Santi Gimenez headlines Mexico squad as Raul Jimenez omitted from October friendlies

AC Milan star Santi Gimenez leads the line

Mexico’s October squad has been announced, and the headline news is clear: AC Milan striker Santi Gimenez is front and center, while long-time talisman Raúl Jiménez has been left out. For Javier Aguirre, this is a chance to refresh El Tri’s options ahead of friendlies against Colombia and Ecuador, while also sending a clear message that the new generation is beginning to take the spotlight.

At 23, Gimenez has quickly grown from a promising youngster into one of Mexico’s most reliable forwards. His move to Serie A giants AC Milan was seen as a bold step, but he has already settled in, showing sharp finishing and the confidence of a striker in form. For fans, his inclusion in the October squad is no surprise—he’s the player they want leading the line as the national team looks toward the next cycle of competitive fixtures.

Raul Jimenez omitted from the squad

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What raised eyebrows, though, was the omission of Raúl Jiménez. The Fulham striker has been part of Mexico’s national team setup for over a decade and remains in pursuit of Javier “Chicharito” Hernández’s all-time scoring record. Many expected him to be named, even in a friendly context, given his pedigree and experience.

Yet Aguirre opted to leave him out. The decision might be tactical, or it could be down to giving other players minutes, but it has sparked debate back home. Some argue that Jiménez, at 34, has little left to prove. Others believe that with a World Cup on the horizon, Mexico cannot afford to overlook one of its most proven attackers.

Whatever the reasoning, Jiménez’s absence is the talking point. For now, his chase of Chicharito’s record will be put on hold.

Edson Álvarez and Julián Araujo also missing

Raúl Jiménez isn’t the only notable absentee. Captain Edson Álvarez, now playing for Fenerbahce, misses out due to injury. The midfielder picked up a muscle problem during the September window against Japan and is still working back to full fitness. His absence will be felt, as Álvarez is widely regarded as the heartbeat of this Mexico side.

Julián Araujo, another European-based player, has also been left out, along with veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Ochoa’s omission signals yet another hint that Aguirre is beginning to look toward the future, giving other keepers valuable experience in high-profile matches.

Key inclusions in Aguirre’s 25-man squad

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The 25-man roster does bring some exciting call-ups. Alexis Gutiérrez, Kevin Álvarez, and Luis Romo all feature, while goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo returns to the setup. These inclusions suggest Aguirre is rewarding club form while also widening his player pool.

Gutiérrez, currently impressing with Club América, has been in sparkling form and looks ready to fight for a long-term place in the national team. Kevin Álvarez, meanwhile, was drafted in after Rodrigo Huescas’ unfortunate ACL injury, which will sideline him for several months.

Luis Romo’s inclusion is also notable. The midfielder has been in and out of the squad in recent years, but Aguirre clearly sees value in his physical presence and ability to cover multiple roles.

Up front, Giménez is joined by Hirving Lozano, César Huerta, Alexis Vega, Diego Lainez, and Germán Berterame. Julián Quiñones also makes the cut, adding further attacking variety.

Mexico’s full squad for October friendlies

Goalkeepers: Luis Ángel Malagón, Raúl Rangel, Carlos Acevedo
Defenders: Kevin Álvarez, Israel Reyes, Mateo Chávez, Ramón Juárez, Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo
Midfielders: Carlos Rodríguez, Orbelín Pineda, Alexis Gutiérrez, Erick Sánchez, Erik Lira, Luis Romo
Forwards: Santiago Giménez, Julián Quiñones, Germán Berterame, Hirving Lozano, César Huerta, Alexis Vega, Diego Lainez

It’s a squad that blends the established names with players hoping to stake a claim for more permanent roles.

Mexico’s October fixtures

El Tri will play two matches during the FIFA international window. First up is Colombia on Saturday, October 11, at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Just three days later, on Tuesday, October 14, Mexico return home to Guadalajara to face Ecuador at Estadio Akron.

Both games are seen as important tests against strong South American opposition. While results in friendlies may not always carry weight, the performances and individual displays certainly will. With competition for World Cup spots already in mind, Aguirre will be closely watching how his players adapt.

A squad in transition

This latest squad announcement underlines that Mexico are in a period of transition. The absence of experienced names such as Raúl Jiménez, Edson Álvarez, Guillermo Ochoa, and Julián Araujo signals that the coaching staff are experimenting, giving chances to others.

At the same time, young stars like Santi Giménez are expected to carry greater responsibility. It’s a delicate balance: building for the future while ensuring the team remains competitive in the present.

What the friendlies mean for Mexico’s future

These October games may be labelled as friendlies, but for Aguirre, they are valuable opportunities to test different combinations, assess depth, and continue shaping his squad ahead of major tournaments.

The decision to headline with Giménez while leaving out Jiménez will be scrutinized, but it reflects the wider story: Mexico are moving into a new era. The question is how quickly this new generation can grow into leaders on the international stage.

Final thoughts

As Mexico prepare for Colombia and Ecuador, all eyes will be on Santi Giménez. Can he take the step from rising star to established leader of El Tri’s attack? His performances in these games could go a long way toward answering that question.

Raúl Jiménez’s omission will continue to spark debate, but Aguirre has made his call. The October window is about looking forward, not back. For fans, it’s a chance to see the next wave of talent push for places and prove they belong alongside Mexico’s established stars.

One thing is certain: with fixtures in Texas and Guadalajara, the support will be loud, the expectations high, and the spotlight firmly fixed on Giménez and Mexico’s evolving squad.