Johan Vázquez

Johan Felipe Vásquez Ibarra (born 22 October 1998) is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Genoa CFC, which he captains, and the Mexico national team.

Club career Sonora Vásquez first joined Tigres UANL youth academy in 2015. He then briefly transferred to Tercera División de México club Poblado Miguel Alemán FC in 2016 before settling in Cimarrones de Sonora, successfully going through the ranks until reaching the first team and making his professional debut in the Ascenso MX.

Monterrey In April 2018, Vásquez joined Monterrey on a two-year loan deal with the option to buy. He was eventually purchased by Monterrey for US$2 million, making him the most expensive transfer between the top two levels of Mexican football.

Vásquez made his debut with Monterrey on 2 August in a 2–1 Copa MX home victory over Puebla. He debuted in the league on 6 October in a away 1–2 loss to Cruz Azul.

Pumas UNAM In December 2019, following a lack of playing time, Vásquez joined Pumas UNAM on loan with the option to buy. On 12 January 2020, he made his debut with the team, appearing in the starting line up against Pachuca as the Pumas won 2–1. Two months later, following impressive performances, 50 percent of his rights were purchased by UPumas UNAM.

He solidified his place in the starting eleven, helping the team reach the Guardianes 2020 championship finals, losing against León in an aggregate 3–1. He was subsequently included in the tournament's best XI.

Genoa 2021–22: Debut season On 16 August 2021, Vásquez joined Serie A club Genoa on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy after one played match for a transfer fee of €3.5 million. On 17 October, Vásquez made his debut with the team in a league match against Sassuolo, scoring the equalizing goal for his team for a 2–2 draw.

2022–23: Loan to Cremonese On 18 June 2022, Vásquez moved to recently promoted Cremonese on loan with an option to buy. On 6 May 2023, Vásquez scored Cremonese's second goal in a 2–0 victory over Spezia. He returned to Genoa after the end of the season.

On 22 February 2024, Vásquez renewed his contract with Genoa, extending it through 2027.

2024–25: Player of the season On 2 March 2025, Vásquez scored the tying goal for his club against Empoli in a 1–1 draw. On 13 April, Vásquez made his 121st league appearance in a scoreless draw against Hellas Verona, surpassing Hirving Lozano as the Mexican with the most appearances in Serie A. On 11 May, in his 100th Serie A appearance with Genoa, he scored the equalizing goal in 2–2 away draw against Napoli. On 19 May, he was awarded the club's "Grifone d'Oro" for best player of the season.

Prior to the beginning of the season, he was named captain. On 15 August, Vásquez made his debut as team captain in a 3–0 home victory over Vicenza in the first round of that season's Coppa Italia. On that same month, it was reported Vásquez extended his contract through 2028.

International career Youth Vásquez began his international career with the under-23 side, featuring at the 2019 Pan American Games where Mexico won the bronze medal. He also participated at the 2020 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship, scoring one goal in five appearances, where Mexico won the competition. He was included in the tournament's Best XI. Vásquez was subsequently called up to participate in the 2020 Summer Olympics. He scored Mexico's second goal in a 3–1 victory over Olympic hosts, Japan, in the third-place match for the bronze medal.

Senior

On 2 October 2019, under Gerardo Martino, Vásquez made his senior national team debut in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago. He came on as a substitute replacing Paolo Yrizar in the 63rd minute in Mexico's 2–0 win.

In October 2022, Vásquez was named in Mexico's preliminary 31-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and in November, he was ultimately included in the final 26-man roster, but did not receive any minutes on the field during the tournament.

Vásquez was included in Jaime Lozano's roster for the 2023 Gold Cup that Mexico won, where he was included in the tournament's Best XI.

Vásquez was called up by Javier Aguirre to participate at the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals and the subsequent Gold Cup in which Mexico won both after defeating both Panama and the United States, respectively. He was included in both tournament's best XI.

Vásquez was named in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted on home soil.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first. + List of international goals scored by Johan Vásquez No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 23 March 2023 Frank Essed Stadion, Paramaribo, Suriname 1–0 2–0 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A 2. 30 May 2026 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, United States 1–0 1–0 Friendly 3. 4 June 2026 Estadio Nemesio Díez, Toluca, Mexico 1–1 5–1

Honours Monterrey Liga MX: Apertura 2019 CONCACAF Champions League: 2019 FIFA Club World Cup third place: 2019

Mexico U23 Pan American Bronze Medal: 2019 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship: 2020 Olympic Bronze Medal: 2020

Mexico CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2023, 2025 CONCACAF Nations League: 2024–25

Individual Liga MX Best XI: Guardianes 2020 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship Best XI: 2020 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI: 2025 Genoa Grifone d'Oro: 2024–25