From Ski Mask to MLS Champion: The Transformative Journey of Edwin Cerrillo

Yesterday at 10:00 AM

Being the new kid on the block is never easy—especially when that block is in Los Angeles. Edwin Cerrillo's arrival in LA came with a clear mission: reinvention.

Stepping off the plane at LAX after his journey from Dallas, Cerrillo, once a self-proclaimed shy individual, quickly embraced the spotlight. From making an appearance in a popular YouTube video by Chicos Tóxicos to refining his style and fashion, winning an MLS championship, and standing "ten toes down" against the greatest soccer player of all time, Cerrillo's start to his LA Galaxy career has been nothing short of star-studded.

Cerrillo's rise was meteoric. From the very first game of the regular season, soccer fans around the world were eager to learn more about him. In that match, Inter Miami CF visited the LA Galaxy, and Lionel Messi found himself marked by a young, promising midfielder who had yet to start more than 10 games for the Galaxy: Edwin Cerrillo. Throughout the match, Cerrillo shadowed Messi relentlessly, even engaging in a face-to-face confrontation with the legendary player—a bold move for the former U20 World Cup USYNT player.

It was the kind of moment that catapulted Cerrillo into the spotlight, and within days, he became a hot topic in press conferences, Instagram posts, Twitter quotes, and countless articles. The spotlight was on him, and suddenly, it was impossible for him to hide in the shadows.

Amid the whirlwind of attention, Cerrillo did something few MLS players dare to do: he went undercover in a video created by Chicos Tóxicos. Donning a ski mask, Cerrillo took on challengers in a 1v1 soccer duel with $500 on the line, fully embracing his newfound hype by collaborating with some of his favorite YouTube creators—even if it meant stepping outside of his comfort zone. It was a bold move, not just in terms of his public persona, but also as a way to connect with his fans in an entirely different realm.

The video showed a lighter, more playful side to the young midfielder, especially after the world had just witnessed his fierce stare-down with Messi. Cerrillo had fun with the experience, proving that even in the face of newfound fame, he could remain grounded and have a laugh. Reflecting on the experience, Cerrillo shared, "They're good kids. They have their own career path, but they're genuine. They make me laugh, as they do millions of other people. A good experience."

The MLS version of an Uncle Drew-style video is sure to be remembered for years to come, capturing a unique chapter in Cerrillo’s journey that many fans didn't see coming.

Even amidst the excitement of becoming a professional soccer player, Cerrillo never lost sight of his need for growth—both on and off the field. Despite having played over 80 games for FC Dallas, he felt there was more to accomplish. The move to Los Angeles provided the ideal environment for that evolution. "I think when I was in Dallas, I got very complacent and thought I'd be there for a couple more years. But things can change fast," he explained.

Arriving in LA alone, without friends or family, pushed him to open up in ways he hadn't before. "Going into a new city with no friends, no family—really, really by myself—pushed me to be more open and to be more of myself from the start." Fashion, a passion he'd always had, became a new form of self-expression, something LA offered in ways Dallas hadn't.

When Cerrillo felt good off the field, it translated to his play on the field. That newfound confidence added swagger to his game, and when asked about what changed this season, he shared, "It helps when you win the championship; it gives you a little bit more swagger."

By the end of the season, Cerrillo was celebrating as an MLS Champion, playing a crucial role in helping the Galaxy lift "la sexta" with several key performances. However, before he could truly savor the victory, the reality of MLS hit quickly. Just after the final, with everyone still reveling in the championship, two of his teammates, Gaston Brugman and Jalen Neal, were traded out of Los Angeles. "Just after the final, everybody’s still celebrating, and then next thing you know, your boys are leaving—your boys off to who knows where," Cerrillo reflected.

"And the first thing that comes to mind is, this is MLS. You make it to the final, and things have to move pretty fast… So, it's something I've adapted to, kind of realizing how things work, especially when I got traded from Dallas to LA." The abruptness of the trades underscored the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of professional soccer, but Cerrillo has come to accept this as part of the game.

As the 2025 MLS season draws closer, Cerrillo's focus isn't solely on winning a record seventh MLS Cup for the Galaxy. Although he represented the United States at the youth level, Cerrillo's roots run deep in Mexico. He grew up with two Mexican parents and fondly remembers attending his dad's soccer games with his two brothers. Soccer was instilled in him from a young age, and it continues to serve as a way for him to stay connected to his heritage and family.

"I think a goal of mine—not just for this next year but since I started my professional career—has been to make a national team," Cerrillo shared. "I'm Mexican-American, and I think I'm a 200-percenter, as some people say. My parents are from Mexico, and it's no secret that I'm very, very proud of my Mexican culture, but I also feel very American. I've never been in the position to choose, so I don't know how that would go. But for now, I'm just going to work hard to get a national team call-up and decide what's best for me at that moment."

Looking ahead to the 2025 MLS season, Cerrillo's journey from a shy newcomer to an MLS champion is a testament to growth, resilience, and the courage to embrace new challenges. From the pressure of facing Lionel Messi to the personal transformation that came with relocating to Los Angeles, Cerrillo has proven that he's not just here to play soccer—he's here to make a lasting impact in the City of Angels.