As Vicente Sánchez’s Cruz Azul prepares to face Club León in the Liga MX quarterfinals next month, all eyes are on Jorge Sánchez, the hardworking right-back whose journey from poverty to professional football continues to inspire.
Now earning $1.5 million per season, Sánchez is one of Cruz Azul’s highest-paid players. But behind the paycheck lies a story of grit and sacrifice. In a heartfelt interview with content creator Debryanshow, the Mexican international recalled his humble roots including a time when he made money by giving pony rides to children, just to help feed his family.
“Everything I earned, I gave straight to my mom so we could eat,” Sánchez shared. “There were days when even a meal was hard to come by.”
His first football paycheck 1,500 pesos at age 17 while playing for Santos Laguna was spent celebrating with burgers and sodas alongside his mother and sister. “We cried while eating. It wasn’t much, but we enjoyed every bite.”
Despite ups and downs since joining Cruz Azul in mid-2024 as Rodrigo Huescas’ replacement, Sánchez remains a symbol of perseverance. After making his pro debut in 2016, he rose through the ranks with Club América, earned a move to Ajax, and later joined FC Porto before returning to Mexico.
Though his role with the national team has waned under Javier Aguirre, Sánchez remains in contention for the 2025 Gold Cup squad and is widely regarded as one of the top full-backs in Liga MX.
@debryanshow Gran historia de #JorgeSanchez ♬ sonido original – Rayito⚡️
With the quarterfinals set to begin on May 7 or 8, Cruz Azul who finished third in the standings will host the decisive second leg at home. For Sánchez, it’s another chapter in a journey defined by resilience, heart, and unwavering dedication to family.
