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Liga MX teams declined to pick up Giovani dos Santos

Remember when Giovani dos Santos was Mexico’s best player and Liga MX teams could only dream of attracting him to their club? It’s a very different time now.

By Antonio Tinajero
Giovani dos Santos being presented with Tottenham Hotspur, along with Luka Modric and Heurelho Gomes. | Credit: Daily Mail
� ALAN WALTER

In May earlier this year, LA Galaxy President Chris Klein spoke at a press conference and assured all that Giovani and Jonathan dos Santos were not for sale. They preceded to then reportedly attempt to pass off Giovani to two Liga MX clubs, both of whom declined, ESPN reporter Eric Gomez said in a tweet.

Yes, you read that right. Giovani dos Santos cannot even get a job in the Liga MX, a league that has brought over many a player past his prime like Ronaldinho, Roque Santa Cruz, Ravel Morrison, Bebeto, Landon Donovan and countless others.

It was never revealed as to who the clubs were, although you would have to think it was one of Mexico’s ‘big’ teams like Monterrey, Tigres, Club America, etc. who would have no need for a washed up version of dos Santos as an attacker with their multitude of options up front already.

Credit: talkSport

Take a look at this picture. This was taken on the same day in 2008 when Giovani dos Santos and Luka Modric were presented as new signings for Tottenham Hotspur. The latter was a relatively unknown prospect from the Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb who is now one of the best midfielders in world football, a four-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, and about to captain his country in their first ever World Cup final in two days time.

The former? A much more promising young player who was coming from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, and who had already won a FIFA U-17 World Cup with Mexico in 2005. Where is he now? On the outskirts of LA Galaxy, unwanted by fans in the Mexican national team and apparently the same goes for Liga MX teams as well.

It’s no secret that dos Santos is in a very bad time in his life, professionally. Fans called for Mexico National Team coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s head after choosing Gio as part of his 2018 World Cup squad over players like Rodolfo Pizarro, who has just had his best season leading Chivas to a 2018 CONCACAF Champions League title.

Germany v Mexico: Semi-Final - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017
Giovani Dos Santos reacts during the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup Semi-Final between Germany and Mexico at Fisht Olympic Stadium on June 29, 2017 in Sochi, Russia.
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

He might be in Los Angeles, but it’s not always sunny for Gio there, either. After making his $7 million deal to move from Villarreal to the States, hopes were high, both from the league and the fans’ perspectives. Yet, in this year’s preseason, ESPN asked 104 MLS players, anonymously, who they thought the most overrated and underrated players in the league are, among other questions. Dos Santos was named the most overrated player with 11 percent of the vote.

Barcelona v Inter Milan - Gamper Trophy
Born in Monterrey, Mexico to former Club America striker Zizinho, Giovani never played a game in Mexico and instead went overseas to FC Barcelona’s youth academy. He was heavily valued as a future jewel of Mexican soccer after winning the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he was awarded the Silver Ball as the second best player of the tournament.
Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Similarly, in our Community Player Ratings poll that we set up after Mexico’s exit in the World Cup, the fans gave Giovani an overall 4.2 rating out of 10.

In his career for the Galaxy, dos Santos has scored 30 goals in 82 appearances. He has two goals in five games this season. For Mexico, dos Santos has scored 22 times in 111 caps.

Can Giovani revitalize his career? Or are his great playing days long behind him? Let us know in the comments below!

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