Player Profile

Barrera is a talented winger with tremendous speed and great shooting ability. He is usually deployed on the right wing, but can also play on the left. He has been in excellent form for his club this season and although he may have to settle for a place on the bench in South Africa, he is sure to be used as an impact substitute.

Barrera came through the Pumas youth system and made his first-team debut in 2005. He became a first-team regular two years later and was a key part of the side that won the Clausura title (champions of the second half of the season) in 2008/09.

He missed six months of action after rupturing cruciate ligaments in his left knee in 2008, but has been in excellent form since his return, hitting 11 goals in 28 league appearances this season.

He was part of Mexico’s Under-20 World Cup side in 2007 and made his senior debut later that year. His first two goals for his country came during Mexico’s triumphant 2009 Gold Cup campaign. Arsenal were reportedly keen on signing the winger before he suffered his knee injury.