Academy profile: Diego Covarrubias | OneFootball

Effort, talent, and consistency always find their reward. For Diego Covarrubias, these factors have been essential in his journey through the Rojiblanca Academy. After moving through different youth levels at Guadalajara, the midfielder was already crowned champion with the U-21 side in the Clausura 2026 and also won the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship with Mexico’s U-20 National Team.

Here, we tell the story and path of a player who, at just 19 years old, has become a key piece in Luis Arce’s system.

Where is Diego from?

Diego Alberto Covarrubias Ruvalcaba was born on February 8, 2007, in Guadalajara, Jalisco. As a native of Jalisco, the Rojiblanco blood had been running through his veins from an early age.

What position does he play?

Diego plays as a defensive midfielder. His profile combines physical strength, aggression in winning the ball back, tactical intelligence, and vision on the field.

His arrival at Mexico’s best academy

Covarrubias joined Guadalajara in Apertura 2021 to become part of the U-14 team. With this side, he played 26 matches and totaled 2,311 minutes. He remained in the category until Clausura 2022, a period that reflected the trust placed in his development.

He then moved up to the U-16, where he stayed from Apertura 2022 through Clausura 2024. In this level, he played 58 matches and logged 3,934 minutes. During this period, he also took part in the Torneo del Sol with Guadalajara’s Third Division team, making two appearances and playing 180 minutes.

Between Apertura 2024 and Clausura 2025, Diego played five matches with the U-17 and totaled 404 minutes.

Where he found the most continuity was with the U-19. He remained with this team from Apertura 2024 to Apertura 2025, a span in which he played 33 matches and logged 2,626 minutes.

Arrival and title with the U-21

Diego joined the U-21 side in Apertura 2025. In that tournament, he played 16 matches and 998 minutes.

In Clausura 2026 came one of the most important chapters of his career. Covarrubias played all 17 regular-season matches and the six Liguilla playoff games. In total, he logged 1,971 minutes and actively contributed to Guadalajara’s first title in the category.

Current status in the league

In Apertura 2026, Diego has established himself as a key piece for Luis Arce. Since returning from the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship, Covarrubias has played five matches and totaled 430 minutes, all as a starter.

Champion with Mexico U-20

Recently, Diego experienced one of his standout moments with El Tri at the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship. In that competition, he contributed to Mexico’s title, a result that allowed the national team to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

His performance also earned him another call-up to the National Team for the September FIFA window, during which Mexico’s U-20 side will play three matches as part of its preparation tour to continue its development in Albir, Spain.

Diego Covarrubias is an example of the work being done at the Rojiblanca Academy to develop and showcase Mexican talent. His journey through the different Guadalajara youth levels reflects a process that now places him before new challenges with the Mexican National Team and as an important piece of the Rojiblanco squad.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.