Marcelo Flores and Jana Gutiérrez among the world football promises of 2022

Mexican football has had the greatest projection in the world in recent years. Although success in the absolute team does not usually translate this presence, the participation of young players in international tournaments is one of the areas in which the country has excelled. In that sense, Marcelo Flores and Jana Gutiérrez were considered in the list of the 50 promises of football around the world.

The football media outlet Goal announced its 2022 list of the NXGN (Next Generation) ranking with the 50 and 20 best exponents in the men's and women's sectors, respectively. This edition took into account the participation of those who were born on or after January 1, 2003, and Mexico was represented by two characters who have taken over the media in recent months.

Marcelo Flores was placed on the 48th step of the men's branch. The one born in Ontario, Canada has a triple nationality so, in addition to Mexico, he also has the possibility of representing the maple leaf team, as well as England. Even at the age of 18, he was already considered by Gerardo Martino for the squad of the senior team and is a benchmark in the lower categories of the Tricolor.

Despite his young age, his physical condition, skill and technical ability have allowed him to rise in the lower ranks of Arsenal. His career began in the U15, but over the years he broke through until he was considered in the run-up to the first team of the Premier League, that is, the U23. It is worth mentioning that in each of the divisions that he has participated he has scored, at least one goal.

“Marcelo Flores has already stolen headlines in the mainstream media in Mexico (...) he already wore the colors of the Mexican National Team in the December friendly against Chile and many dream of the possibility of seeing him at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (...) It is likely that he will soon become one of the favorites of the Gunners fans, once he makes the jump to the first team,” considered the specialized media.

On the other hand, Jana Gutiérrez was also considered among the top of the best promises in the women's sector. Unlike Flores, the one born in Mexico City was part of a smaller group, since only 20 players from around the world were taken into account. In that sense, the former player of the Eagles of America and current reference for Tigres was considered in the 15th position.

His beginnings in professional football were lived under the flag of Coapa. Although he had good performances, in June 2021 his arrival to the San Nicolás de los Garza team was made official. At the age of 18 he has already accumulated more than a hundred matches played in the Liga MX, a reflection of his good performance and development. In addition, he won the runner-up with the national team during the U20 Championship held in the Dominican Republic.

“The fact that Jana Gutiérrez played her 100th match in the Liga MX Femenil earlier this year speaks of her confidence and maturity as a footballer (...) a few months ago she arrived in Tigres, the most successful team in the short history of the league and one of the most recognized on the planet. The young international with Mexico is already having a big impact on her new club, consolidating herself as a regular figure in the starting eleven,” the standings read.

Other personalities include the Englishman Jude Bellingham, who plays for Borussia Dortmund; Florian Wirtz, from Bayern Leverkusen and Germany; as well as Spaniard Gavi, from Barcelona. In the case of the category of Jana Gutiérrez, Haitian Melchie Dumornay, from Reims, Maria Fowler, from Montpellier and Australia; as well as Haley Bugeja, from Sassuolo and Malta, are leading.

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