Andrés Montaño Mexico national team call-up, Digi Mart USA News: One of the pleasant surprises in Rafa Márquez’s squad for Mexico’s matches against Jamaica in the Nations League is the selection of Cruz Azul midfielder Andrés Montaño. The Morelia academy product made his Liga MX debut with Mazatlán and has been called up to the Tricolor again.
Mexico will play two decisive matches against the Reggae Boys on November 14 and 17 in the Round of 8 of the regional competition. A win would allow Mexico to advance directly to the Copa Oro, as well as compete in the Nations League Final Four, both competitions taking place next year.
Montaño joined Cruz Azul for the 2024 Apertura and has had a career with the Cementeros that at times looked very difficult. He was the standout player at Mazatlán, which earned him consideration from one of Mexico’s big clubs, but he initially could not establish himself as an undisputed starter and often came off the bench.
In May 2025 he suffered a torn lateral collateral ligament in his knee, which kept him out of action for eight months. In total he missed 29 matches with Cruz Azul over 246 days.
Since then, however, his situation improved and he has become an important part of the team.
Montaño helped Cruz Azul win its long-awaited tenth title by defeating Pumas, and the 2026 Apertura has become the tournament of his consolidation. In the current campaign he has played in 11 matches and contributed five goals, establishing himself as one of the key players in coach Joel Huiqui’s system.
Mexico will face Jamaica in a home-and-away series that is crucial for Rafa Márquez’s ambitions with the Tri. The Azteca side is competing for direct qualification to the Copa Oro and a place in the Final Four, and Márquez will include Montaño among his selected players.
The task will not be easy. The Cruz Azul No. 10 will have to compete for a place with established Mexico players, including his teammate Erik Lira, the young talent Gilberto Mora, and midfielders playing in Europe such as Obed Vargas of Atlético de Madrid and Álvaro Fidalgo of Real Betis.
