LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo will represent Mexico on the international stage moving forward. According to multiple reports, Araujo requested and received a green light from FIFA to play for El Tri after previously being part of the United States men’s national team.
Araujo was eligible to play for both the U.S. and Mexico, being born in California while having Mexican heritage. The 20-year-old star appeared in one game for the USMNT, playing against El Salvador in a December friendly. Since the match wasn’t official, he was able to make the switch to Mexico.
According to AS, Araujo expects to have a prominent role on the Mexican national team. He has been talking with the country’s head coach Gerardo Martino in recent months and was reportedly promised a call-up as soon as he becomes eligible.
Julian Araujo made his professional debut with the LA Galaxy’s reserve team in 2018 and went on to sign a contract with the first team a year later. Since 2019, Araujo played 62 games, including 54 as a starter, for Galaxy and contributed with one goal and 10 assists.
Araujo is the second USMNT talent who has switched to playing for Mexico in 2021. His teammate Efrain Alvarez made the same move in March and has already made four appearances for the Mexican national team.
