Alejandro Zendejas
Alejandro Zendejas Saavedra (born 7 February 1998) is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga MX club América. Early life. Zendejas was born in Ciudad Juárez in Mexico before moving to El Paso in the United States at a young age. The MLS, U.S. Soccer and FC Dallas websites all listed him as being born in El Paso, Texas. FC Dallas later confirmed that Zendejas had been born in Mexico. Club career. FC Dallas. On October 1, 2014, Zendejas signed a homegrown player contract with FC Dallas, making him the 13th homegrown signing in  club history. However, he was not eligible to play for the first team until the 2015 season. He made his professional debut on May 1, 2015, in a 4–1 victory over Houston Dynamo. C.D. Guadalajara. On June 23, 2016, Zendejas signed with Liga MX C.D. Guadalajara. In order to meet with the club's tradition of only using Mexican players, Zendejas agreed to reject future U.S. national team call-ups and accept Mexico national team call-ups if they ever occur. Zendejas was registered with the first team and was given the number 29 jersey, the same kit he had  at Dallas. Zendejas made his Liga MX debut on August 6, in a match against Querétaro. Loan at Zacatepec. In a press conference, Chivas coach Matias Almeyda confirmed some youth players would be sent out on loan to sister club Zacatepec to get playing time. On June 8, 2017, Zacatepec announced they had signed Zendejas on loan. Zendejas scored his first professional goal in a Copa MX match against Cruz Azul. He scored his first Ascenso MX goal on August 12, 2017, against Murciélagos F.C. Zacatepec would go on to win 1-0 with his goal. Necaxa. On June 29 , 2020, Zendejas joined Club Necaxa on a free transfer. International career. Youth. Zendejas was a member the United States under-17 squad that competed at the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship playing alongside future USMNT stars Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams. Overall, he gained 27 caps and scored four goals for the U-17 national team. After joining Mexican club C.D. Guadalajara, Zendejas agreed to reject future U.S. national team call-ups and accept Mexico national team call-ups if they occur. In August 2017, Zendejas was called up to the Mexican under-21 national team for games in China and Qatar, the start  of preparation for the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020. Senior. Zendejas received his first call-up to the Mexico national team by Gerardo Martino, and made his debut on 27 October 2021 in a friendly match against Ecuador, coming in as a substitute in the 65th minute for Uriel Antuna. Honours. Guadalajara