Facing Messi is more motivating than MLS, says Piojo Alvarado.

▲ Argentine Lionel Messi will be accompanied by players from Barcelona's glory years. AP Photo

Juan Manuel Vázquez

Sent

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, p. a11

Austin. It's not an official match, but there's something about the MLS All-Star Game that appeals to those it summons as rivals today. Perhaps it's the spectacular and histrionic promotion of American sports culture, or a rivalry between distant neighbors, although what's most appealing these days is the host of players who made their mark on European fields and who bring a newfound interest to the game. And that, truly, is novel and very attractive. Especially due to the presence of the biggest star, Lionel Messi, and a handful of his teammates from his glory years with Barcelona, who today make Inter Miami a soccer event in that country.

This time, the guest and opponent will be the Liga MX star team, which will face the MLS national team for the fourth time. It's true that there's a growing rivalry between a relatively young football team that has gradually established itself in that country and the long-standing Mexican national team, which is wary of the rise of its neighbor.

But there's more to the story, as Roberto Alvarado, the Chivas player chosen by the Mexican league, acknowledges, and as the 19-year-old Pachuca midfielder, Elías Montiel, timidly hints.

There will always be a rivalry to see who has the best players , admits Piojo Alvarado.

They've brought in top-level players who have significantly expanded the American tournament, and today it's a major league in the world. A match like this can help us see who's better; it's not an official duel, but we have to enjoy it , he added.

Alvarado acknowledges that after the change of Chivas coach, right now he'd rather be training with his colleagues from El Rebaño, but he has this commitment and must approach it with all the seriousness that the promotion demands. Suddenly, the mention of one of his rivals, Lionel Messi, completely changes his mind. El Piojo goes from being an adversary to something resembling a privileged fan when he thinks about the meaning of playing against the best footballer of this era. Rivalry is one thing, but rubbing shoulders on the same pitch with a star whose name is recognized everywhere is quite another; it's a luxury even if he's wearing the opponent's jersey.

Which MLS player would I like to face? Well, only Messi , he confesses, like someone revealing a secret, but he knows it's too obvious.

I hope I can face him. Surely everyone would like to swap shirts with Messi, but if I could, obviously I'd love to , he concludes.

Montiel also makes no secret of what it means for a 19-year-old to be able to play alongside a sacred monster like Messi. He's still struggling to process the fact that just a month ago he lined up with Pachuca to face Real Madrid in the Club World Cup and is now representing Liga MX in the MLS All-Star Game.

I've experienced so many things this semester. If someone had told me months ago that I'd be sharing the pitch with the player I admire most, I wouldn't have believed it , says the young midfielder.

Stepping onto the pitch with Lionel Messi is something I'll surely tell everyone about. Every match is motivating, but this one we're playing would surely be something others would love to experience; we're the lucky ones , concludes Elías Montiel.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, p. a11

Argentine club Newell's Old Boy confirmed the departure of Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, a 38-year-old goalkeeper with a winning past at Real Madrid, and his transfer to Pumas for $2 million. This transaction includes compensation of $1.9 million, plus $100,000 in additional costs.

In a statement released on social media, the Rosario club's management reported that Navas' departure was agreed upon based on the conviction of upholding a collective project where commitment, professionalism and respect for the institution's values are non-negotiable pillars , after the player himself asked not to participate in the Leprosos' match against Banfield on Sunday.

Our path is clear: unity, effort, and belonging. Under these values, we will continue working every day to honor the jersey and the sentiment of our people , the document added.

The goalkeeper, who returned to the Costa Rican national team through coach Miguel Herrera in the last Gold Cup, traveled from Rosario, Argentina, to arrive in Mexico City on Tuesday, where he will undergo medical tests and sign his contract. If the administrative procedures are resolved, Navas is expected to make his debut on Friday against Querétaro at Corregidora Stadium.

Alberto Aceves

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, p. a11

As part of an internationalization process that seeks to expand its reach and global presence, Liga MX Femenil announced the creation of an all-star team with players who recorded the best metrics according to the database of the Technological Innovation Center (CITEC) of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), to face three-time Spanish champion Barcelona on August 19 at the Universitario Stadium, as part of the so-called Campeonas Tour 2025.

In selecting the 21 professionals, CITEC considered “more than a thousand variables, data analysis and documents related to their performance in matches, in addition to a selection made for each position that the 18 local clubs presented to the League,” explained the tournament president, Mariana Gutiérrez, while leading a ceremony attended by the club's board member and director, Xavi Puig, and the CEO of Soccer Media, Josi Eshkenazi.

It's important to understand the evolution of women's soccer and what horizons it can reach. Fans have been asking for international platforms for players; this will allow us greater visibility, generate synergies, and compete with the best. What we seek is to challenge traditional rules and models, doing different things that can impact the development and growth of our league , he emphasized.

The squad – with three players chosen by the fans, four distinguished as the best of the 2024 season and two considered surprises – will be led by Tigres coach, Spaniard Pedro Martínez Losa, due to the participation of Monterrey, Pachuca and América in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup .

It was important to have the coaching staff in place in a timely manner, which is why we chose Tigres, which is fourth in the overall Women's League standings , Gutiérrez said.

The most notable category last season, from a universe of 468 professionals, is led by Charlyn Corral (Pachuca), Esthefanny Barreras (Pachuca), Blanca Félix (Guadalajara) and Jacqueline Ovalle (Tigres).

La Liga has a master plan for 2031 , he mentioned. Why go international? Because soccer is global, and there are more and more competitions we can participate in. A comprehensive and detailed plan is being developed to ensure La Liga's sustainability. We want to offer our brands unique products .

▲ Photo @Chivas

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, p. a11

Jalisco native Crescencio Mellone Gutiérrez, born in October 1933, passed away yesterday at the age of 91. He closed out the most successful run of the Rebaño Sagrado team between the 1950s and 1960s by saying goodbye as the last surviving member, the club reported on social media.