Gil Marín Envisions a Bright Future for Mexican Football
Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, CEO of Atlético de Madrid, has expressed his optimistic vision for the future of Mexican football during his visit to Mexico. Gil Marín believes that the Mexican league has the potential to become one of the most important worldwide, specifically the fourth, provided that significant adjustments are made to its structure.
In his opinion, it is crucial that teams prioritize the interest of fans and the competition as a whole, rather than focusing solely on individual success. With a fan base exceeding 180 million, including residents in the United States, Mexico has an unparalleled advantage in terms of popular support.
Gil Marín, who is also a director of San Luis in Mexico, participated in the Sports Summit in Mexico City, where he highlighted the ability of Mexican football to reinvent itself and grow.
Regarding the 2026 World Cup, Gil Marín lamented the limited participation of Mexican stadiums, mentioning that the lack of infrastructure and investment are key factors.
Other Mexican football executives, such as Jorge Hank (Tijuana) and Mauricio Culebro (Tigres), also addressed the possibility of reintroducing promotion and relegation, although they acknowledged that the right conditions do not yet exist for it.
Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, highlighted the importance of the Mexican market for Spanish football, highlighting the large number of fans in Mexico and the United States. The Sports Summit concluded with debates on the challenges of Mexico as a host of the 2026 World Cup and the presentation of a sculpture of Hugo Sánchez.
