador mas importante del futbol europeo en las ultimas decadas"

Here is what Luis Aragones (spanish coach) had to say about him, "Es el mejor jugador que dirigi en mi vida, nadie se saco mas provecho de si mismo que Hugo; era un profesional y ganador las 24 horas del dia"

Johan Cryuff said the following "Era imposible cazarlo"

Menotti said, "Hugo esta en la historia de los grandes goleadores del mundo"


but you know what is more amazing, was an interview Hugo gave in 1985 when he was recently hired by Real Madrid, "Voy a triunfar en el Real Madrid. No tengo dudas. Siempre quise jugar aqui, y ahora que lo logro voy hacer historia"