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Mexico's Midfield Meltdown: Key Player Out for World Cup
14 Mar
Summary
- Starting midfielder Marcel Ruiz tore his ACL, ruling him out of the 2026 World Cup.
- Ruiz's injury follows that of goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagon, also out of the tournament.
- Mexico's midfield depth is severely tested with multiple key players injured.
Mexico's World Cup aspirations have been severely impacted by a critical knee injury to starting midfielder Marcel Ruiz. The 25-year-old suffered a torn ACL and meniscus tear during a Concacaf Champions Cup match, confirming he will miss the 2026 tournament. This setback comes just days after starting goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagon was ruled out with an Achilles tendon tear.
Ruiz had emerged as a vital player for El Tri, considered the best midfielder in Liga MX and a guaranteed starter for the upcoming World Cup. His absence, coupled with injuries to captain Edson Álvarez and concerns over other midfield talents like Gilberto Mora and Luis Chávez, presents a significant challenge for Mexico's coach. The team faces an uphill battle to assemble a competitive midfield with less than 100 days until their tournament debut.
