César Montes has had a tumultuous year with Almería, struggling to meet expectations on the field and shouldering the weight of a hefty transfer fee. However, his performances for the Mexican national team have been a different story altogether. Whenever he puts on the tricolor jersey, Montes seems to rediscover his best form.
Despite being willing to stay, Montes will not continue with Almería next year. The club has other plans for him and is looking to sell. While there are no concrete offers yet, teams from Spain, France, Russia, and Mexico have shown interest. Montes’ impressive displays, including a standout performance in Mexico’s Copa América opener against Jamaica, have boosted his profile.
Montes was the leader in Mexico’s 1-0 victory over Jamaica, playing the full 90 minutes and even taking on the captain’s armband after Edson Álvarez’s injury. He recorded an impressive 19 passes over lines, won all his aerial duels, and blocked eight shots to preserve the Mexican goal. With international tournaments like the Copa América serving as a platform to revalue players, Montes is taking advantage of the opportunity to shine.