The $6 Million Mystery: Why Chucky Lozano is Sidelined Ahead of San Diego FC Debut

By Oddixa —

Mexican star Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano finds himself in a bizarre professional limbo, earning millions while waiting for San Diego FC's 2025 kickoff as his national team status fades.

The Curious Case of Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano

In the world of professional sports, health is usually the primary barrier keeping elite athletes off the pitch. However, Hirving "Chucky" Lozano is currently the center of one of the most unusual situations in North American soccer. Despite being healthy and at a prime age for a winger, the Mexican international is currently being paid a staggering $6 million salary to effectively sit on the sidelines.

As the marquee signing for MLS newcomer San Diego FC, expectations were that Lozano would maintain his match fitness and star power leading into the club's 2025 debut. Instead, a series of logistical decisions and international snubs have left the "face of the franchise" in a state of competitive hibernation.

From Eredivisie Champion to Professional Limbo

Lozano’s journey to San Diego followed a successful second stint with PSV Eindhoven, where he helped the Dutch giants secure another Eredivisie title. While San Diego FC secured his signature early to build excitement around their inaugural season, the plan for the interim period has gone off the rails.

Typically, when an MLS expansion team signs a European-based star months in advance, the player remains on loan to stay sharp. However, Lozano’s time at PSV concluded, and rather than finding a short-term home to maintain his rhythm, he has been relegated to individual training and promotional appearances. For bettors and fans alike, this raises a massive red flag regarding "match rust" once he finally dons the San Diego kit in February 2025.

The National Team Fallout: A Blow to Mexico's Odds

Perhaps more concerning than his club status is Lozano's standing with the Mexican National Team (El Tri). Once considered the undisputed leader of the attack, Chucky was a glaring omission from Mexico’s recent Copa América squad and subsequent friendlies.

For sports bettors who follow CONCACAF markets, Lozano’s absence has a tangible impact on Mexico’s offensive ceiling. Without his ability to stretch defenses and create individual brilliance on the wing, El Tri has looked stagnant. If Lozano continues to lack competitive minutes, his chances of regaining a spot under the current managerial regime look slim—a factor that could shift the lines on Mexico’s 2026 World Cup futures.

Betting Context: San Diego FC’s 2025 Outlook

When oddsmakers begin releasing 2025 MLS Cup futures, San Diego FC will be an intriguing, if risky, play. The "expansion tax" usually means long odds for new teams, but a healthy, in-form Chucky Lozano could theoretically make them a playoff contender in Year 1.

However, bettors should exercise caution for several reasons:

A $6 Million Gamble for San Diego

San Diego FC is betting $6 million that Lozano’s brand power is enough to sell out Snapdragon Stadium, regardless of his recent lack of playing time. From a business perspective, having a Mexican icon as the face of a Southern California team is a masterstroke. From a sporting and betting perspective, it is a massive gamble.

Can a player truly justify a top-tier salary while his skills potentially atrophy in the shadows? For now, Lozano remains the highest-paid spectator in world soccer. As we approach the 2025 MLS season, all eyes—and plenty of betting slips—will be focused on whether Chucky can flip the switch back to "on" or if this period of inactivity has permanently lowered his ceiling.