The American was arguably Club America's best player during its third title win, but is that enough to land a bigger role on the USMNT?
A video emerged shortly after Club America's latest Liga MX triumph and, in it, Alejandro Zendejas was smiling from ear to ear. The smile never left his face as he moved from one family member to the next. One held a U.S. men's national team jersey above his head. Others screamed and then whispered messages of support in his ear. Through it all, though, Zendejas could do little else but smile.
He had reason to. The American had just led Club America to a third-straight Liga MX title, and by saying , that isn't an overstatement. No player had more goal contributions in the playoff run than Zendejas. He scored a huge goal in the pivotal second-leg triumph over Cruz Azul in the semifinal. He netted an even bigger one in the first leg of the final. And then, with the trophy on the line, he assisted Richard Sanchez's stunning Golazo that all but confirmed America as champions. Zendejas had his fingerprints on everything Club America did this winter as he rose to the occasion in ways the club had not seen before.
It's been a period of unmatched success for Club America, and one that Zendejas will feel that he significantly contributed to. He was so often a small piece of the massive puzzle at the Liga MX heavyweight. This winter, though, he showed that he can be more than a piece; he can be a star.
Now comes the unavoidable question facing any player who’s reached this level of success: What’s next? With three consecutive titles to his name — and a starring role in the latest one — has Zendejas reached his ceiling in Liga MX? How does he balance stability with ambition, and with a World Cup on the horizon, which path brings him closer to a regular spot with the USMNT?
As the January transfer window gets going, those are questions Zendejas will have to mull over. Here's a look at what his future could look like over the next few months…
AFPWorking towards the big moment
Anyone who has followed Zendejas' career thus far will have one word to describe it: Rollercoaster.
After coming up through the FC Dallas system, Zendejas made the switch to Chivas in 2016, adopting the club's policy of only playing Mexican players by switching his allegiance to the Mexico national team. He never quite broke through in Guadalajara. A loan to sister club Zacatepec gave him playing time but, in 2020, he made the move to Necaxa on a free transfer. After four years with the club, Chivas let him walk.
He got going at Necaxa, establishing himself in Liga MX. In 2022, Club America came knocking with a $3 million offer, and Zendejas joined another one of Mexico's giants. He played his way into the team, made a controversial switch to the U.S. men's national team and, ultimately, won a lot of trophies. Even so, Zendejas never quite felt like the guy at America, a club that is routinely among the best in this region. He improved each year, scoring five goals in his first season, 11 in his second, and 15 in his third.
This season was emblematic of Zendejas's career as a whole. The USMNT winger suffered a broken leg in July after lunging for a tackle, ruling him out for a two-month period. It didn't slow him down, though, as he returned post-Leagues Cup with a vengeance.
The contributions he made after returning were massive, sealing a defining stretch for the 26-year-old.
AdvertisementGettySpearheading Club America's run
Despite their prior successes, America didn't give themselves an easy route this time around. Due to their eighth-place finish, they had to go through the play-in round, where they'd face Club Tijuana. They escaped, knocking out , 3-2, in a penalty shootout, with Zendejas actually missing a chance to ice it with a failed spot kick.
It was all up from there, though. After helping America ease past Toluca in the quarters, Zendejas came to life in the semifinals, where he scored a crucial goal in the second leg against Cruz Azul. It was a fantastic finish, with the winger passing a shot from just outside the box right into the bottom corner to open the scoring after a 0-0 first leg. They wouldn't look back, winning 4-3 on a last-gasp penalty from Rodrigo Aguirre.
In the two-legged finale, America were matched up against Monterrey, with Zendejas putting in a clear Man of the Match performance in the decisive first leg. His goal and assist in the 2-1 win gave America a clear advantage. In the second leg, he assisted Sanchez's long-range missile that effectively ended the tie.
With two goals and two assists in the final three games, Zendejas was the key figure in America's trophy run. He also became one of just four players to start in all three finals during this generational America run. America have conquered Mexican soccer, and defending their crown will only be more difficult from here. The question is when and if Zendejas will be pried away for his role in making America kings of Liga MX.
Getty Images SportTime for a transfer?
Leaving Liga MX is never easy, for a variety of reasons. It's always been difficult to pry exciting talents away from Mexican heavyweights, who generally set their values and stick to them. For Zendejas, though, there may not be a better time than now to think about what the rest of his career is going to look like.
The American will turn 27 in February and, if there is any desire to ever head to Europe, now would likely have to be the time. His stock likely won't ever be higher and, as he enters his prime, this is the type of moment where a European club might want to take a swing. MLS Multiplex reported last year that teams in Europe were interested, as were teams in South America. That interest will only skyrocket after his trophy-winning performance in December.
Zendejas, though, has indicated that he's happy at America. Last summer, amid reported interest from MLS, he signed a new deal with the Mexican heavyweights to tie his future to the club. It's an indication that Zendejas is comfortable, and who could blame him? It must be nice winning the league every year, right?
If only it were so simple. As always, there's another layer to this: the international game. Zendejas is thriving in Mexico, scoring big goals and winning big trophies. But the reality is this: that might not be enough for him to make his mark on the USMNT in time for the 2026 World Cup.
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Getty Images SportThe USMNT factor
Zendejas is unlucky, in a way. He has several superstars in front of him at his position and, even with his success, it'll be near impossible to unseat them.
On the left wing, Christian Pulisic isn't going anywhere. Barring an injury, Pulisic is the guy for the USMNT, and he will be for a very long time. On the other side is Tim Weah, a player who plays at a high level in Europe with Juventus. Injuries have hit him hard lately, but, when healthy, Weah's ability to change a game in the USMNT's favor has always been clear.
Right now, Zendejas finds himself on a level behind those two, fighting several others for minutes in the attack. Brenden Aaronson is thriving for Leeds and could soon be back in the Premier League. Gio Reyna has struggled, but everyone knows the talent he has. Malik Tillman is fighting for minutes in the attack, too, while Yunus Musah has also proven to be a wide option.
Zendejas has shown flashes, though. Since making his controversial switch back to the USMNT in 2023, he's earned 11 caps, scoring his lone goal in a CONCACAF Nations League win over Grenada back in March 2023. By and large, though, he's been a substitute option.
His effort and fight, somewhat literally, were on display in Guadalajara in the USMNT's 2-0 loss to Mexico. He showed no fear in that match, which certainly will have endeared him to Mauricio Pochettino on an otherwise frustrating night. He came off the bench late in both wins over Jamaica in November, though, meaning he wasn't given much time to show what he can do.
Time is running out to do that. With just a year and a half remaining before the World Cup, Zendejas is fighting for a place and, despite his club successes, that fight won't be easy.