Reports have surfaced over the weekend that Alvaro Fidalgo has agreed to represent Mexico after he received his Mexican passport. For a long time fans had been asking the Spaniard to make the one-time
switch but he was adamant to want to play for his home country. Things have changed and it looks like the midfielder will be called-up to represent Mexico in the first FIFA window of 2026.
Alvaro Fidalgo developed in Real Madrid’s La Fabrica but he never made his LaLiga debut. He did make a late match appearance during a Copa del Rey game but never again did he receive any minutes with the senior team. Fidalgo must have seen the writing on the wall that he would not debut with the senior team and that was why he left Real Madrid and signed with another second division team two years later. After only half a season with Castellón, Fidalgo made the surprise move to the other side of the world as he signed with Club América of Liga MX all thanks to Santiago Solari.
Santiago Solari was the manager of Real Madrid for a year before he was sacked. During his tenure, he was the one who gave Alvaro Fidalgo his debut in a Copa del Rey match. After he was fired Solari left Spain and headed to Mexico to coach Club América. Only two months after he was brought on, Solari gave a call to the Spanish youngster he never forgot about and asked Fidalgo to join him in Mexico. The then 23-year-old took his chance to play first division football and went on loan with the Aguilas until his move became permanent a few months later. While Solari only lasted a short time in Mexico City, the decision to call-up Alvaro Fidalgo had been the best decision for the club and possibly for Mexico.
When reports first surfaced of the Spaniard’s switch, many celebrated this move but fans shouldn’t celebrate yet as there’s still steps that need to be taken to make it official. On Liga MX’s official website Fidalgo is listed as Mexican but he still occupies a foreigner spot because, according to FIFA rules, he needs to remain in Mexico for five years. That requirement will be completed in February 2026, just in time for the March FIFA window and the World Cup. As long as he doesn’t change his mind between now and then everything should be fine. However he could decide to not make the switch and that wouldn’t be a surprise since he has stated multiple times in the past that he has held out hope to represent Spain.
(At the 4:15 mark he talks about possibly playing for Mexico.)
(At the 35 second mark he makes a declaration his desire to represent Spain.)
Just like with Real Madrid, it looks like Fidalgo has seen the writing on the wall that he might just never get the chance to play for Spain. Spain has a plethora of talented midfielders and it doesn’t look like he will break into the team, especially since he’s nearing 30-years-old and the current Spanish midfield is younger than him. While he may not break through with his home country, Mexico would benefit from having his talent. There’s a reason why they call him ‘maguito’ or the magician. He has become a vital piece for América’s midfield and he could transfer his play to the national team alongside Gilberto Mora, Marcel Ruiz, Obed Vargas and others. As long as he says yes, there’s nothing wrong with calling him up and experimenting with him. Mexico has nothing to lose so they might as well test it out. So Mexico fans, what do you say, should Javier Aguirre call-up Alvaro Fidalgo to play for Mexico?
