Los Niños Heroes: Ego, Alcohol, Mismanagement, and Missed Opportunities
In 2011 a group of young Mexican players helped a country battered by the ongoing Cartel War find joy and hope. Los Ninos Heroes won the U17 Fifa World Cup on home ground and swept the MVP awards. Unfortunately, their careers didn’t pan out as they had hoped.
Julio Gomez- Golden Ball
Two years before Raul Jimenez’s Chilena shook the Azteca, and another Chilena shook Torreon. Julio Gomez sealed Mexico’s comeback against Germany in the 89th minute and sent his team to the final. La Momia, whose name comes from the bandage he was wearing on his head due to injury, instantly gained legend status after that game. After defeating Uruguay in the final, Gomez won the tournaments Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. From humble beginnings, his skill, talent, and work ethic seemed to have him on the fast track to stardom. However, as in many cases, local media over-inflated him, and he lost his footing. At 19, he was loaned to Chivas, where he began partying, and his ego grew, add to that his family’s ambition, and he became unapproachable unless the price was right. Seven loan spells later, La Momia is in search of a team a shell of his former self, a complete loss of a bright future.
Jonathan Espericueta- Silver Ball
Espericueta had a great tournament that culminated in a Goal Olimpico in that epic game versus Germany. Even before the tournament Espericueta was already making waves at the youth ranks in Tigres, his ball control, touch, pinpoint passes, and ability to control the game from midfield made him standout. After his impressive World Cup performance, he returned to Tigres, where, under media and fan pressure, El Tuca brought him up to the first team, but forewarned him that he wouldn’t see the field. He was buried in the bench, looking for an opportunity to play. He continued to shine in his time with the inferior squad and with the u-20 national team, but was labeled by Ferretti as a young player who lacked maturity. Tigres not only didn’t give him playtime, but refused to sell him, with teams like Chivas, Manchester United, and even Barcelona rumored to be interested. At age 19, he was loaned to Villareal B but only played nine games. Upon his return to Mexico, he was loaned to Atletico San Luis in the now extinct Liga de Ascenso and is currently playing for Puebla.
Carlos Fierro- Bronze Ball
Fierro scored the first goal for Mexico in the tournament and went on to score a total of four goals overall. Fierro stood out for being quick and mobile with the ball and his ability to lose his defender. He also put high pressure on opponents and could control long passes sent his way. His career seemed to be on the right track as he played 153 games for Chivas scoring 11 games, becoming an essential part of Matias Almeyda’s championship team in his second stint with El Rebano. Fierro was sold to Cruz Azul and later loaned to Morelia, playing a combined 35 games and scoring only one goal. Today, Carlos is playing for the MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes once again under Almeyda.
Three players that brought a country great joy to a country but through bad politics, over-inflated egos, and mismanagement never lived up to their potential or made it to El Tri.
