Mario Méndez (Mexican footballer)

Mario Méndez Olagüe (born 1 June 1979) is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a right-back.

Career
Mario Méndez started his career with Club Atlas in the year 1998, in the golden age that included many (at the time, promising) players like Rafael Márquez, Daniel Osorno, Juan Pablo Rodriguez and Miguel Zepeda. With Atlas he got a sub-championship in the year of 1999 having been a vital part in the defense. He stayed with this club until 2004. In 2004 Mario Mendéz was bought by Deportivo Toluca F.C., where he was an important player in the squad playing 49 games and scoring one goal.

Méndez would be sent to Monterrey to play in the Rayados of Monterrey. His time there was limited as he was in the Mexico national team (Selección de fútbol de México) in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. Later that year he was transferred to Tigres on 29 May 2006. He previously played on loan for the Tigres' arch-rival Rayados of Monterrey, and was signed with Club Toluca who negotiated the transference with Tigres.

He was called up to the Mexico national team at the 2006 World Cup. He started for Mexico's first two games against Iran, Angola and later, in the Elimination Round of 16 against Argentina. In the game against Iran he made an assist in the goal of Zihna. Although he had been criticized for his occasional careless plays and teamwork abilities on the national team, he continuesd to be one of Mexico's important talented players.

During the Winter Transfer period, Ricardo Lavolpe, head coach of the Argentine Vélez Sársfield, called on the talents of Mario Méndez for Vélez Sársfield

After Lavolpe's resignation as coach Mendez returned to Mexico, joining Club Toluca.

During the Hugo Sanchez era, Mendez was not called up for Mexico. Méndez returned to the team under the new manager Sven-Göran Eriksson. He appeared in the September 2008 friendly match against Chile (a 1–0 defeat), coming on as a substitute for Jaime Correa Córdoba. He was loaned out to CD Irapuato on 12 June 2011 after being transferred from Club Toluca. He retired in 2013.

Honours
Toluca
 * Mexican Primera División: Apertura 2005, Apertura 2008

Mexico
 * CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2003

Individual
 * Liga MX Best Rookie: Invierno 1998
 * Liga MX Best Full-back: Clausura 2009