The best 30 players at the World Cup
By James Dudko
26. Hirving Lozano, winger, Mexico
An impressive 22 goals and eight assists during PSV’s victorious Eredvisie campaign means nobody should be overlooking Hirving Lozano. The precocious winger has an eye for goal from the flanks reminiscent of a young Ronaldo.
Lozano’s growing talent is best summed up by Charlie Pritchard of These Football Times:
"He is the star of the show in Eindhoven, dictating how the team attack with his frightening ability to play in slow motion, only to deploy his killer instinct and create goals and assists from both wide areas."
Pritchard also correctly credited “explosive pace and spatial awareness” among Lozano’s best attributes. What has been becoming more obvious in recent years is how this budding young star can take games over.
Lozano has the sense of timing to score decisive goals at crucial moments. He can also raise his game against tougher opponents.
The latter will be vital if Mexico are going to survive a group featuring Germany and Sweden.
There are many established names in El Tri‘s ranks, including Vela, Hernandez, Rafael Marquez and Giovani dos Santos. Yet Lozano could well emerge as his nation’s most important player this summer.