Mexico goalkeeper Luis Malagon ruled out of Copa America due to injury
Mexico’s goalkeeper Luis Malagon will be sidelined for this summer’s Copa America tournament after sustaining a muscular injury. The 27-year-old from Club America is expected to be out of action for up to four weeks, leading to Santos Laguna’s Carlos Acevedo being called up to replace him in Jaime Lozano’s squad.
Both of Mexico’s other goalkeepers in the squad, Julio Gonzalez from Pumas UNAM and Raul Rangel from Guadalajara, had not earned a senior cap prior to this month’s friendlies. Gonzalez, 33, played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Bolivia, while 24-year-old Rangel started in the team’s 4-0 loss to Uruguay.
Mexico’s head coach, Lozano, confirmed Malagon’s injury, stating, “Unfortunately he’s been injured and he had to return to his club. There won’t be enough time for him to recover and take part in the Copa America. We have already spoken to Carlos Avecedo, who will take (Malagon’s) place for the Copa America.”
Acevedo and Malagon have limited senior international experience, with Guillermo Ochoa, who has 150 caps, being the most experienced goalkeeper in the squad. Despite Ochoa’s exclusion from the Copa America preliminary squad, Mexico’s sporting director Duilo Davino emphasized a youth-focused approach for the tournament, looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup.
Mexico will face Brazil in a friendly on June 8 before beginning their Copa America campaign against Jamaica on June 14. They will then play Venezuela on June 26 and Ecuador on June 30 to conclude the group stage matches.
