Liga MX teams have had an extensive track record of dealing with Argentine clubs, specifically with the most successful teams in the country Boca Juniors and River Plate. Los Xeneizes and Los Millonarios will dispute the Copa Libertadores final beginning this Saturday and here are the five ex-Liga MX players that will feature in this Superclasico final.
Dario Benedetto
The Argentine striker rose to fame in the Liga MX with Xolos as he scored 21 goals in 43 appearances with the border city side from 2013-2015. “Pippa” then moved to one of the biggest teams in Mexico, Club America, where he was a solid forward and was part of two CONCACAF Champions League titles before making his move to Los Xeneizes. Benedetto is coming off an injury that has kept him sidelined for most of the Superliga Argentina season, but came back as strong as ever. “Pippa” was crucial in the Copa Libertadores semifinal matchup against Palmeiras as he scored three goals to lead Boca Juniors to the final.
Paolo Goltz
Goltz was a teammate of Dario Benedetto at Club America as the centre-back played with Las Aguilas from 2014-2017. The Argentine defender made over 100 appearances with the Mexico City team and was a key player in America’s 2014 Apertura Liga MX title-run. The 33-year-old made his move to Boca Juniors in 2017, but has not been a consistent starter this season with Carlos Izquierdoz and Lisandro Magallan as the starting centre-backs.
Carlos Izquierdoz
Speaking of Izquierdoz, the 29-year-old defender played in the Liga MX with Santos Laguna from 2014-2018. The former Santos Laguna captain was a vital player for Los Guerreros as he was crucial in two Liga MX championship teams, including a recent 2018 Clausura title before his move to La Azul y Oro. Izquierdoz has been a key figure in Boca Juniors’ backline as he continues to be a consistent starter and a leader for the team.
Edwin Cardona
The Colombian playmaker has been a controversial figure because of his fiery personality, but his talent is just as notable as well. Cardona was a spectacle in the Liga MX with Monterrey before eventually losing his starting role and being loaned out to Boca Juniors last year. The Medellin native is not a consistent starter for Los Xeneizes, but can be a very dangerous and exciting player when he steps on the pitch.
Ignacio Scocco
The 33-year-old forward was in the Liga MX a decade ago as he played with Pumas UNAM from 2006-2008 before making a move to AEK Athens in Greece. Scocco has been a journeyman since then even playing with Sunderland in England, but maintained stability with Newell’s Old Boys before his move to River Plate in 2017. The Experienced forward was solid for Los Millonarios last season, but has fallen off a bit this year with other players stepping up in the attack.
