Djaniny Tavares highlights the exodus problem in Liga MX

Djaniny Tavares has left Mexican football champions Santos for Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal. The move of the Liga MX top scorer, who should be considered the best player in Liga MX last season, shows a big problem for Liga MX. It’s not only a problem that Liga MX doesn’t have much spots for Mexican players because of foreign players but now they are losing some of the most talented foreign players.

Before Djaniny left Santos, Pumas UNAM lost their best player in Nicolas Castillo to Benfica. A couple of days after that, it was Morelia who lost their two-time Liga MX leading scorer, Peruvian Raul Ruidiaz, to the Seattle Sounders. Xolos would be next as Gustavo Bou went back to Argentina with Racing Club. While the striker struggled with injuries, when healthy there was no doubt he was the best players in Tijuana. Toluca then lost their Colombian striker Fernando Uribe, who left for Flamengo in Brazil, and finally it was the turn of Liga MX champions Santos.

The Guerreros first lost their star defender Carlos Izquierdoz to Boca Juniors. Izquierdoz had stepped up after Santos lost their National team defender Nestor Araujo to injury, an injury that would cost him the World Cup. Araujo would never return to Santos as he signed with Celta de Vigo, so Izquierdoz was probably counted to remain in his position as the leader in the defense, but his good play brought the attention of Boca Juniors. After losing Izquierdoz, Santos suddenly surprised fans with the news that their star player, Djaniny, was going to Saudi Arabia.

It’s, no doubt, true that Liga MX already relies too much on foreign players, but it not good news that it’s now losing some of its talent, especially when a lot of the talent isn’t leaving to Europe but to leagues at the level or inferior to Liga MX. Most concerning is Ruidiaz’s move to MLS, as Morelia shouldn’t be losing their top player to Major League Soccer. This might mean that Mexico will not only have a problem with MLS trying to lure top Mexican talent away from Europe but now having to be weary of losing their top foreign talent to MLS teams. So far it hasn’t been a good summer for Liga MX talent, which compounds the many problems that Liga MX has either created for themselves or just been unlucky to have coming into the new season.