Another much-hyped Mexico prospect leaves Europe to join Tigres

Marcelo Flores was a highly touted prospect at Arsenal, but has now headed to Liga MX

The hype around Marcelo Flores at this time last year was growing exponentially.

A rising star in Arsenal’s academy, Flores earned the first of his three senior caps with Mexico at age 18. He then made the bench for the Gunners senior team for the first time in April 2022.

After fully committing his international future to Mexico over Canada and England, there was even talk of Flores making a late bid for a World Cup roster spot with El Tri.

But following a difficult loan spell with Spanish second division side Real Oviedo last season, Flores is following a path that other much-hyped Mexican prospects have traveled recently.

On Sunday, the 19-year-old’s transfer from Arsenal to Tigres was confirmed. The Evening Standard reported that the fee was Β£2 million.

Flores marks the third young Mexican to leave Europe and sign with Tigres just this year.

Diego Lainez, who like Flores has at times over the years been considered a future superstar, joined Tigres on loan in January. He was followed by Eugenio Pizzuto, who spent time with Lille and Braga before returning home to Mexico this summer.

All three players were 22 or younger when making the move to Tigres.

Amid some criticism of the transfer, Tigres manager Robert Siboldi defended Flores by insisting that the move was driven by the desire for playing time, not money.

Siboldi added that he would not consider the transfer to be a setback for Flores.

β€œHe comes to earn his place, he is very motivated and I am very happy [to sign] a young man with experience, with training from other places that is supposed to be more demanding,” Siboldi told a press conference.

β€œWhy don’t we see everything that can arise? A player comes to Mexico because something has happened, they haven’t had the minutes they wanted. They have the desire to play above the economic aspect.

β€œThey can be at Real Madrid, at Manchester United and not play … it doesn’t mean that if they come to Tigres, Rayados or any team from Mexico that it’s a setback.”

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