In just a few short years, Liga MX Femenil has transformed into one of the most ambitious and competitive leagues in the world, attracting top talent with serious international pedigree.
Some of the standout names in recent years include Jenni Hermoso, a Spanish international and multiple European champion with FC Barcelona. As for domestic players, María Sánchez is one who caught plenty of attention as a player who joined Tigres after learning her trade in the United States.
Transfers of this calibre are just one of the many reasons why Liga MX Femenil continues to improve season after season.
These signings ahead of the Apertura 2025 highlight the league’s ongoing ambition to raise its level. Here are the top 10 arrivals to look out for:
10. Karla Martínez (Centre-Back, Toluca)
Karla Martínez brings depth, consistency, and leadership to the backline. A central defender with eight years of experience, she returns to Toluca after three years away.
Youth academy product with previous experience at Santos and Chivas. Known for her strength, pass accuracy, and intelligence, she returns to Toluca ready to take on a bigger defensive role.
Club career
- Santos Laguna (2017-2019): Made league debut in the inaugural season of Liga MX Femenil, 2017. Featured 55 matches and scored one goal.
- Toluca (2020-2022): Became a key defensive presence with 77 appearances and four goals.
- Chivas (2023-2025): In the first season, she played 25 matches. Then she became an important part of the defensive set-up and recorded 3,030 minutes, 37 appearances with 87% pass accuracy.
National Team
- Mexico Senior team: Earned first call-up and debut on December 5, 2023, in a W Gold Cup qualifying match against Trinidad & Tobago. Martínez has three international caps.
9. Amanda Murillo (Centre-Back, Juárez)
A Panamanian international and a 2023 World Cup participant, formerly with América and Pachuca. Amanda Murillo is aerially dominant and fearless in duels, she offers veteran presence and strength in Juárez’s central defense.
Club career
- Washington Huskies (2013–2017): Played college soccer with 78 appearances and 8 goals.
- IL Sandviken (Norway, 2018): Murillo racked up 21 appearances for the Norwegians, scoring seven goals.
- Vittsjö GIK (Sweden, 2019): Switching Norway for Sweden, the Panama international made just 6 appearances for the club.
- Sporting CP (Portugal, 2020–2021): Murillo made the move to the Portuguese giants but made just two appearances in a Covid-impacted season.
- Club América (2021–2023): Making 49 appearances, scoring once; she was a part of the Clausura 2023 title-winning squad.
- Pachuca (2024–2025): Playing 31 matches, Murillo was instrumental in the Los Tuzos defense, registering one goal.
National Team:
- Mexico U-17: Participated in the 2010 FIFA U‑17 World Cup
- Mexico U-20: Represented at the FIFA U‑20 World Cups in 2012 (Japan) and 2014 (Canada).
- Senior National Team: Called up in 2013 for the Algarve Cup; part of Mexico’s squad at the 2015 Women’s World Cup. Earned 8 caps from 2013 to 2020
8. Sabrina Enciso (Center-back, Tigres)
A NCAA-developed defender with dual Mexican-Paraguayan heritage, now joining Tigres’ backline. At 1.75m, she’s physically strong, tactically disciplined, and poised to contribute youth and depth to one of the league’s strongest defenses.
Club Career
- San Diego State University (2014-2017): Featured 21 times with 10 goals and 6 assists
- FC Tucson: Briefly played for the club post-college before signing with Club América
- Club América Femenil (2022–2025): Made 70 appearances, scoring 1 goal, and recorded 5 assists. Sabrina Enciso won Clausura 2023, her first league title.
National team
- Born in California to Mexican parents, Enciso holds Mexican citizenship and has expressed a strong desire to represent Mexico, not Paraguay.
7. Natalia Mauleón (Midfielder, Pachuca)
A former Club América player who was a part of Mexico's 2023 Revelations Cup squad. Natalia Mauleón is a dynamic midfielder with excellent control and vision. She adds creative depth and technical quality to the midfield, expected to add creativity to Pachuca’s play.
Club Career
- Toluca Femenil (2017–2021): Debuting at the age of 15, Mauleón scored 10 goals in her first Apertura and became Toluca's second all-time leading scorer, registering 33 goals in 98 appearances.
- Club América Femenil (2021–2025): Joined ahead of Apertura 2021, scoring 4 goals and playing 72% of available minutes. She continued as a first-team regular and maintained call-ups to Mexico’s U-20 and senior teams.
National Team
- Mexico U‑17 (2018): In 10 appearances, she scored four goals.
- Mexico U‑20 (2022): 6 caps, 3 goals; crucial in qualifying as runner-ups in the CONCACAF U‑20 tournament.
- Mexico senior team: Made her debut in 2022, has 12 caps and 2 goals.
6. Denise Castro (Forward/Winger, Chivas)
Trained in the US with youth experience at Tigres U-17, Denise Castro is one of Chivas’ youngest offensive reinforcements. Bringing speed, instinct, and attacking versatility, she’s a rising prospect with all the tools to develop into a prolific scorer.
Club career
- San Diego State University (2021-2024): Featured in 21 games, netting 10 goals and providing 6 assists
- 2023 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
- First Team All‑Mountain West (2022–2024).
- Multiple Offensive Player of the Week honors.
National Team
- Mexico U‑17 (2018): Competed in the FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay; Mexico finished runner‑up and scored 1 goal in 6 matches
5. Jocelyn Orejel (Center-back/Defensive Midfielder, Pachuca)
Jocelyn Orejel is a Mexican international with experience at youth level, joining the senior team ahead of the 2023 Revelations Cup. A reliable left-back raised in the U.S., she provides defensive security, leadership, and clean ball distribution out of the back.
Club Career
- University of Colorado Buffaloes (2014-2017): Appearing in 69 matches and scoring 2 goals.
- LA Galaxy OC (2018): Orejel stayed at the club for a season but wasn't able to make an appearance for the first team.
- CSFA Ambilly (2018-2019): Moving to France, Orejel represented the club 19 times.
- Tijuana (2019-2020): Returning to Mexico, the left-back played 19 games for Los Xolos, scoring twice.
- Club América (2020-2025): Recording more than 150 matches, Orejel was a key figure in the Las Águilas' defense, winning the 2023 Clausura.
National team
- Mexico Senior team: Made her national team debut on July 20, 2018, in a friendly vs Trinidad & Tobago
- Mexican international, played in the 2023 Revelations Cup
4. Malado Diallo (Forward, Juárez)
A Senegalese international, Malado Diallo, is a promising goalscorer who joins Juárez with high expectations. Athletic, fast, and powerful in transition, she brings a direct threat and physical edge to Los Bravos' frontline.
Club Career
- Eibar (2023): Diallo became the first Senegalese woman to play in Spain when she signed a two-year contract.
- Galatasaray (2024): She moved to Turkey on loan, making history as Senegal’s first female player in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, debuting against Olympique Lyonnais.
National Team
- Senegal: Debuted for the senior squad in 2022 and helped them finish in the top eight at the African Women's Nations Championship
- In 2023, she dominated the WAFU Zone A Women’s Cup, ending as the top scorer with nine goals, and helped Senegal qualify for the World Cup playoffs.
3. Faustine Robert (Attacking midfielder/Winger, Toluca)
An ex-Montpellier and Guingamp standout in France’s D1 Arkema with over 200 professional appearances. A UEFA U-19 European champion and former senior French international, Faustine Robert offers vision, creativity, and attacking precision from the wing or midfield.
Robert is both technically and creatively gifted, looking to boost Toluca’s attack. Her European pedigree makes her one of the league’s standout international arrivals.
Club Career
- Montpellier (2009-2013): She started with the club and made 14 league appearances, scoring 3 goals.
- En Avant Guingamp (2013–2021): Robert represented the club 144 times, finding the back of the net 28 times.
- Montpellier HSC (2021–2024): Making 64 appearances with 24 goals, the 22-23 season was her best season with 8 goals and 5 assists.
- FC Fleury 91 (2024–2025): Leaving Montpellier for a second time, Robert made 19 appearances (17 starts), providing 10 goal contributions. She led the team in assists and ranked among the top scorers.
National team
- France U-19: Earned 14 caps, scoring 3 goals. Played every match in the team’s victorious 2013 UEFA U‑19 Championship
- France U-20: Featured 7 times, netting 4 goals and helped France secure third place at the 2014 FIFA U‑20 Women’s World Cup, playing all 6 matches.
- France Senior team: She made her debut on November 27, 2017 vs Sweden in a goalless draw.
2. Emily Alvarado (Goalkeeper, Juárez)
Formerly with Stade de Reims (France) and Portland Thorns (NWSL), Emily Alvarado made a name for herself as a specialist when it came to saving penalties. As a product of Texas Christian University, TCU (NCAA) and a CONCACAF youth champion, she brings leadership, strong reflexes, and international experience to the goal.
With her background, she’s expected to anchor the team’s defensive structure and mentor younger keepers.
Club career:
- Texas Christian University, TCU, NCAA (2017-2021): Alvarado reached the semifinal of the Mac Hermann Trophy as top collegiate goalkeeper.
- Stade de Reims (2021–2023): The Mexican shot-stopper played 39 games for the club, recording 150 saves.
- Houston Dash (NWSL) 2023–2024: Returned to hometown club to provide depth in a competitive pool of goalkeepers.
- Portland Thorns (2024): Waived in August 2024, Alvarado pursued opportunities abroad.
- Club Tijuana (2024-2025): After two seasons with Los Xolos, she registered 16 appearances for the club.
National team:
- Mexico U-17: Key part of the 2013 CONCACAF U‑17 Championship win, saving two penalties, including one in the final
- Mexico U-20: Heroic performance in the 2018 U‑20 CONCACAF Championship (Golden Glove; Best XI; crucial penalty saves in semifinal and final)
- Mexico Senior team: May 26, 2019, played vs. USA; youngest Mexican in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup roster (age 16). She has registered 19 senior caps.
1. Diana Ordóñez (Forward, Tigres)
Formerly with the Houston Dash (NWSL), Diana Ordóñez broke the rookie goal-scoring records at North Carolina Courage.
At 23 years old, she brings physical presence and lethal scoring ability. She is the top scorer for the Mexican national team and a gold medalist at the 2023 Pan American Games
Club career:
- North Carolina Courage (2022): Ordóñez scored 11 goals to break the NWSL rookie record.
- Houston Dash (2023–25): In 44 matches over two seasons, she netted 8 goals.
National team:
- Mexico national team: She has managed to register 29 appearances and 10 goals.
Why Diana Ordóñez is the top pick for this Apertura 2025?
Diana Ordóñez was prolific during her youth career and her time in the NWSL with North Carolina Courage and Houston Dash, consistently demonstrating her ability to produce goals at the highest level.
She is already a key figure in the Mexican national team, leading the scoring charts during the 2023 Pan American Games, where they won the Gold Medal. At 1.80m tall, she offers rare physical dominance in the box for Liga MX Femenil. She combines size, mobility, and technical finishing—traits that make her an elite striker.
At just 23 years old, Ordóñez is entering her athletic prime. Tigres is not just getting a short-term figure, they’re adding a striker who can lead their attack for multiple seasons and even grow into a global star. Her signing represents a statement for Liga MX Femenil. As a Mexican-American with NCAA, NWSL, and international experience, Ordóñez bridges markets, draws international attention, and shows that the league can attract top young talent over Europe or NWSL.
What does the media and fans think about this signing?
TV Azteca Deportes noted: "Her presence offers variety in attack, considering potential departures that could impact the attacking area. Today she brings hope to Tigres". A statement which reflects the media's perception of her as a transformative signing with potential for the club.
Fans already spoke about the signing: "No doubt her presence is imposing. Hopefully she’ll perform well and contribute. Let’s go, Diana!". They’re full of anticipation for the season ahead, confident that their new additions can help them go one step further and capture a record-breaking seventh title.
Liga MX Apertura 2025 season marks a new phase of international growth and consolidation for Liga MX Femenil, with high-profile reinforcements leading the way. The mix of players with European experience, young prospects having trained abroad, and international signings reflects the commitment from clubs to elevate the league’s competitive level.
With these additions, the league not only boosts its footballing quality but also strengthens its position as one of the most dynamic and attractive competitions in the Americas.
Which transfer will make the biggest impact? Let us know!