As perennial qualifiers for the World Cup, Mexico may wonder how they have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals of the competition in their 14 attempts. The dominant giants of the CONCACAF region, El Tri have been unable to make as big a splash on the grandest stage.
They have, however, hosted two of the most memorable World Cup tournaments in history - in 1970 and 1986 - reaching the last eight on both occasions. They were also involved in the very first World Cup fixture, losing 4-1 to France on July 13, 1930.
Hopes will be high that they can at least progress from the group stages for the sixth successive tournament in Brazil, while a kind draw in the round of 16 could see them reach the quarters for just the third time.
Here, to continue our countdown to the 2014 tournament, Sports Mole looks at the top 10 players in the history of Mexico.
10. Luis Hernandez (1995-2002, 85 caps, 35 goals)
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Towards the end of the 1990s, Luis Hernandez could be counted upon to do the business for Mexico in the biggest games. He topped the scoring charts with six goals at the 1997 Copa America, while one year later he added four more at the World Cup in France.
He remains Mexico's highest-ever scorer at the World Cup, while his overall tally of 35 goals for his country makes him the joint third-highest scorer in their history. The striker was also part of the team that won the 1999 Confederations Cup title as El Tri became the first and so far only CONCACAF nation to win a recognised FIFA tournament.
A journeyman at club level, Hernandez spent most of his time in his native Mexico but did also venture to Boca Juniors in Argentina and Los Angeles Galaxy in the USA. Individually, he was named Mexico's Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998.
9. Jared Borgetti (1997-2008, 89 caps, 46 goals)
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Bolton Wanderers fans may struggle to believe it, but Jared Borgetti forged a formidable reputation as a clinical striker throughout his 11-year international career. His move to the Reebok Stadium in 2005 made him the first Mexican in English football, but he only managed seven goals in his 32 appearances for the Trotters.
The brief spell in Lancashire came in the latter stages of his career, however, by which point he had already become the highest goalscorer in the history of Mexican side Santos Laguna. He went on to break the international record too, with his overall tally of 46 goals representing the highest in the history of El Tri.
His time on the international stage saw him pick up the Gold Cup in 2003 and feature in both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. Individually, he was named Mexico's Player of the Year in consecutive seasons, picking up the award in 2000 and 2001.
8. Claudio Suarez (1992-2006, 178 caps, six goals)
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When it comes to international experience, only one man in the history of football can top Claudio Suarez. The defender's mammoth haul of 178 caps is second only to Egypt's Ahmed Hassan, who amassed a whopping 184 between 1995 and 2012.
Unsurprisingly, such a long international career saw him play a major role in Mexico's success during that period as he helped the team to three Gold Cup titles - in 1993, 1996 and 1998 - as well as the 1999 Confederations Cup. He was also included in three World Cup squads from 1994 to 2006.
Nicknamed 'The Emperor', Suarez spent the twilight of his club career in the MLS with Chivas USA having turned out for three different teams in his native Mexico before that. In all, he made more than 550 club appearances in a 21-year career before finally announcing his retirement in 2009.
7. Luis de la Fuente (1934-50, nine caps, seven goals)
Compared to Suarez's haul above, Luis de la Fuente's tally of just nine international caps looks like a rather measly one. However, the midfielder left an indelible mark on Mexican football history, so much so that a stadium was named after him in his home town of Veracruz.
Renowned as a complete player with two good feet, impeccable technique and natural athleticism, Fuente became the first Mexican player to play in four different countries, including an impressive stint in La Liga that only came to an end due to the Spanish Civil War.
Despite his meagre number of caps, Fuente's international goalscoring record is still an impressive one, and he was a standout performer in El Tri's unsuccessful attempts to reach the 1934 World Cup. Nicknamed 'The Pirate', the International Football Federation of History and Statistics (IFFHS) named him the second-best Central and North American player of the 20th century.
6. Horacio Casarin (1937-56, 16 caps, 15 goals)
Another player with relatively few caps compared to others on this list, Horacio Casarin also endeared himself to the Mexican public during the 1940s and '50s. Like Fuente, Casarin spent a small part of his career in Spain, turning out for Catalan giants Barcelona.
During a spell with Necaxa in 1939, Casarin was subjected to merciless physical abuse during a match against Asturias, eventually being forced to leave the pitch after just 20 minutes. Livid at the treatment of their star player, Necaxa fans proceeded to burn Asturias' wooden stadium in retaliation.
He went on to help Atlante win the 1947 Mexican title later in his career before featuring in his first World Cup in 1950. During that tournament, he netted one of only two goals El Tri managed in a disappointing showing in Brazil.
5. Antonio Carbajal (1950-66, 48 caps, no goals)
It is fair to say that Antonio Carbajal had a baptism of fire on the international stage. His debut for Mexico came in the opening match of the 1950 World Cup as hosts Brazil ran riot with a 4-0 win at the Maracana.
He was still tending El Tri's goal 12 years later as Mexico won their first ever World Cup match, however, and in 1966 he became the first player in history to appear in five different World Cup tournaments. No player has yet toppled that mark, although Germany's Lothar Matthaus did equal it in 1998.
In all, he played 48 times for his country over a 16-year international career, establishing himself as one of the finest goalkeepers Mexico have ever had. Indeed, IFFHS ranked him as the greatest Central and North American keeper of the 20th century and 15th in the world from the same period.
4. Jorge Campos (1991-2004, 130 caps, no goals)
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Just edging out his compatriot to the title of the greatest goalkeeper in Mexico's history is Jorge Campos, whose eccentric style and flamboyant kits made him an easily-recognisable figure in between the sticks.
Campos was relatively short for a goalkeeper, standing at just 5'6", but his athleticism more than made up for his stature and enabled him to make some remarkable saves. He also fancied himself as an outfield player, often coming out of his box to participate in moves and sometimes even being deployed as a striker.
He was a cornerstone of the Mexico side that won the 1999 Confederations Cup, while he also picked up the 1993 and 1996 Gold Cups for his country. His 130 caps encompassed two World Cup tournaments, with Campos featuring in both 1994 and 1998.
3. Cuauhtemoc Blanco (1995-2010, 119 caps, 39 goals)
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Still playing at the age of 41, Cuauhtemoc Blanco was perhaps the most important member of Mexico's 1999 Confederations Cup-winning side. He scored six goals in that tournament - including the winner against Brazil in the final - finishing as joint-top scorer and being awarded the Silver Ball, making him the only Mexican player with an individual award in a major FIFA competition.
Only Ronaldinho was deemed better than him in that tournament, and the Brazilian star is also the only man who can match Blanco's record of nine Confederations Cup goals overall. His prowess in front of goal extended to other international matters, with only Borgetti finding the back of the net more times for El Tri.
A five-time MVP in the top flight of Mexican football, Blanco has also spent time in La Liga and the MLS during his club career. He is the only Mexican to have scored in three World Cup tournaments and is widely considered to be one of the greatest penalty takers of all time having missed just two of his 58 attempts from the spot.
2. Rafael Marquez (1997-present, 118 caps, 15 goals)
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Now aged 35, Rafael Marquez will lead Mexico out in this summer's World Cup for what will be his fourth taste of the finals. He already has a hefty 118 caps to his name in a 17-year international career that includes success in the 1999 Confederations Cup and two Gold Cup crowns.
It was at club level that the defender came to worldwide acclaim, however, enjoying distinguished spells with Monaco and Barcelona in particular. He won Ligue 1 with the former in 2000 before adding four La Liga titles to his trophy haul in Spain.
His time in Catalonia also yielded a Copa del Rey and two Champions League titles, with Marquez becoming the first Mexican to lift the famous trophy when Barcelona beat Arsenal in the 2006 final.
1. Hugo Sanchez (1977-94, 58 caps, 29 goals)
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By some distance the greatest player in Mexico's history, Hugo Sanchez was one of the world's most feared strikers during his prolific career. After a successful stint in his native country, Sanchez was snapped up by Atletico Madrid and soon began establishing himself as La Liga's top goalscorer.
That was a reputation he solidified having made the short move across the city to Real Madrid, where he enjoyed the greatest years of his career. The striker won the Pichichi trophy - awarded to La Liga's highest scorer - four years in a row, becoming the only player in the league's history to achieve that feat without sharing the award. Considering the likes of Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have plied their trade in the top flight of Spanish football, it is a record of which Sanchez is justifiably proud.
He tied the league's single-season record of 38 goals in the 1989-90 campaign, scoring every single one with just a single touch. During his time at the Bernabeu, Sanchez won five consecutive league titles, the UEFA Cup and another Copa del Rey to add to the one he picked up with Atletico.
His international career was not quite as successful, although he still managed to appear in three World Cup tournaments for Mexico. The IFFHS named him the 26th-best player of the 20th century and the greatest from either Central or North America.
Mexico will face Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon in the group stages of this summer's World Cup, and you can follow every match live with Sports Mole.
Continuing our 50-day countdown to the tournament, we will be looking at the greatest players in Nigeria's history tomorrow. You can also see all of the World Cup top 10 lists so far by clicking here.
Barney Corkhill
