CHICAGO — Alejandro Zendejas has committed to representing the United States team instead of Mexico.
The 25-year-old attacker made his United States debut in the friendly against Serbia on January 25, but was still eligible to apply for the affiliation change to play for El Tri.
Zendejas started three games for the United States at the 2015 U17 World Cup, where he was teammates with Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams. He played for Mexico in the friendlies against Ecuador in October 2021 and Guatemala last April, in addition to three games with the Mexican U23 team.
FIFA ordered Mexico to lose all five friendlies on the table and added a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs ($10,900) for aligning Zendejas while affiliated with the United States.
“I am very proud to be Mexican-American. The values of both cultures have made me the person I am today and I have had the privilege of living in both countries,” Zendejas said in a message he posted Tuesday on his Instagram stories. “I am very grateful for all the opportunities that the United States and Mexico have given me and my family.”
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“Making a decision about my international career is very difficult, and I think you should follow your heart. Mine tells me that my future is representing America,” she added. I am very excited about this next chapter and working to earn a place with the United States national team. Thank you all for your incredible support.”
Zendejas was trained in the youth academy of MLS FC Dallas, which had him as born in El Paso, Texas. He made his US league debut against Houston on May 1, 2015, was transferred to Chivas de México in June 2016, and was then loaned to Zacatepec in June 2017. Zendejas was transferred to Necaxa in June 2020 and América in January 2020. 2022.
