El 'Tala' Rangel, leadership and solidity in goal for Chivas and the Mexican national team. | OneFootball

If there is one element that has been fundamental to Guadalajara's sporting success, it is Raúl Rangel, who with his leadership, assurance, and confidence has become a key player in the smooth functioning of the Rojiblanco defense, thanks to his outstanding performances, which have been decisive in sustaining results and strengthening Gabriel Milito's game plan.

With his outstanding reading of the game, 'Tala' not only shone in saves, but also participated in building from the back, both short and long, something essential in the style promoted by the Argentine strategist. Rangel has shown that he is capable of making a low pass to enable a teammate between the lines or putting a measured ball that can cross the line, and in turn give his teammates an advantage.

In total, Rangel kept four clean sheets in four games in the 2025 Apertura, as well as ranking seventh among goalkeepers with 50 saves. The Rebaño Sagrado goalkeeper also made four saves and punched away nine shots in the 1,530 minutes he played; he was also Milito's only iron man in the current tournament.

Tala's value is also evident in the way he plays in the box, as one of the things that has characterized Guadalajara throughout the tournament is the height of their defensive line, which invites opponents to play behind them. However, this is where Rangel comes in, often acting as a sweeper, greatly limiting any offensive possibilities for his opponents. In fact, the Rebaño goalkeeper is second in the AP25 with 38 successful one-on-one saves.

Another of his greatest strengths is his aerial play, something that Mexican soccer has suffered from in recent years. Standing at 1.90 meters tall and with a commanding voice in the box, the Jalisco native has made a name for himself by accumulating 25 successful aerial plays and helping out in defense when opponents approach his goal.

His quality and remarkable individual performance have led him to the Mexican national team, where he is set to be one of the national goalkeepers in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Raúl Rangel is a goalkeeper with great skills, who grows with every game, inspires, and shows why he is currently one of the best Mexican goalkeepers in the entire Liga MX.