When Mexican soccer enthusiasts are asked about Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, a pivotal moment in his career often surfaces: The 2018 World Cup.
At just 22 years old, the emerging Mexican talent astonished the world by netting a remarkable game-winning goal against former champions Germany. This not only marked a historic 1-0 triumph over the European giant but also represented a significant advancement for the speedy player with immense potential. It was at this point that fans of El Tri began to envision the influence Lozano could have in upcoming World Cups.
However, with only a few months remaining before this summer’s World Cup, where San Diego FC’s prominent 2025 signing is expected to play a crucial role for Mexico, Lozano’s position for both club and country is now uncertain.
During San Diego FC’s impressive 5-0 win against CF Montreal last Saturday in their MLS season opener, Lozano was absent from the matchday roster. He was neither injured nor unable to participate; rather, San Diego opted not to include him on the field or the bench, a situation that is unlikely to change soon.
“Our position remains unchanged,” sporting director Tyler Heaps informed ESPN prior to the match. “Hirving is not and will not be part of our sporting plans for this year.”
Initially disclosed in January, the sporting director and the club have remained resolute after previously stating that they are seeking a departure for the league’s fifth-highest earner from the previous season.
But after investing a reported $12 million for his acquisition in 2024, why would the club consider parting ways with the 30-year-old Mexican international? Why exclude the standout player who contributed to filling San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium during their inaugural season?
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Lozano began the club’s debut MLS season on a positive note, but tensions between him and the organization became evident in October following reports of a locker room confrontation. A source informed ESPN that it was an “intense” incident that escalated into a heated exchange between Lozano and head coach Mikey Varas regarding a decision to substitute him.
This altercation resulted in Lozano missing two game-day rosters, including San Diego’s first-ever playoff match, before he returned in November. His last appearance for San Diego FC was on November 29, when he came on as a substitute in a 3-1 defeat against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the playoffs.
When addressing the player’s compatibility with the club, Heaps emphasized that there was no “single moment, one instance” that determined Chucky’s fate with the team. Instead, according to the sporting director, Lozano made choices throughout the year that did “not align with who we wanted to be as an organization and a culture long term,” while also noting that Lozano “was not fully aligned” on the field.
“That was reflected in the game and also in training sessions,” Heaps stated.
Nonetheless, with the World Cup approaching and the MLS season officially underway, it has become evident that Lozano wishes to remain in San Diego.
With a no-trade clause that allows the winger to approve or reject any transfer, Lozano expressed to the media in December, “I’m happy here in San Diego” and indicated that he would not consider winter offers.
A source confirmed to ESPN that there has been significant interest from Europe and Mexico, as well as within MLS, where the transfer window is currently open. By mid-January, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reiterated Chucky’s intentions after reporting that he “doesn’t plan or want to leave.”
It seems Lozano and his representatives have been presented with opportunities to transfer elsewhere and gain playing time if he chooses.
“There has been and continues to be interest in Hirving’s services,” Heaps remarked. “He’s a very talented player, and I believe teams recognize both inside and outside the league that he could be a valuable asset for another club.”
And if no agreement is reached by the end of the March 26 transfer window for MLS? Would Chucky remain in San Diego and continue training on the side as he is currently doing?
“That’s the reality we are facing,” Heaps told ESPN. “If we are still struggling to reach an agreement with Hirving and his representatives and another club to find a solution for him, the expectation would be that he would continue to train alone until the next window opens, and hopefully, we can keep those discussions going.”
This situation has understandably raised concerns for Mexico national team manager Javier Aguirre, who has expressed uncertainty regarding Lozano’s inclusion for the World Cup after utilizing him as an occasional option last year.
Although Lozano was hindered by a hamstring injury that kept him off last summer’s Gold Cup roster, the reality is that the San Diego player did not accumulate the same number of national team appearances in 2025 as other wide attackers such as Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado, Alexis Vega, César Huerta, or Julian Quiñones.
“I have spoken with him more than once about this situation,” Aguirre told reporters in January. “The conversation is private, but I would argue that I have more justification [for a player’s selection] if they are actively playing — he and anyone else. I understand personal circumstances, like being in Europe and not playing frequently… but I do prefer them to be in better condition, at least physically and in good soccer form.
“This is his decision. He will need to consider everything that this entails, and we will see what unfolds.”
Subsequently, Lozano was omitted from a Mexico roster for a friendly against Iceland on February 25. Given that Chucky is currently not participating in any games for San Diego, it should have been relatively straightforward for him to attend the camp — if he had been included in Aguirre’s plans.
Heaps mentioned that he has been in discussions with El Tri regarding Lozano’s status with San Diego.
“I know, from my conversations with the Mexican national team coaching staff, that they require him to play,” Heaps stated. “We have again made it very clear to them what our intentions are for Hirving this year, and I know they have also communicated with him and his representatives. It is always challenging and places the national team in a difficult position to call a player who is not only not playing but also not in form.”
Why might Chucky be in no hurry to secure a new club? If he does not plan to pursue a World Cup spot, he is earning a $6 million base salary and residing in sunny San Diego. Regardless of whether he plays, he remains under contract, and San Diego FC compensates him.
Whether it is a strategic and calculated effort to win over the public who might advocate for Lozano’s return or a sincere attempt to engage with the local community, the former Napoli and PSV Eindhoven playmaker has recently made a concerted effort on social media to emphasize his connection to San Diego FC.
On the day of the club’s latest victory, he shared an Instagram story that stated: “May this season be played with pride, character, and heart,” featuring the Snapdragon Stadium crowd, along with a cartoon depiction of Lozano in attendance wearing a hoodie with the No. 11 on his back.
However, in reality, Chucky is currently training alone at San Diego’s facilities in a World Cup year. He arrives in the afternoon, separate from the first team, resulting in minimal interaction between Lozano and his teammates. As a contracted player still fulfilling his obligations as an employee — however limited those obligations may be at present — he has access to the facilities and trainers available to him.
While Chucky may be jeopardizing the future of his career in this standoff, could San Diego FC also be taking a calculated risk? Observing the roster section of the club’s website — where Lozano is still listed — his absence on the field becomes increasingly noticeable. Yet, thus far, the club’s other options in his winger position have alleviated such concerns, as evidenced by their decisive victory against Montreal in their season opener.
Filling in for Lozano on the left wing, Amahl Pellegrino continued his promising form from late 2025, scoring his first goal of 2026 in the 47th minute. Bryan Zamblé, an 18-year-old who made his MLS debut against Montreal, came on as a substitute for Pellegrino in the same position and netted a goal in the 85th minute, solidifying the commanding 5-0 win. Zamblé’s goal, featuring a cut inside the box and a near-post shot with his right foot reminiscent of Chucky’s 2018 World Cup strike, felt like a symbolic transition of roles.
Earlier this month, San Diego passed its first significant test of the year against Liga MX giants Pumas, achieving a 4-2 aggregate victory in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Given the club’s success without him, it is understandable why they are not dismissing the possibility of buying out Lozano’s contract if no agreement is reached by the conclusion of the MLS transfer window.
“It’s an internal discussion we’ve had,” Heaps stated. “We hope and expect that it does not reach that point and that we can work together collaboratively to find a solution.”
Heaps added: “This is not about ensuring Hirving doesn’t play again. We’re not trying to reclaim every dollar of the transfer fee. We aim to work collaboratively to find a solution that benefits not only us but also him as a player in his long-term career.”
Club ownership seems to support the front office’s strategy to proceed without Lozano.
“These decisions are made by the managers, and we must always respect their perspective,” said club chairman Mohamed Mansour to local outlet San Diego Futbol last Saturday regarding Lozano. “There is a specific style of play, and the managers understand what they want.”
Thus, the saga of Chucky continues.
Questions linger. Will San Diego continue to thrive without him? Will he be part of Mexico’s squad for this summer’s World Cup? But perhaps a more straightforward question we should consider regarding the former rising star from just two World Cups ago is: When will Hirving Lozano play soccer again?
