Hirving “Chucky” Lozano has reached a point in his career where there’s no room left for improvisation. The Mexican forward knows his next move has to be carefully calculated, because time is running out and the World Cup is right around the corner. That’s why the idea of an immediate return to Liga MX has lost momentum behind the scenes, especially with Tigres. According to information reported by AS, the club from Nuevo León sees no sporting logic in moving for Lozano right now, and that decision has nothing to do with any technical assessment of the player.
The end of his time in San Diego explains a lot about the current moment
Tigres may have started the Clausura 2026 without making any signings, but that doesn’t mean they lack firepower up front. Quite the opposite. The squad already has enough options to compete at a high level, which would make Lozano a difficult fit. A player with his résumé and stature isn’t willing to be just another piece in the rotation, especially in a year that’s so important for the Mexican national team. That reality, combined with his high salary demands, all but took the move off the table. Chivas and Pachuca live in the imagination of fans, but financially they’re not part of this conversation. Mexican soccer today can’t keep up with that level of expectation.
Lozano’s exit from San Diego FC helps explain why his future has turned into a puzzle. The club was blunt early in the 2026 preseason when it announced that the forward was no longer part of its sporting plans. That decision didn’t erase what he delivered on the field. There were solid numbers, clear protagonism and immediate impact for a franchise new to MLS. Even so, issues of fit, locker-room environment and long-term vision carried more weight. Lozano stopped being a sporting priority, and that completely changed the dynamics of his career right now.
Atlanta emerges as a practical solution, not an emotional one
With Liga MX largely out of the picture, MLS stands out as the most logical path, but not just any destination. According to AS, Atlanta United has emerged as the most viable option for a simple reason. It’s the only club capable of meeting Lozano’s financial expectations, estimated at around nine million dollars per year. On top of that, there’s a decisive factor that can’t be ignored, Gerardo “Tata” Martino. The coach knows the player, trusts him and understands exactly how to use him. For someone who needs minutes, a clear role and stability on the eve of a World Cup, that matters more than any speech.
Lozano is under contract through 2028 and, while a final decision hasn’t been made, he continues training and staying fit. There’s no panic, but there is a quiet sense of urgency. With only a few months left before the World Cup, getting the next move wrong could cost him his place later on.
Lozano’s situation is less about going back and more about sporting survival. Fans don’t always accept it, and the destination doesn’t always feel right. Right now, Chucky is looking for a place where he can play, compete and arrive whole on the biggest stage of his career.