Quiñones, Camberos and Club América: What Their Ballon d’Or Nominations Mean for Mexican Soccer | OneFootball

Reports emerged late Monday that Julián Quiñones was among the 30 finalists for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Yesterday that nomination was officially confirmed, making headlines across Mexico. And Quiñones’ nomination represents much more than individual recognition. It is also a story about migration, opportunity and Mexican soccer as a place capable of transforming careers.

Quiñones’ Journey

The Colombian-born, naturalized Mexican forward arrived in Mexico in 2015 looking for an opportunity. He never became a professional in Colombia, meaning that virtually his entire development as a soccer player took place in Mexico.

Tigres was the club that gave him his first opportunity. He was later loaned to Venados de Mérida in Mexico’s second division before playing for the now-defunct Lobos BUAP. He returned to Tigres before joining Atlas, where he became a club icon and helped the team win a historic back-to-back Liga MX championships. He then moved to Club América, where he once again established himself as one of the biggest stars in Mexican soccer.

Today, Quiñones plays for Al Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia and is the league’s reigning Golden Boot winner.

Naturalized Mexican

His decision to represent Mexico was also met with criticism. In Mexico, it can sometimes be difficult for players who were not born in the country to earn a place with the national team.

But Quiñones answered on the field.

At the World Cup, he delivered a standout performance and scored four goals. After one of Mexico’s matches, he shared a message that perfectly summarized his story:

That may be the most important part of his story.

Quiñones represents the millions of Mexicans who, for different reasons, have to leave their country to find opportunities. The difference is that he was born in Colombia and found in Mexico the place where he could build his career, his family and his identity.

Scarlett Camberos, another story of migration and opportunity

Scarlett Camberos’ story has some similarities.

Born in the United States, Camberos chose to represent Mexico internationally. After playing at UC Irvine, she began her professional career with Club América and quickly became one of the club’s biggest stars. She later tried her hand in the NWSL with Angel City and Bay FC, although she never quite reached the same level of prominence she had enjoyed in Mexico.

Her return to América changed the trajectory of her career once again. Winning the Concacaf W Champions Cup put Camberos on the international map, and she later played a key role in América’s championship-winning campaign last season. Today, she is one of the most recognizable and beloved players among Mexican fans.

And now, she is also part of the Ballon d’Or conversation.

Club América makes history

The third nomination carries an even greater significance.

Club América became the first Mexican club in history to be nominated for a Ballon d’Or award and the first club from outside Europe and the United States to receive a nomination in the women’s category.

That recognition is no coincidence. Last season, América completed a historic treble, winning the Liga MX Femenil title, the Campeón de Campeones Femenil and the Concacaf W Champions Cup.

Three trophies for a team competing in a league that is barely a decade old.

And that says a lot about how far women’s soccer in Mexico has come.

What does this mean for Mexican soccer?

The nominations of Julián Quiñones, Scarlett Camberos and Club América are much more than an interesting footnote.

They are a snapshot of where Mexican soccer stands today.

Liga MX Femenil has become one of the fastest-growing women’s competitions in the world, gaining exposure and recognition on the international stage. Camberos represents a generation of players who have found in Mexico a platform to become stars.

Quiñones, meanwhile, represents the other side of the story: a player who arrived in Mexico looking for an opportunity, built virtually his entire career there and eventually chose to represent the Mexican national team.

And América has shown that investing in women’s soccer can translate into trophies, international recognition and a place among the biggest names in the global game.

The club has invested in state-of-the-art facilities, a professional structure and competitive salaries for its women’s team. The results speak for themselves.

Just 10 years ago, Liga MX Femenil was essentially starting from scratch.

Today, it has a Concacaf champion, players nominated for the Ballon d’Or and, for the first time, a Mexican club competing for one of the most prestigious honors in world soccer.

This is not just a nomination. It is HISTORY FOR MEXICAN FOOTBALL.

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