The ex-Premier League stars who played in Mexico as Anthony Martial follows in their footsteps
Anthony Martial made his debut for Monterrey on 21 September as he became the latest former Premier League player to head to Mexico.
Since the departure of striking greats such as Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, Old Trafford has beckoned for a potent striker up top, with Rasmus Hojlund now on loan at Napoli from Man United.
The Dane desperately struggled after being touted as Europe’s next big thing, as Benjamin Sesko failed to score once again in Man United’s 2-1 win over Chelsea.
The Slovenian has not hit the ground running in Manchester, as he could face the same fate as Martial, who flopped despite being teed up as a once-in-a-generation forward.
Football Insider looks at the ex-Premier League stars who have played in Mexico during their careers as the Frenchman flees to the other side of the world following an underwhelming career.
Vincent Janssen – Tottenham/Monterrey (2019-2022)
Tottenham fans will be overly familiar with the Dutchman who endured a shambolic time in north London.
The forward joined Spurs back in July 2016 and was abysmal in his short-lived stint in the Premier League, scoring just twice in 31 appearances in three campaigns.
He found himself shipped off to Martial’s new home where he netted just 15 times in 77 matches as he backed up his torrid spell with Spurs.
Keylor Navas – Nottingham Forest/Pumas UNAM (July 2025-present)
Once the highly sought after goalkeeper of Real Madrid and PSG, the Costa Rican also briefly featured on-loan for Nottingham Forest during the 2023-24 season.
Keylor Navas featured 17 times in the English top-flight (as of 23 September), keeping just one clean sheet before returning to the Parisians.
Returning to his home continent, the number one now plays for Mexico City’s Pumas UNAM where he has kept three clean sheets in his first seven appearances in the Liga MX.
Javier Hernandez – Man United/West Ham/Guadalajara (January 2024-present)
Having won three major trophies during his time with United as well as playing for West Ham, the Mexico international returned to the club where it all started in January 2024.
Now 27-years-old, “Chicharito” is arguably one of the greatest Mexican players to have graced the game as he begins to slow down for retirement with his boyhood side.
Javier Hernandez scored 37 times in 103 league appearances for the Red Devils between 2010-2015 and sits second behind Raul Jimenez as the top Mexican goalscorer in the English top-flight.
James Rodriguez – Everton/Club Leon (January 2025-present)
When Everton announced the shock signing of James Rodriguez back in September 2020 the footballing world was shocked.
Carlo Ancelotti’s bizarre stint on Merseyside attracted the Colombian who became something of a cult hero to the Toffees.
The ex-Real Madrid wonderkid scored six goals and notched eight assists in 26 appearances in all competitions in his sole season at Goodison Park.
Rodriguez now plays his football at Club Leon where he has 10 goal involvements in 26 matches across all tournaments (as of 23 September).
Aaron Ramsey – Arsenal/Pumas UNAM (July 2025-present)
Arsenal sensation Aaron Ramsey has suffered with various injury problems throughout his career which ultimately prevented him from reaching his full potential.
The Wales international made 262 Premier League appearances for the Gunners between 2008-2019, scoring on 40 occasions and assisting 46 times.
Having won three FA Cups at the Emirates, the 34-year-old then opted to stun fans by leaving humble Cardiff for the hustle and bustle of Mexico City.
The former Juventus midfielder has only mustered 166 minutes so far at his new club (as of 23 September) but got off the mark with a goal in his second game.
Anthony Martial – Man United/Monterrey (September 2025-present)
Once heralded as having the potential to be “one of the best strikers” in the world by former teammate Nemanja Matic (Goal), the Frenchman never lived up to expectations.
Despite enjoying his best goalscoring season in the 2019-20 Covid year with 23 goals and nine assists in all competitions, that was where Martial peaked in nine seasons at United.
Unsuccessful spells at Sevilla and AEK Athens saw the ex-Monaco prodigy try his luck in Mexico at a bizarrely young age of 29-years-old.
The number nine will go down as one of the saddest stories in football history of an outrageous talent that never flourished.