PSV midfielder Andres Guardado said Liga MX club owners are the principal impediment to more Mexican players moving to European club teams.
"They used to say Mexican footballers were mediocre, that they stayed in Mexico because they get paid very well," Guardado said in an interview with ESPN Deportes. "Over the years, I've realized that many [players] have offers and want to leave, but the owners don't let them and still want to sell the players as if we were all like [Lionel] Messi."
Guardado, 28, also lamented the way players allow themselves to be manipulated by club owners, describing it as "the main problem in Mexican football."
"Sometimes there are a lot of mirages in Mexican football and that doesn't mean I am right, but they are situations that we all see and no one does anything to fix, or are very difficult to fix," he added.
The former Atlas player, who left Mexico for Deportivo La Coruna in 2007, has enjoyed an exceptional first season at PSV, where the fans have taken to him and the Guadalajara native is likely to win the first major league title of his career.
"I've lived through things that I'd never dreamed about, above all this year," said Guardado of his European adventure. "Being in a Dutch team, in a very different country, with another language and people make a mosaic in your honor ... I never imagined it."
In March, the PSV fans even made a giant tifo of the Mexican flag, which Guardado called "the most beautiful thing that ever happened on a football pitch."
SIN PALABRAS!!! Lo más bonito que me ha pasado en una cancha de fútbol!! Muchas gracias amigos!!!!! #PSV pic.twitter.com/n0toZmkrXx
- Andrés Guardado (@AGuardado18) March 15, 2015
Guardado also talked about Twente's Jesus "Tecatito" Corona, the other Mexico international in the Eredivisie, and lauded his development and future potential.
"He has some very good qualities and I think this league is ideal to shape them to then make the jump to another league and a bigger club," Guardado said. "I believe he is aware of what is required, he has a very bright future and he can reach wherever he wants."