Brunetta isn't the only one: seven names who could play for Mexico on the road to 2030
Some are already Mexican; others would need to naturalize and meet FIFA's requirements. We review the cases with a public track record and three longer-term possibilities.
Juan Brunetta's talks with the Mexico national team put other potential additions on the table on the road to 2030. Some cases have a public track record, while others are only hypotheses based on residency.
This rundown distinguishes between the two scenarios. Dates are approximate and depend on proving residency, obtaining citizenship and meeting FIFA's sporting eligibility requirements.
1. Juan Brunetta: reported talks, with 2027 as a possible Mexico debut
The Tigres midfielder has reportedly already spoken with the national team manager. He arrived at Santos in 2022 and could reach five years of residency in 2027. To play for Mexico he would need citizenship and a change of association, having represented Argentina at the 2020 U-23 Pre-Olympic Tournament.
2. Luka Romero: Mexican by birth
The Cruz Azul attacker was born in Durango and doesn't need to naturalize. He would need FIFA approval to switch associations, since he played youth competitions for Argentina. His ability to play on the right or behind the striker makes him a profile worth evaluating during the cycle.
3. Nicolás Ibáñez: already naturalized
The Cruz Azul striker received his naturalization papers in 2024. His career in the country began in 2018. Citizenship is no longer an open question: a chance with El Tri would depend on his form and the coaching staff's decision.
4. Rodolfo Rotondi: left the door open
In 2025 he didn't rule out representing Mexico, although he acknowledged that his age made his World Cup aspirations harder. He joined Cruz Azul in July 2022: if he proves the required residency, 2027 would be a benchmark for his potential eligibility. That does not amount to an agreement with the national team.
The next three names are residency-based projections, not presented as moves by the coaching staff.
5. José Paradela: a possibility around 2029
He began his time in Mexico with Necaxa in the 2024 Clausura and now plays for Cruz Azul. If he stays in the country, he could reach five years in 2029. His creativity would make him an interesting profile to study, provided he wanted to obtain citizenship and represent Mexico.
6. Agustín Palavecino: another scenario for 2029
He joined Necaxa in June 2024 and later moved to Cruz Azul. His distribution and versatility in midfield make him a profile worth evaluating. His potential residency path would also point to 2029, contingent on him staying and on his personal decision.
7. Rômulo: the longest-term option
The Brazilian joined Tigres in January 2025. If he maintains his residency, he would reach five years in early 2030. With his ball-winning and ability to also play as a center back, he would be a different profile from the creative players on this list. His inclusion is a hypothesis, not confirmed interest from El Tri.
The seven cases at a glance
| Player | Club | Status | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juan Brunetta | Tigres | Reported talks | 2027 |
| Luka Romero | Cruz Azul | Mexican by birth | FIFA association change |
| Nicolás Ibáñez | Cruz Azul | Naturalized | Already eligible by citizenship |
| Rodolfo Rotondi | Cruz Azul | Left the door open | 2027 |
| José Paradela | Cruz Azul | Residency hypothesis | 2029 |
| Agustín Palavecino | Cruz Azul | Residency hypothesis | 2029 |
| Rômulo | Tigres | Residency hypothesis | 2030 |
Brunetta has reported talks; Paradela, Palavecino and Rômulo are residency-based scenarios. That difference matters: El Tri could broaden its options during the cycle, but not all of these names are currently in a position to receive a call-up.
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