Jump to content

Cruz Azul

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cruz Azul
Full nameClub de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V.
NicknamesLa Máquina (The Machine)
Los Celestes (The Sky Blues)
Los Cementeros (The Cement Workers)
Las Liebres (The Hares)
Los de La Noria (Those from La Noria)
Short nameCAZ
Founded22 May 1927; 99 years ago (1927-05-22) (as Club Deportivo, Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, A.C.)[note 1]
GroundEstadio Azteca
Capacity87,523
OwnerCooperativa La Cruz Azul
PresidentVíctor Velázquez
Head coachJoel Huiqui
LeagueLiga MX
Clausura 2026Regular phase: 3rd of 18
Final phase: Champions
Websitecfcruzazul.com
Current season

Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V., commonly referred to as Cruz Azul, is a professional football club based in Mexico City. The club competes in Liga MX, the top division of Mexican football. Founded in 1927 in Jasso, Hidalgo, by workers of the Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, as Club Deportivo, Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, A.C., the club relocated to Mexico City in 1971. It was renamed Cruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C. in 2012, before adopting its current name in 2022.[2] The team plays its home matches at Estadio Azteca, one of the largest stadiums in the world.[3]

Domestically, the club has won ten league titles, four Copa MX, four Campeón de Campeones, and holds the joint-record with one Supercopa de la Liga MX and one Supercopa MX. In international competitions, with seven titles, the club holds the joint-record for the most successful club in the history of the CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League. Cruz Azul also holds numerous distinctions, including being the club with the most league runner-up finishes (12),[4] and the first team from CONCACAF to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores.[5] In addition, the club achieved a continental treble in the 1968–69 season by winning the Primera División, Copa México and CONCACAF Champions' Cup, becoming the first CONCACAF club and third worldwide to accomplish this feat,[6] and later the first club worldwide—and one of only five—to have won the continental treble twice.[7]

Cruz Azul's golden era came under manager Raúl Cárdenas, who led a three-peat in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup between 1969 and 1971 as the club established itself as a dominant force in Mexican football and earned its La Máquina (The Machine) nickname for its relentless scoring output during this period; Ignacio Trelles added back-to-back league titles at the turn of the 1980s, and between them the two managers delivered a combined seven league titles through the 1960s and 1970s. Juan Reynoso—a defender in the team's 1997 league title-winning squad—later managed the club to a ninth league title in 2021, its first during the Liga MX era, ending a 23-year wait for the domestic title. Joel Huiqui then guided Cruz Azul to a tenth league title in 2026.[8]

In 2026, Cruz Azul was named by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics as the 71st-best club in the world and the highest-ranked club in CONCACAF for the 2025 calendar year.[9][10] Cruz Azul maintains a long-standing rivalry with América, a fixture commonly known as the Clásico Joven. According to several polls, it is the third-most popular team in Mexico, behind only América and Guadalajara. Within the Mexico City metropolitan area, it is generally regarded as the second-most supported club, behind América and ahead of Pumas UNAM.[11] Cruz Azul is also one of seven Mexican clubs that have never been relegated.[12] Together, these clubs are considered the Big Four of Mexican football.[13][14]

History

[edit]

1927–1961: Formation and amateur years

[edit]
Carlos Garcés López, who campaigned for the company to adopt football as its sport.

Cruz Azul originated at the cement works of the Compañía Manufacturera de Cemento Portland La Cruz Azul in Jasso, Hidalgo, the predecessor of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul. The works dated to 1881, when the British businessman Henry Gibbon established a lime factory at the site.[15] In 1925, the company planned to form a baseball team, reflecting the sport's popularity in the area.[16] Carlos Garcés López, a dentist employed by the company, argued for football instead. A former América player, he had been part of Mexico's squad in the national team's first official matches in 1923[17] and was in the squad for the 1928 Olympics.[18][19][20] After sustained lobbying, the company held a referendum on 22 March 1927 in which football was chosen.[21] A football pitch replaced the baseball diamond, and the team was formally established on 22 May 1927, with Garcés López as its first manager.[19] In its early years, the team played regional tournaments in which all of its players were company workers.[22]

In 1931, during the Great Depression, falling demand for cement pushed the company toward bankruptcy, and on 1 March 1931 it was sold to the cement firm La Tolteca. A group of 192 workers organised and sued the company's executives to stop the transfer of the property, which was scheduled for 15 October 1931.[23][24] The Hidalgo state government ruled in the workers' favour, and they took control of the plant on 2 November 1931, agreeing to repay its cost over ten years.[15] On 21 May 1932, the governor of Hidalgo, Bartolomé Vargas Lugo, decreed the 192 workers collective owners of the plant by expropriation, and on 29 January 1934 the company was reconstituted as the Cooperativa Manufacturera de Cemento Portland La Cruz Azul, S.C.L.[25] When the debt was settled in 1941, the club organised a celebratory match against Real España, which ended 0–0.[26][27][28][note 2] Commentators have linked the club's origins in a workers' cooperative to its working-class image.[29][30]

The team won the Hidalgo amateur league title repeatedly between 1932 and 1943, and on eight occasions represented the state in national amateur tournaments. From the mid-1930s to the late 1940s, it regularly travelled to Mexico City to play the reserve teams of Atlante, Necaxa, Marte and Real España at Parque Necaxa.[31][32] By 1937, the club had a considerable following in both Hidalgo and Mexico City.[33][22][24][32] Guillermo Álvarez Macías, later the head of the cooperative, played as a midfielder for the team in this period.[34]

On 10 December 1953, the cooperative's general assembly put Álvarez Macías in charge of the company.[15][35] Employed by the company since childhood, he had begun as an automotive mechanic and spent more than two decades rising through its ranks. He planned to turn the cooperative's settlement into a functioning town, with the aim of modernising it and raising the standard of living of workers and their families.[36] He invested in cultural and recreational and in the football club, whose proceeds were used to improve the worker-players' living conditions.[34]

In 1958, club captain Luis Velázquez Hernández represented the club before the Mexican Football Federation in a bid for official membership.[37][38] In Mexico City he met Paulino Sánchez, who had ties to prominent football figures, and the two met Joaquín Soria Terrazas and Ignacio Trelles to discuss admitting the club.[39] Sánchez argued in the club's favour, citing its record in amateur and reserve tournaments; Álvarez Macías, who believed the club was not ready for professional football, was displeased by the move.[26][40]

To prepare for membership, Sánchez became the club's head manager. Federation rules required member clubs to have a reserve team, so Cruz Azul bought Lafayette, a financially troubled club from Colonia Moctezuma, in a deal completed in 1960.[41][42][43] Plans for a stadium meeting federation standards were drawn up in 1960,[44] and Estadio 10 de Diciembre was built between 1961 and 1963.[45]

Although it did not yet hold federation membership, the club was invited to enter the 1960–61 Copa de la Segunda División de México, a federation-sanctioned competition. Its first match, on 2 April 1961 in Jasso, was a 2–1 win over Zamora; the return leg on 9 April ended in a 3–3 draw. Cruz Azul then beat Querétaro 1–0 on aggregate before losing to Pumas UNAM. The performance led the federation to grant the club official registration as a professional side.[43][46][47]

1961–1968: Transition to professionalism and promotion

[edit]

Cruz Azul was officially registered to compete in Mexico's second-tier professional league for the 1961–62 season.[48] Around this time, federation rules barring the use of company names in club titles led Álvarez Macías to request the renaming of the town of Jasso, Hidalgo, to Ciudad Cooperativa Cruz Azul, allowing the club to keep the name "Cruz Azul" as a reference to a place rather than a commercial brand.[49]

Club captain Porfirio Gutiérrez (left) and Guillermo Álvarez Macías (right) holding the Segunda División trophy in 1964.

The Hungarian coach Jorge Marik, who had previously managed Atlas and Atlante, took charge in 1961.[50][51] In its first two professional seasons, the club finished fourth of 16 in the 1961–62 season and fifth of 16 in the 1962–63 season.[52][53] Under Marik, Cruz Azul won the 1963–64 Segunda División title, finishing with 19 wins, seven draws and four losses from 30 matches for 45 points,[54] and secured direct promotion to the Primera División with a 7–1 win over Zamora on 19 January 1964.[55]

Following promotion, Estadio 10 de Diciembre was renovated from 6 March 1964, with its wooden stands and dressing rooms rebuilt to meet top-flight regulations.[45] Cruz Azul made its Primera División debut on 6 June 1964, losing 4–1 away to Monterrey, and recorded its first top-flight win two matchdays later, 3–2 away to Oro on 21 June 1964.[56] The club finished its debut 1964–65 season in eighth place, with ten wins, nine draws and 11 losses.[57] Marik departed after a weaker 1965–66 campaign, in which the team finished 13th of 16 clubs.[58] Walter Ormeño managed the side for three matches before Raúl Cárdenas was appointed on 20 October 1966, becoming the club's first Mexican head coach in the top flight.[59][60][61]

1968–1980: Dominant era and birth of La Máquina

[edit]

Under Cárdenas, Cruz Azul won its first league title in the 1968–69 season, finishing top of the table on points with 18 wins, eight draws and four losses.[62][63] The same season, the club also won its first Copa México and first CONCACAF Champions' Cup, a continental treble that made Cruz Azul the first club in Mexico and the CONCACAF region to win all three competitions within five years of reaching the top flight.[64] Because the league and cup were won in the same season, Cruz Azul was also automatically awarded the Campeón de Campeones title, giving the club four major titles in a single calendar year—a feat no other Mexican club has achieved.[65][66]

Raúl Cárdenas (left) won 11 titles as Cruz Azul's head coach between 1966 and 1975; Ignacio Trelles (right) added two more to close the decade.[67][68]

In the 1969–70 season, Cruz Azul finished second behind Guadalajara, level with Veracruz on 39 points; the runner-up place was decided by a play-off, which Cruz Azul won on penalties at Estadio Azteca on 4 January 1970.[55][69] Due to Mexico hosting the 1970 FIFA World Cup, the following tournament was held under a separate format and name, México 1970, contested in two phases either side of the World Cup; Cruz Azul won it to claim a second league title.[70] On 15 December that year, the club was also awarded the 1970 CONCACAF Champions' Cup after Saprissa and Transvaal withdrew from the tournament's second phase.[71][72]

In 1971, Cruz Azul relocated from Ciudad Cooperativa Cruz Azul to Mexico City, moving into Estadio Azteca after outgrowing Estadio 10 de Diciembre.[70][73] Cruz Azul won a third consecutive CONCACAF title in the 1971 edition, whose final was played at the new stadium on 19 April 1972 and won 5–1, with two goals each from Eladio Vera [es] and Octavio Muciño and one from Fernando Bustos,[74] and went on to finish runners-up to Nacional of Uruguay in the 1971 Copa Interamericana.[75] On 21 December 1971, Cruz Azul signed Argentine goalkeeper Miguel Marín from Vélez Sarsfield for $30,000; he went on to anchor the team for a decade.[76] During this period, the team gained the nickname La Máquina ("The Machine"), in reference to the consistency of its results and playing style.[77] Cruz Azul won three consecutive league titles between 1971 and 1974.[78] In the 1971–72 final, Cruz Azul beat América 4–1 at Estadio Azteca;[79] in 1972–73 it defeated León over a three-match final; and in 1973–74 it beat Atlético Español to complete the run, a result that also secured that season's Campeón de Campeones title.[80]

Cárdenas left Cruz Azul in 1975.[81] Ignacio Trelles took charge of the club the following year[82] and, on 18 December 1976, long-serving club president Guillermo Álvarez Macías died of a heart attack at the age of 56 while awaiting a meeting with president José López Portillo.[49][83] Joel Luis Becerril Benítez took interim control of the cooperative, and in 1978 the general assembly of members formally elected him to lead it for a ten-year term.[84][85] Under Trelles, Cruz Azul won consecutive league titles to close the decade: the 1978–79 title against Pumas UNAM and the 1979–80 title against Tigres UANL.[86] Between 1969 and 1980, Cruz Azul won seven league titles, one Copa México and two Campeón de Campeones titles, establishing the club as the most successful in Mexican football during the decade.[70]

1981–1996: Years without a title

[edit]
Miguel Marín's farewell match against Guadalajara, 6 June 1981.

On 6 June 1981, Marín played his farewell match for Cruz Azul against Guadalajara,[87] shortly before the club, as defending champion, lost the 1980–81 final to Pumas UNAM. Cruz Azul won the first leg 1–0 at Estadio Azteca, but Pumas won the return leg 4–1 to take the title 4–2 on aggregate.[88] Trelles remained as head coach for a further two seasons without winning another title.[82]

Cruz Azul continued to qualify for the playoffs in most seasons during the 1980s and reached three further finals, losing all three. In 1986–87, the club won the first leg 2–1 at home to Guadalajara but lost the return leg 0–3 at Estadio Jalisco, finishing runners-up 4–2 on aggregate.[89] The following season, Cruz Azul reached the final of the 1987–88 Copa México, the competition's first edition after a twelve-year hiatus, losing to Puebla on the away goals rule.[90] In the 1988–89 final, Cruz Azul lost the first leg 2–3 at home to América and drew the return leg 2–2, finishing runners-up 5–4 on aggregate.[91]

In 1988, Guillermo Héctor Álvarez Cuevas, the son of the late Guillermo Álvarez Macías, became general manager of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul and president of the club.[92] Under his leadership, Cruz Azul signed striker Carlos Hermosillo in 1991.[93] In 1993–94, Hermosillo finished as the league's top scorer with 27 goals.[94]

In 1994–95, Cruz Azul finished third in the table and reached the final for the first time since 1989, eliminating Pumas UNAM in the quarter-finals[95] and América 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.[96] In the final, Cruz Azul drew 1–1 with Necaxa in the first leg before losing the second 0–2, finishing runners-up 3–1 on aggregate.[97] Hermosillo finished as the season's top scorer for a second consecutive year with 35 goals.[94] Between the 1980–81 and 1994–95 finals, Cruz Azul lost all five finals it reached in league and cup competition, a run that left the club without a major title for 16 years.[98] In 1995–96, Hermosillo finished as the league's top scorer for a third consecutive season with 26 goals.[94] That year, Cruz Azul left Estadio Azteca, its home since 1971, and moved to the Estadio Azulgrana, which it renamed Estadio Azul.[99]

1996–2001: End of the drought and a Copa Libertadores final

[edit]

On 20 July 1996, Cruz Azul ended its 16-year wait for a major title by winning the 1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup in Guatemala City. Under manager Víctor Manuel Vucetich, the club topped the final group stage, defeating Seattle Sounders 11–0 in the group's final matchday to secure the title.[100][101] That season, Cruz Azul also won the 1996–97 Copa México, defeating Toros Neza 2–0 at Estadio 10 de Diciembre.[102]

Cruz Azul before facing León in the second leg of the Invierno 1997 final, 7 December 1997.

In 1997, under new manager Luis Fernando Tena, Cruz Azul retained the CONCACAF title, defeating LA Galaxy in the final on 24 August,[103] and later reached the final of the Invierno 1997 league tournament against León. Cruz Azul won the first leg 1–0 at Estadio Azul through a penalty from Benjamín Galindo on 4 December.[104] In the return leg on 7 December, León equalised the aggregate score in regular time, sending the match to extra time. In the first period of extra time, León goalkeeper Ángel Comizzo fouled Carlos Hermosillo inside the area; referee Arturo Brizio awarded a penalty without sending off Comizzo, and Hermosillo, injured in the challenge, converted it to win the match by golden goal and give Cruz Azul its eighth league title, ending a 17-year wait for the league championship.[105][106] The Copa México, CONCACAF and league titles won across 1996 and 1997 gave Cruz Azul a continental treble for the second time.[64]

In 2001, Cruz Azul qualified for the Copa Libertadores through the Copa Pre-Libertadores, a playoff involving Mexican and Venezuelan clubs, then topped its group in the main tournament.[107] Cruz Azul then eliminated Cerro Porteño in the round of 16, River Plate in the quarter-finals and Rosario Central in the semi-finals to reach the final against Boca Juniors.[107] Cruz Azul lost the first leg 1–0 at Estadio Azteca but won the return leg 1–0 at La Bombonera, with Francisco Palencia levelling the aggregate score; Boca Juniors won the title on penalties.[108] The result made Cruz Azul the first Mexican club to reach a Copa Libertadores final.[109]

2002–2013: International pursuits and runners-up

[edit]

Cruz Azul returned to the Copa Libertadores in 2003, reaching the quarter-finals before losing to Brazilian club Santos.[110] On 16 July 2005, Cruz Azul manager Rubén Omar Romano was abducted by five men after leaving a pre-season training session; the assailants blocked his car with two stolen vehicles, and a ransom note was later delivered to his family demanding $500,000.[111] Assistant coach Isaac Mizrahi Smeke [es] took over team duties during Romano's absence.[112] After 65 days in captivity, Romano was rescued in a federal raid; authorities arrested seven people connected to the abduction, reportedly acting under the orders of convicted kidnapper José Luis Canchola.[113] While Romano was still in captivity, Cruz Azul decided not to renew his contract beyond the Apertura 2005 tournament and offered the head coaching position to Mizrahi.[114]

Between 2008 and 2013, Cruz Azul reached seven major finals — five domestic and two international — winning only one, a pattern that gave rise to the verb cruzazulear in Mexican sports journalism, meaning to lose a match despite holding a winning position.[115] By 2020 the term had been added to the Royal Spanish Academy's Observatorio de palabras, a list of words not yet admitted to its dictionary.[116]

Cruz Azul lost the Clausura 2008 final 3–2 on aggregate to Santos Laguna.[117] Facing Toluca in the Apertura 2008 final, the club lost the first leg 2–0 but levelled the aggregate with a 2–0 win in the return leg, before losing the penalty shoot-out 7–6.[118] Cruz Azul's 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League campaign ended in the final, lost 2–0 on aggregate to Atlante.[119] The Apertura 2009 final brought a 6–4 aggregate defeat to Monterrey.[120] Against Pachuca in the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League final, Cruz Azul won the first leg 2–1 at home but lost the second 1–0, with Pachuca awarded the title on away goals after the aggregate finished tied 2–2.[121]

In April 2012, the club's name was officially changed to Cruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C.[122] The following year, Cruz Azul won the Clausura 2013 Copa MX, defeating Atlante in the final.[123] In the Clausura 2013 league final against América, Cruz Azul led 2–0 on aggregate in the second leg's closing minutes before América equalised with goals in the 89th and 93rd minutes, then won the title 4–2 on penalties.[124]

2014–2020: Continental and domestic titles, playoff struggles

[edit]

On 23 April 2014, Cruz Azul won the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League, beating Toluca on away goals after a 1–1 draw at Nemesio Diez Stadium. It was the club's sixth CONCACAF title and first in 17 years, since 1997.[125] The win qualified Cruz Azul for the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, where the team finished fourth.[126]

Cruz Azul then failed to qualify for the playoffs for six consecutive tournaments, from Apertura 2014 to Clausura 2017.[127] The club returned to the playoffs in Apertura 2017 but was eliminated in the quarter-finals by América on aggregate after a goalless draw, América advancing on higher seeding. Manager Paco Jémez left at the end of that tournament.[128]

In Clausura 2018, Cruz Azul finished 12th and again missed the playoffs. On 7 May 2018, sporting director Eduardo de la Torre was replaced by Ricardo Peláez.[129] Later that year, Cruz Azul won the Apertura 2018 Copa MX, defeating Monterrey 2–0 in the final.[130] In the same tournament's league final, a rematch of the Clausura 2013 final, Cruz Azul drew the first leg 0–0 with América before losing the second 2–0.[131]

On 14 July 2019, Cruz Azul won the 2019 Supercopa MX, defeating Necaxa 4–0 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.[132] The club then won the inaugural 2019 Leagues Cup, a new tournament between Liga MX and Major League Soccer clubs, defeating Tigres UANL 2–1 in the final on 18 September in Las Vegas.[133][134] In the Clausura 2020 season, Cruz Azul led the table after ten matchdays when the tournament was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic; it was later declared void with no champion, and Cruz Azul and León were awarded Mexico's berths in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League based on their standing at the time of suspension.[135] That same month, club president Guillermo Álvarez Cuevas was investigated for alleged money laundering and illicit-source transactions,[136] and on 30 July a federal judge issued an arrest warrant for Álvarez and several other cooperative officials.[137]

2020–present

[edit]

At the start of the 2020–21 season, Álvarez Cuevas resigned as president of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul and the club on 1 August 2020, after 32 years in charge.[138] Víctor Velázquez assumed control of the cooperative's governing councils on an interim basis.[139] Subsequently, Cruz Azul finished fourth in the Guardianes 2020 regular phase with 29 points.[140] In the quarter-finals, Cruz Azul beat Tigres UANL 3–1 away on 26 November, then lost the return leg 0–1 at Estadio Azteca on 28 November, advancing 3–2 on aggregate.[141][142] In the semi-finals, Cruz Azul beat Pumas UNAM 4–0 in the first leg on 3 December but lost the return leg by the same scoreline on 6 December; with the aggregate tied 4–4, Pumas advanced to the final on their higher regular-season placing.[143]

A display in the stands celebrating Cruz Azul's record-equalling run of 12 consecutive wins during the Guardianes 2021 tournament.

Cruz Azul appointed former player Juan Reynoso as head coach on 3 January 2021, ahead of the Guardianes 2021 tournament; Reynoso had been part of the club's squad for its last league title, in 1997.[144] On 5 April 2021, an extraordinary general assembly of the cooperative's members formally elected Velázquez president of its administrative council, with 99.79 per cent of the vote.[145] After two opening defeats in the Guardianes 2021 regular season, Cruz Azul won 12 consecutive matches, equalling a Liga MX record; the club finished the regular phase as league leaders with 41 points from 17 matches.[115] In the playoffs, Cruz Azul eliminated Toluca and Pachuca to reach the final against Santos Laguna. The club won the first leg 1–0 and drew the second 1–1 on 30 May 2021, taking the title 2–1 on aggregate and ending a 23-year wait for the league championship.[115][146] Cruz Azul followed this by defeating León 2–1 in the 2021 Campeón de Campeones match on 18 July.[147]

Cruz Azul's form declined in the following tournaments, and Reynoso was dismissed on 18 May 2022 after elimination in the Clausura 2022 quarter-finals.[148] Diego Aguirre was appointed on 30 May 2022 and won the 2022 Supercopa de la Liga MX on penalties against Atlas, but was dismissed on 21 August after a 7–0 defeat to América.[149][150] Over the next sixteen months, Cruz Azul changed head coach three more times: Raúl Gutiérrez, dismissed in February 2023; Ricardo Ferretti, dismissed that August; and Joaquín Moreno, who took over on an interim basis before being confirmed for the remainder of the Apertura 2023 tournament and later moving to the club's reserve and academy system.[151][152][153][154]

On 20 December 2023, Cruz Azul appointed Martín Anselmi as head coach.[155] In the Clausura 2024 final, Cruz Azul lost 2–1 on aggregate to América, their sixth final between the two clubs, the most contested fixture in Liga MX history.[156][157] In the Apertura 2024, Cruz Azul set a Liga MX record for points in a 17-matchday tournament, finishing on 42, then eliminated Tijuana in the quarter-finals before losing to América in the semi-finals on a stoppage-time penalty.[158][159]

Ahead of the Clausura 2025 tournament, Cruz Azul announced that its home matches would move to Estadio Olímpico Universitario.[160] On 24 January 2025, Anselmi left to join Portuguese club Porto without notifying Cruz Azul in advance, a departure the club considered a breach of contract and pursued through the Court of Arbitration for Sport.[161][162] Vicente Sánchez was appointed interim manager the following day and ratified permanently on 23 February.[163][164] Under Sánchez, Cruz Azul won a seventh CONCACAF Champions Cup, equalling the record held by América, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 5–0 in the final on 1 June 2025 and qualifying for the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.[165] Cruz Azul and Sánchez parted ways by mutual agreement on 6 June 2025.[166]

Nicolás Larcamón was appointed head coach on 16 June 2025.[167] Following a nine-match winless run in the Clausura 2026, he was dismissed on 22 April 2026.[168] Joel Huiqui, then coaching the club's under-21 side, took charge of the first team for the final matchday of the regular season and through the playoffs. Cruz Azul eliminated Atlas and Guadalajara before beating Pumas UNAM 2–1 in the final to win a tenth league title.[169]

Crests and colours

[edit]

Crests

[edit]
Cruz Azul fans display a tifo of the club's crest during the 2012 Copa Libertadores match against Corinthians.

The club's initial crest was a shield-shaped design, featuring the blue cross—a symbol linked to the club's parent company, Cooperativa La Cruz Azul.[170] In 1964, the crest was modified to incorporate the club's full name, Club Deportivo Cruz Azul, within a new shield outline.[171][172] The first major change came in 1971, when the design became a square shape. The following year, stars were introduced above the cross, beginning the tradition of adding a star for each league title.[173]

In 1997, the crest underwent a significant redesign, becoming a fully circular emblem for the first time, and the word "Mexico" was added at the bottom of the outer ring. A year later, the club added an eighth star. The crest was modified in 2021 to commemorate the club's ninth league title, adding a ninth star around the emblem.[174] In 2022, the club changed their name to Club de Futbol Cruz Azul, and all surrounding stars were removed.[175] The most recent modification to the crest occurred in 2025, when the club introduced a slightly updated version of its crest, featuring subtle adjustments to the typography and proportions of the emblem.[176]

Colours

[edit]

The club's primary colours are blue, white, and red. These colours, along with the blue cross symbol, are traditionally linked to the Union Jack due to the cement company's original English founders, Henry Gibbon and Joseph Watson, in 1881. Cruz Azul have maintained the blue shirt for its home kit throughout the history of the club.[170][177] However, in their beginnings, the club's first home kit, worn from 1927 to 1932, consisted of a white shirt with blue vertical stripes. In 1932, the club wore a full white kit with a dark blue collar. Between 1943 and 1944, the club adopted a plain royal blue shirt with white shorts and blue socks.[178] Following the team's professionalisation in the 1960s, the shade of blue became a lighter sky blue. This distinct colour earned the club its popular nickname, Los Celestes (The Sky Blues). By 1968, Cruz Azul returned to a full royal blue kit, and a year later, a white collar and sleeve trim were added.[179] The club's kit design would remained largely unchanged until the early 2000s, when the team began to adopt a sky blue tone once again. Throughout the 2010s, the club used variations alternating between royal and sky blue kits. In the 2021–22 season, Cruz Azul used a royal blue kit with navy blue stripes, replacing the traditional white.[174] Cruz Azul's traditional away colours are all white, often paired with blue shorts.[180]

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

[edit]
Cruz Azul kits from the 1990s and 2000s.
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor (main) Other sponsors
1994–1997 Azul Sport Cemento Cruz Azul None
1997–1998 Fila Lada
1998–2001 Pepsi and Telmex
2002–2004 Umbro
2004–2008 Coca-Cola and Telcel
2008–2009 Coca-Cola, Telcel and Sony
2009–2010 Powerade, Telcel and Sony
2010–2011 Coca-Cola and Telcel
2011–2013 Coca-Cola, Telcel, Tecate and Volaris
2013–2014 Coca-Cola, Telcel, Tecate and Scotiabank
2014–2017 Under Armour Boing!, Scotiabank, Telcel and Tecate
2017–2018 Scotiabank, Telcel and Tecate
2018 Caliente[181]
2019–2023 Joma
2023–2024 Pirma
2024 Caliente and Cemix[182]
2025 Caliente, Cemix and Bankaool[183]
2025– Novibet,[184] Nikko Auto-Parts,[185] Cemix and Bankaool

Nicknames

[edit]
The hare is the animal that is used to represent the team.

Cruz Azul has a variety of nicknames over its history, listed chronologically:

  • Celestes (Sky Blues): This nickname originates from the light blue kits worn by the team in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which resembled sky blue rather than the darker royal blue tone. The distinct color led fans and media to refer to the players as Celestes, a term that remains commonly used today.[186]
  • Cementeros (Cement Workers): The nickname originates from Cruz Azul's affiliation with the Cooperativa La Cruz Azul. The team was originally formed by workers from the cooperative, and over time, the term extended to symbolize not only the company's employees but also construction workers in general.[186][187]
  • Liebres (Hares): During the club's early years in the Primera División, particularly in the mid-1960s, Cruz Azul was known for its fast-paced and physical style of play. Combined with their predominantly white uniforms, this led fans to compare the players to hares, which were common in the region. The nickname became widely adopted, and a stylized, anthropomorphic hare has often been used as a mascot to represent the club. While it is sometimes mistaken for a rabbit, the club has officially confirmed that the mascot is a hare.[188]
  • La Máquina (The Machine / The Locomotive): The nickname La Máquina has several origins. One stems from the railway system used to transport cement from the Cruz Azul plant in the town of Jasso (now part of Ciudad Cooperativa Cruz Azul) to Mexico City. After relocating to the capital, Cruz Azul became one of the most dominant teams in Mexican football during the 1970s. Their strength and consistency led to comparisons with a locomotive, reinforcing the nickname. It is also believed that the moniker may have been inspired by Argentina's River Plate, known as La Máquina in the 1940s. The nickname was popularized by sports journalist Ángel Fernández Rugama, who is often credited with being the first to use the term for Cruz Azul. Variants of the nickname include La Máquina Celeste (The Sky Blue Machine), La Máquina Azul (The Blue Machine), and La Máquina Cementera (The Cement Machine).[77]

Stadium

[edit]
Estadio Azteca, current home of Cruz Azul.

Cruz Azul originally played at Estadio 10 de Diciembre in Jasso, Hidalgo, from 1964 to 1971. The 17,000-seat stadium hosted the club during its first two league title campaigns, in the 1968–69 and 1970 seasons. After the club's departure in 1971, the stadium continued to serve as an alternate venue for Copa México, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, and select league matches.[189]

In 1971, Cruz Azul relocated to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where the club went on to win four league titles along with various domestic and international cup competitions. The club departed in 1996 for Estadio Azul, located in Mexico City's Colonia Nápoles, where they played until 2018. The team returned to Estadio Azteca that year, winning its ninth league title there in 2021.[190]

In 2024, following renovations at Estadio Azteca in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Cruz Azul relocated temporarily to the same Colonia Nápoles venue, by then renamed Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes.[191] After one year, the club moved to Estadio Olímpico Universitario due to logistical difficulties,[192][193] where the club accumulated a 26-match unbeaten record across all competitions.[194] On 6 January 2026, UNAM notified the club that its contract would not be renewed, citing logistical constraints,[195] and Liga MX subsequently authorized the club to play at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla for the Clausura 2026 tournament.[196] The club subsequently confirmed its return to Estadio Azteca—by then renamed Estadio Banorte—as its home ground beginning with the Apertura 2026 tournament.[197]

The club's training facilities, Instalaciones La Noria, are located in La Noria, a suburb within Xochimilco in the southern part of Mexico City.[198] Cruz Azul has also announced plans to construct a new stadium, though no definitive location or timeline has been confirmed.[199]

Support

[edit]
Cruz Azul supporters at Estadio Azul against Libertad in 2012.

The most recent survey from 2021 ranked Cruz Azul as having the third-largest fan base in Mexico, behind Guadalajara and América and ahead of Pumas UNAM, with approximately 10.9% of national support—or around 14 million fans.[200] Historically, the club was primarily supported by cement workers from Cooperativa La Cruz Azul. Following the team's promotion to the Primera División in the 1960s, its fan base began to grow steadily. The 1970s, during which Cruz Azul won six of its nine league titles, marked a significant boom in popularity, establishing the club as one of the most widely supported in the country.[citation needed]

The club became infamous in Mexico for its failure to win a league title between 1997 and 2021. For English-speaking audiences, this so-called "Cruz Azul curse" has been likened to the "Neverkusen" label given to German club Bayer Leverkusen, the "Curse of the Bambino" for MLB's Boston Red Sox, and the "Curse of the Billy Goat" associated with the Chicago Cubs. These comparisons reflect a shared pattern: teams that, despite having competitive squads, consistently fell short in decisive matches or championship games. Cruz Azul's "curse" was finally broken with their victory in the Guardianes 2021 final against Santos Laguna, winning 2–1 on aggregate on 30 May 2021. The title drought had included six lost finals and numerous other painful playoff eliminations.[201] It also gave rise to the colloquial Mexican Spanish verb cruzazulear, meaning to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory or to "choke" in dramatic fashion.[202]

Players entering the pitch through a tunnel formed by Las Celestes, before the match against Atlante on 28 February 2009.

The club had its own official cheerleading club, known as Las Celestes, who were included as part of the club in 2004. For years, they performed pre-match and during the halftime, becoming a valued tradition of the club and among fans. Cruz Azul was the only Mexican team to officially include cheerleaders as part of its club activities. However, as of today, Las Celestes are no longer active.[203]

Cruz Azul's primary organised supporters' group is La Sangre Azul, which is the only supporters' group (barra brava in Spanish) officially recognised by the club.[204] Established in January 2001, the group adopts the South American model of fan organisation, known for using drums, flags, and coordinated displays to create an atmosphere at matches.[205] However, the group's relationship with the club's board has often been strained by conflict. Following violent incidents, including one in March 2015, the group lost access to official club support and faced sanctions from league authorities.[206]

Rivalries

[edit]

Clásico Joven

[edit]
A Clásico Joven match between América and Cruz Azul at Estadio Azteca in 2005.

Cruz Azul's biggest rival is América, with their encounters are famously known as the Clásico Joven (lit. 'Young Classic').[207] The rivalry began in the early 1970s, a period during which both clubs were dominant in Mexican football and often contested league finals. Their first major final meeting came in the 1971–72 season, which Cruz Azul won 4–1, solidifying the rivalry's importance on the national stage. The intensity of the rivalry grew during the 1980s and 1990s, with several highly competitive league and playoff matches. The rivalry regained prominence during the Clausura 2013 finals, when América staged a dramatic comeback to equalize on aggregate in stoppage time before defeating Cruz Azul on penalties, a match often cited as one of the most memorable in Liga MX history. As of 2025, the Clásico Joven is the fixture with the most finals contested between two clubs in Mexican football, with a total of seven championship matchups.[208][209]

Culturally, the rivalry is rooted in social and institutional contrasts. América is often associated with wealth and establishment due to its ownership by media conglomerate Televisa, while Cruz Azul is historically linked to the working class, stemming from its roots as a team founded by cement company Cooperativa La Cruz Azul. This contrast is reflected in the nickname Los Albañiles (lit. 'bricklayers'), used for Cruz Azul and its supporters.[30] In addition to these social contrasts, several players and coaches have represented both sides over the years, further intensifying the rivalry. Notably, Raúl Cárdenas managed both clubs during the 1970s,[210] while Carlos Hermosillo remains the top scorer in Clásico Joven history, scoring 15 goals in total—seven with América and eight with Cruz Azul.[211] The rivalry remains one of the most anticipated fixtures in Mexican football, regularly drawing large attendances and national media coverage. Matches between the two are played in Mexico City, with both clubs sharing Estadio Azteca for much of their history, adding to the derby-like atmosphere of their clashes. As of May 2026, the two clubs have met 205 times in total matches, with América holding 74 wins, 62 victories for Cruz Azul, and 69 matches ending in draws.[211]

Clásico Hidalguense

[edit]

Cruz Azul maintains a historic rivalry with Pachuca, known as the Clásico Hidalguense (lit. 'Hidalgo Classic'). The rivalry is rooted in their shared geographical origins in the state of Hidalgo; Cruz Azul was founded in the town of Jasso (now part of the municipality of Tula de Allende) before the team's relocation to Mexico City on 1971.[212] The first top-flight encounter between the clubs occurred during the 1967–68 season, where Cruz Azul secured a 1–0 victory as the away team, marking the beginning of the rivalry on the national stage.[213] However, the rivalry was altered first by Cruz Azul's relocation to Mexico City in 1971, which diminished its local intensity, and then by Pachuca's relegation in 1973, which began a long hiatus lasting nearly two decades. Despite this, the fixture has produced several significant encounters since its revival in the modern era.[214]

One of the rivalry's most significant historical matches occurred during the México 1970 tournament. In a decisive match where the league title was on the line, Cruz Azul defeated Pachuca 2–0 to secure their second championship.[215] In the modern era, the most notable clash between the two clubs occurred in the Invierno 1999 tournament. In a dramatic series, Pachuca defeated Cruz Azul with a golden goal in extra-time to claim their first-ever league championship, cementing a pivotal moment in the rivalry's history.[216] The rivalry extended to a continental stage in the CONCACAF Champions League final, which Pachuca won on away goals after a 2–2 aggregate score to claim their fourth continental title.[217] In the semi-finals of the Guardianes 2021 tournament, a 1–0 aggregate victory for Cruz Azul propelled them to the final, which they would win to end their 23-year league title drought.[218]

Personnel

[edit]

Coaching staff

[edit]
Joel Huiqui is the current head coach of Cruz Azul.
Position Staff
Head coachMexico Joel Huiqui
Assistant coachesMexico Juan José Martínez
Argentina Facundo Oreja
Portugal Sergio Pinto
Goalkeeper coachUruguay Carlos Nicola
Fitness coachesUruguay Diego Bottaioli
Mexico Jorge Martínez
Mexico Fernando Ramos
PhysiotherapistsMexico Paolo Arriaga
Mexico José Morales
Team doctorsMexico Antonio Acevedo
Mexico Juan Pérez

Source: Liga MX Cruz Azul

Management

[edit]
Position Staff
PresidentMexico Víctor Velázquez
Administrative directorMexico Antonio Reynoso
Director of footballUruguay Iván Alonso
Coordinator of footballUruguay Mathías Cardaccio
Director of sports scienceUruguay Andrés Payssé
Director of academyMexico Emmanuel González

Source: Cruz Azul Récord

Players

[edit]

First-team squad

[edit]
As of 10 September 2026[219][220]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  MEX Andrés Gudiño
2 DF  MEX Alan Mozo (on loan from Guadalajara)
3 DF  MEX Omar Campos
4 DF  COL Willer Ditta
5 DF  MEX Jesús Orozco
6 MF  MEX Érik Lira (captain)
7 FW  ARG Nicolás Ibáñez
8 MF  ARG Agustín Palavecino
10 MF  MEX Andrés Montaño
11 FW  NGR Christian Ebere
12 DF  MEX Alán Montes
13 GK  MEX Ricardo Rodríguez
14 FW  COL Juan José Calero
15 DF  USA Ralph Orquin
16 MF  MEX Jeremy Márquez
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 MF  MEX Amaury García
18 MF  ARG Luka Romero
19 MF  MEX Carlos Rodríguez (vice-captain)
20 MF  ARG José Paradela
21 FW  URU Gabriel Fernández
22 DF  MEX Jorge Rodarte
23 GK  COL Kevin Mier
25 MF  MEX Fernando Sámano
27 FW  MEX Bryan Gamboa
28 DF  MEX Raymundo Rubio
29 MF  ARG Carlos Rotondi
30 GK  MEX Emmanuel Ochoa
32 MF  MEX Cristian Jiménez
33 DF  ARG Gonzalo Piovi

Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  MEX Mauro Zaleta (at Necaxa)[221]

Reserves and Academy

[edit]
Players with at least one first-team appearance for Cruz Azul.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
42 DF  MEX Jorge García
49 DF  MEX Josué Díaz
55 MF  MEX Rogelio González
57 MF  MEX Diego Valdéz
58 MF  MEX Emmanuel Sánchez
60 MF  MEX Ariel Castro
66 DF  VEN Javier Suárez
No. Pos. Nation Player
67 DF  MEX Jaziel Mendoza
68 MF  MEX Christian Valdivia
70 DF  MEX Iván Silva
194 MF  MEX Amaury Morales
213 MF  MEX Jeyson Durán
214 FW  MEX Mateo Levy
258 FW  MEX Emiliano Castañeda

Current teams

[edit]

Defunct teams

[edit]

Former players

[edit]

Player records

[edit]

Tournament top scorers

[edit]

All-time records

[edit]

Presidents

[edit]

Cruz Azul is owned and operated by the Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, a worker cooperative. Unlike most football clubs, the club's president is also the president of the cooperative's board of administration, elected by an assembly of cooperative members.[226] The club has had five presidents throughout its history, with Guillermo Álvarez Cuevas being the longest-serving, having held the position from 1988 to 2020. Guillermo Álvarez Macías is the most successful president in the club's history, having won 13 titles during his tenure from 1953 to 1976.[227] The current president is Víctor Velázquez, who assumed the role in August 2020 following the resignation of Álvarez Cuevas amid legal proceedings against him.[228]

Below is the presidential history of Cruz Azul since the founding of the cooperative.[229]

Name From To Years[note 3]
Mexico Arcadio Hernández Falcón 1931 1953 22 years
Mexico Guillermo Álvarez Macías 1953 1976 23 years
Mexico Joel Luis Becerril Benítez 1976 1988 12 years
Mexico Guillermo Álvarez Cuevas 1988 2020 32 years
Mexico Víctor Velázquez 2020 present 6 years

Honours

[edit]

Cruz Azul's first major title came in the 1968–69 season, when the club won the Mexican Primera División just five years after being promoted.[62] During its golden era in the 1970s, Cruz Azul won six league titles within the decade, earning the nickname La Máquina for its dominant, machine-like style of play.[230] The club added two more league titles in the short tournament era, in Invierno 1997 and Guardianes 2021, the latter ending a 23-year title drought. In domestic competition, Cruz Azul has also won the Copa MX four times and lifted the Campeón de Campeones trophy on four occasions. The club also won the Supercopa MX in 2019[231] and the Supercopa de la Liga MX in 2022.[232]

Internationally, Cruz Azul is one of Mexico's most successful clubs, having won the CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League (CONCACAF's premier club competition) seven times, the most successful club in the region shared with América.[233] In 2001, the club became the first Mexican and CONCACAF team to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores, narrowly losing to Boca Juniors on penalties.[234]

Cruz Azul has also competed in the FIFA Club World Cup[235] and the Copa Interamericana,[236] and remains one of the most supported and historically significant football clubs in the Americas.[237]

Domestic

[edit]
Type Competition Titles Winning years Runners-up Source
Top division Liga MX 10 1968–69, Mex–1970, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1979–80, Inv–1997, Guard–2021, Cla–2026 1969–70, 1980–81, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1994–95, Inv–1999, Cla–2008, Ape–2008, Ape–2009, Cla–2013, Ape–2018, Cla–2024 [238]
Copa MX 4 1968–69, 1996–97, Cla–2013, Ape–2018 1973–74, 1987–88
Campeón de Campeones 4 1969, 1974, 2021, 2026 1972
Supercopa MX 1s 2019 —
Supercopa de la Liga MX 1s 2022 —
Promotion division Segunda División 1 1963–64 —

International

[edit]
Type Competition Titles Winning years Runners-up Source
Intercontinental
FIFA		 FIFA Derby of the Americas 0 — 2025 [238]
Intercontinental
CONCACAF
CONMEBOL		 Copa Interamericana 0 — 1971
Continental
CONCACAF		 CONCACAF Champions Cup 7s 1969, 1970, 1971, 1996, 1997, 2013–14, 2025 2008–09, 2009–10
Continental
CONMEBOL		 CONMEBOL Libertadores 0 — 2001
Regional
North America
USSF–FMF		 Leagues Cup 1s 2019 —
Campeones Cup 0 — 2021, 2026
Notes
  •   record
  • s shared record

Friendly

[edit]

Records

[edit]

Amateur era (1927–1961)

[edit]

During the amateur era, Cruz Azul was composed entirely of employees from the Cruz Azul cement factory, emphasizing the strong bond between the club and its founding organization. The team also frequently achieved high-margin victories over local teams, reflecting their dominance in the league.[256]

  • Consecutive titles in the Primera División Amateur del Estado de Hidalgo: 15 titles (from 1935 to 1960), Cruz Azul dominated the amateur league in Hidalgo, winning the title in every season during these years, marking one of the club's most significant achievements.[256]
  • First recorded match: Cruz Azul's first match was against Jilotepec, resulting in a 16–0 win.[257]
  • Winning streak: Although there is no specific record, Cruz Azul maintained a notable winning streak during its years of dominance in the amateur league.[257]

Professional era (since 1961)

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Controversy exists on the date of the founding of Cruz Azul. On 22 March 1927, workers from the company Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, together with Carlos Garcés, decided to form a football team. This founding date is kept in the club's Hall of Fame, as well as in various official publications of the team.[1] However, after playing several matches internally, on 22 May 1927, Cruz Azul played its first official match against Jilotepec. Because of this, the club has adopted this date as its founding date in recent years.[2]
  2. ↑ Accounts of the cooperative's formation differ on some dates and terms. Expansión places its constitution on 2 November 1931 and its formal registration in January 1934, and reports that the debt was repaid in nine years,[15] whereas other sources give 2 November 1941, ten years after the workers took over the plant.[26][27]
  3. ↑ All dates and years are approximate, as exact dates are not fully documented.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Historia" (in Spanish). 2 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  2. 1 2 "HISTORIA - LOS INICIOS" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  3. ↑ Landucci, Claudio (21 April 2026). "Cruz Azul vuelve al Azteca para el cierre del Clausura 2026". ClaroSports (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "¿Cuáles son los equipos con más finales disputadas de Liga MX y cómo les fue?" (in Spanish). goal.com. 12 December 2021. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "¿Recuerdas la final de Copa Libertadores entre Cruz Azul y Boca Juniors?". TUDN (in Spanish). 9 November 2018. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  6. ↑ "En el futbol mexicano, ¿cuántos equipos han conseguido el triplete?". goal.com (in Spanish). 5 November 2020. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  7. ↑ "What is the treble? Explaining the trophy haul that makes it up as Man City crowned European champions". sportingnews.com. 10 June 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  8. ↑ López, Katy (25 July 2026). "Cruz Azul: Cuántos títulos de Liga MX y otros torneos tiene en su historia y a cuántos está del Toluca, Chivas y América". Olympics (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  9. ↑ "IFFHS AWARDS 2025 - MEN'S CLUB WORLD RANKING". International Federation of Football History & Statistics. 15 January 2026. Archived from the original on 28 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  10. ↑ "IFFHS CLUB CONTINENTAL RANKING 2025 - CONCACAF". International Federation of Football History & Statistics. 21 January 2026. Archived from the original on 1 February 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  11. ↑ "¿Cuál es el equipo con más afición de la Liga MX? - ranking del 2025" (in Spanish). si.com. 14 June 2025. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  12. ↑ "En México, ¿qué equipos nunca han descendido en la Liga MX?" (in Spanish). goal.com. 29 April 2021.
  13. ↑ "Liga MX 2023: Los 4 grandes del fútbol mexicano: quiénes son y porqué se les llama así". MARCA (in Spanish). 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  14. ↑ "Biggest Rivalries in Mexican Football". onefootball. 22 October 2024. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Gutiérrez, Omar (19 August 2026). "Cruz Azul nació como una fábrica de cal, casi desaparece y hoy la cooperativa vuelve a su antigua casa". Expansión (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  16. ↑ "Cruz Azul, el equipo que originalmente era de beisbol y se transformó". 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  17. ↑ Aldana, Omar Flores (9 December 2018). "Hace 95 años se estrenó el Tricolor". Excélsior. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  18. ↑ "Mexico - International Results Details 1920-1939". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 21 July 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  19. 1 2 "América y Cruz Azul. Carlos Garcés: Una anécdota compartida". Mediotiempo. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  20. ↑ "Olympedia – Carlos Garcés". Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  21. ↑ "¿Cuál es la fecha correcta de la fundación de Cruz Azul?". 22 May 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  22. 1 2 "Así nació el Club Deportivo Cruz Azul, "La Maquina Cementera"". 31 May 2021. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  23. ↑ "The Origins of Cruz Azul". Mexico Solidarity. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  24. 1 2 "Historia del Cruz Azul". 11 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  25. ↑ "PROFMEX-Consorcio Mundial para la Investigación sobre México". Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  26. 1 2 3 "El último testigo de la fundación de Cruz Azul". 4 December 2015. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  27. 1 2 "Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, S.C.L." Real Estate Market & Lifestyle. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  28. ↑ "Cruz Azul y sus 90 años". 22 May 2017.
  29. ↑ "A Tale of One City: Mexico City". 4 November 2015. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  30. 1 2 Archibold, Randal C. (25 October 2013). "Mexican Writer Mines the Soccer Field for Metaphors". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  31. ↑ "Cruz Azul, un equipo que nació para brillar". 14 May 2017. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  32. 1 2 Rivas, Edgar (7 June 2018). "Cruz Azul y la charla por el título". Shorthand (in Spanish).
  33. ↑ "Cruz Azul". Info Deportes (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  34. 1 2 "Es la historia de un amor como no hay otra igual: Cruz Azul cumple 94 años de gloria y grandeza". 22 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  35. ↑ "CA - Nuestras Raíces - 1953 Reestructuración Socioeconómica". 30 January 2016. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016.
  36. ↑ "Cooperativa la Cruz Azul y la Democracia Corinthiana". 22 August 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  37. ↑ "Fallece Luis Velázquez, último testigo del nacimiento profesional de Cruz Azul". MSN. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  38. ↑ "Fallece Luis Velázquez, último testigo del nacimiento profesional de Cruz Azul". 9 September 2020. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  39. ↑ "Murió el hombre que cambió la historia: Luis Velázquez 'El Toro', quien llevó a Cruz Azul al profesionalismo". 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  40. ↑ "Recuerdos del ayer". Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  41. ↑ "La fusión de equipos que originó a Cruz Azul". 28 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  42. ↑ "El hombre que no ascendió con Cruz Azul pero siempre estuvo ahí". Mediotiempo. 19 April 2018. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  43. 1 2 "Cruz Azul: El camino a Segunda División". 17 January 2014. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  44. ↑ "Cruz Azul". FMF. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  45. 1 2 "Estadio 10 de Diciembre Primer Estadio de Cruz Azul". Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  46. ↑ "Cruz Azul quiere festejar aniversario 94 con el pase a su octava Final". Mediotiempo. 22 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  47. ↑ "Cruz Azul: Los orígenes". 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  48. ↑ "Álvarez, el apellido que se pinta de azul". Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021 – via PressReader.
  49. 1 2 ""Honor y lealtad a nuestra patria, valor y nobleza en el deporte", la frase de Guillermo Álvarez Macías que se convirtió en el lema de Cruz Azul". 23 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  50. ↑ "Los técnicos que le han dado gloria y pena a Cruz Azul en 93 años de historia". Mediotiempo (in Spanish). 22 May 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  51. ↑ "Jorge Marik, el técnico húngaro que ascendió a Cruz Azul en el año 1964". 12 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  52. ↑ Lugo, Erik Francisco; Castro, Fernando; Toscano, Martín. "Mexico 1961/62". RSSSF. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  53. ↑ Lugo, Erik Francisco. "Mexico 1962/63". RSSSF. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  54. ↑ "Mexico 1963/64". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  55. 1 2 "Cruz Azul, con pasos firmes en sus inicios en Primera". Récord (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  56. ↑ Guevara, Óscar (9 May 2024). "Cruz Azul se une al selecto club de MIL VICTORIAS en la Liga MX; La Máquina es el cuarto en lograrlo". Fox Sports México (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  57. ↑ "México - List of Final Tables". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  58. ↑ "Mexico 1965/66". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  59. ↑ "Cruz Azul - Plantilla 1965/1966". 30 September 2023. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  60. ↑ "El ex entrenador de la Máquina, Walter Ormeño falleció a los 93 años". Vamos Cruz Azul. 4 January 2020. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  61. ↑ "Los técnicos que le han dado gloria y pena a Cruz Azul en 93 años de historia". Mediotiempo (in Spanish). 22 May 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  62. 1 2 "¿Quién fue Raúl Cárdenas? El gran entrenador del Cruz Azul" (in Spanish). 5 March 2018. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  63. ↑ "Llegó la décima: todas las coronas de Cruz Azul en Liga MX". Récord (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  64. 1 2 "Tom Marshall: What now for Copa MX winner Cruz Azul?". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  65. ↑ "60 años de Primera: 60 datos sobre La Máquina" (in Spanish). Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S. A. de C. V. 19 January 2024.
  66. ↑ "Cruz Azul: historial completo en la Liga MX". Futdados (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  67. ↑ "¿Cuántos títulos le faltan a Joel Huiqui para ser el entrenador más ganador de la historia de Cruz Azul?". TV Azteca (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  68. ↑ "La Décima Estrella Celeste: Los 10 títulos de Liga MX del Cruz Azul". UNANIMO Deportes (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  69. ↑ "Cruz Azul, Domínguez y Corona tienen otro subcampeonato". TUDN (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  70. 1 2 3 Calderón, Carlos (25 January 2009). "El Cruz Azul de los setenta". Mediotiempo (in Spanish).
  71. ↑ "Central American Club Competitions 1970". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  72. ↑ "Cruz Azul fue campeón de la Concacaf en 1970… ¡sin jugar!". 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  73. ↑ "Estadios de Cruz Azul: en todos los que ha jugado como local a lo largo de su historia". Goal.com (in Spanish). 14 January 2025.
  74. ↑ "Así se proclamó Cruz Azul 6 veces campeón de CONCACAF". Club de Futbol Cruz Azul (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  75. ↑ Lugo, Erik Francisco. "Copa Interamericana 1971". RSSSF. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  76. ↑ "10 más grandes leyendas de Cruz Azul". 90min (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  77. 1 2 Spindola, Ana Patricia (28 April 2022). "¿Por qué le dicen la Máquina a Cruz Azul y desde cuándo surgió el apodo?". debate (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  78. ↑ "El tricampeonato de Cruz Azul en los 70's". Milenio (in Spanish). 29 November 2020.
  79. ↑ "Cruz Azul: las nueve copas de campeón que ha levantado". Unotv (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  80. ↑ "Cruz Azul conquista su décimo título en la Liga MX". SDP Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  81. ↑ "Entrenadores con más títulos en la Liga MX: récord histórico". Futdados (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  82. 1 2 "La filosofía futbolística de Ignacio Trelles en diez frases". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  83. ↑ "Recuerdo de Guillermo Álvarez Macías a 42 años de su fallecimiento". 18 December 2018. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  84. ↑ "¿Quiénes son los dueños de Cruz Azul? Historia de la Cooperativa cementera y los Álvarez". Goal.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  85. ↑ "La dictadura perfecta". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  86. ↑ "La Décima Estrella Celeste: Los 10 títulos de Liga MX del Cruz Azul". UNANIMO Deportes (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  87. ↑ "La despedida de Miguel Marín". TUDN (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  88. ↑ "Pumas se desquitó de Cruz Azul para coronarse". Récord (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  89. ↑ "Los momentos que le han dado sabor al Cruz Azul vs Chivas". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  90. ↑ "1987–88 Copa México". RSSSF. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  91. ↑ "¿Qué equipo ha perdido más finales en la historia de la Liga MX?". SDP Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  92. ↑ "Billy Álvarez: ¿cómo fue la gestión en 32 años al frente de Cruz Azul?". Récord (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  93. ↑ "Welcome to FIFA.com News - Hermosillo alongside El Tri's best". 9 June 2021. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021.
  94. 1 2 3 "Soccer Star Carlos Hermosillo Joins DEPORTES TELEMUNDO". Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  95. ↑ "El historial en liguillas entre Pumas y Cruz Azul". 90min (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  96. ↑ "América víctima de sus propios errores eliminado por la Máquina: 2-1 (3-2 global)". Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  97. ↑ "Necaxa vs Cruz Azul: 30 años de la final que cambió la historia". Claro Sports (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  98. ↑ "Las sequías más largas sin título en la historia del fútbol mexicano". Sports Illustrated (in Spanish). 18 December 2018. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019.
  99. ↑ "Mudanzas de Cruz Azul: los estadios que han sido casa de La Máquina". TUDN (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  100. ↑ Lugo, Erik Francisco. "Central American Club Competitions 1996". RSSSF. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  101. ↑ "View to a Kill". Frank MacDonald. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  102. ↑ "Mexico 1996/97". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  103. ↑ "Central American Club Competitions 1997". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  104. ↑ "Cruz Azul vs León, de una Final a un repechaje: así es el historial de ambos". Récord (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  105. ↑ "¿Cómo fue la final Cruz Azul vs León de 1997? Alineaciones ida y vuelta y marcador global". MARCA Claro México. 30 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  106. ↑ "¿Por qué pateó Comizzo a Hermosillo y qué fue de él después de eso?". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  107. 1 2 Peralta, Omar (19 August 2022). "Cruz Azul, el equipo que todo México apoyó en la Copa Libertadores 2001". Yahoo Noticias (in Spanish).
  108. ↑ "A 20 años de distancia, el Cruz Azul de la Copa Libertadores 2001". TUDN. 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 11 June 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  109. ↑ Moreno, José (28 June 2026). "Cruz Azul cambió la historia: a 25 años de la Fina de Copa Libertadores de 2001". Récord.
  110. ↑ "Mexican club history in Libertadores". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  111. ↑ Mckinley, James C. Jr. (21 July 2005). "Coach Abducted, Adding Focus to Common Mexican Dread". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  112. ↑ "Rubén Omar Romano revela cómo se rompió su relación con Isaac Mizrahi después de su salida de Cruz Azul". Vamos Cruz Azul. 7 May 2020.
  113. ↑ "Raid ends kidnap for coach". 23 September 2005. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  114. ↑ "Isaac Mizrahi recuerda cuando asumió la banca de Cruz Azul tras el secuestro de Rubén Omar Romano hace 15 años". 19 July 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  115. 1 2 3 "La "maldición" del equipo de fútbol mexicano Cruz Azul". CNN (in Spanish). 30 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  116. ↑ "Cruzazulear". Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  117. ↑ "Santos vs. Cruz Azul - Football Match Summary". ESPN.com. 1 June 2008. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  118. ↑ "Tras dramáticos penales ¡Toluca Campeón del A2008!". Mediotiempo (in Mexican Spanish). 14 December 2008. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022.
  119. ↑ "Sella Atlante clasificación al Mundial de Clubes, elimina a Cruz Azul". W Radio México (in Mexican Spanish). 12 May 2009. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  120. ↑ "Monterrey conquista tercera corona en México". Reuters (in Spanish). 14 December 2009. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  121. ↑ "Concacaf Champions League 2009/10: Pachuca campeón". Aro Geraldes (in Spanish). 29 April 2010. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  122. ↑ "Cruz Azul cambia de nombre". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 11 April 2012.
  123. ↑ "Cruz Azul campeón de Copa MX en 2013: el título previo a la 'Cruzazuleada' en Liga MX". TUDN (in Spanish). 15 October 2018. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  124. ↑ Rosas, Luis Óscar (3 December 2024). "La Final del Clausura 2013, el peor recuerdo que tiene Cruz Azul jugando contra América". TUDN (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  125. ↑ "Cruz Azul, Campeón de CONCACAF". Mediotiempo. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  126. ↑ "Copa Mundial de Clubes de la FIFA Marruecos 2014 - Cruz Azul-Auckland City FC - Resumen". 29 March 2015. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015.
  127. ↑ "Cruz Azul queda fuera de Liguilla por sexto torneo consecutivo". 29 April 2017. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  128. ↑ "Jémez no renovará para el Clausura 2018" (in Spanish). Cruz Azul Fútbol Club. 27 November 2017. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  129. ↑ "Bienvenido Ricardo Peláez Linares" (in Spanish). Cruz Azul Fútbol Club. 7 May 2018. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  130. ↑ Arnold, Jon (1 November 2018). "Cruz Azul beats Monterrey to lift Copa MX". Goal. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  131. ↑ Tolmich, Ryan. "Club America top Cruz Azul to claim Liga MX Apertura crown". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018.
  132. ↑ "Cruz Azul goleó al Necaxa y se quedó con el título de la Supercopa MX". TUDN (in Spanish). 14 July 2019.
  133. ↑ Marshall, Tom (21 August 2019). "Cruz Azul advances past Galaxy in Leagues Cup". ESPN. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  134. ↑ "Cruz Azul es campeón de la Leagues Cup". El Informador (in Spanish). 18 September 2019.
  135. ↑ "Liga MX cancels 2020 Clausura season due to coronavirus". ESPN. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  136. ↑ "Cruz Azul owners being investigated for money laundering, links to organized crime". FMF State Of Mind. 29 May 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  137. ↑ "Fiscalía iría por Billy Álvarez y tres directivos más". El Financiero (in Spanish). 30 July 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  138. ↑ "Billy Álvarez renuncia a la Cooperativa Cruz Azul". TUDN (in Spanish). 1 August 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  139. ↑ "Víctor Velázquez es reelegido como presidente de Cruz Azul de forma unánime por 5 años más". Récord (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  140. ↑ "Liga MX: Definen horarios para las semifinales del Guard1anes 2020". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  141. ↑ "Tigres 1-3 Cruz Azul: La Máquina Celeste da un gran paso hacia semifinales de Guardianes 2020". TV Azteca (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  142. ↑ "Liguilla Guardianes 2020: Goles de Cruz Azul 0-1 Tigres, resumen y videos". Goal.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  143. ↑ "¡Cómo no te voy a querer! Pumas consiguió histórica remontada de cuatro goles" (in Spanish). 6 December 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  144. ↑ "Juan Reynoso es el nuevo técnico de Cruz Azul". ESPN (in Spanish). 3 January 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  145. ↑ "La Cooperativa Cruz Azul eligió a sus nuevos Consejos". Expansión Política (in Spanish). 6 April 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  146. ↑ "Cruz Azul beats Santos 2-1 on aggregate to end their 24-year championship drought". As. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  147. ↑ "Cruz Azul 2-1 León (18 de Jul., 2021) Resultado Final" (in Spanish). ESPN México. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  148. ↑ "Cruz Azul termina relación con el técnico Juan Reynoso" (in Spanish). ESPN México. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  149. ↑ "¡En penales! Cruz Azul vence al Atlas y se lleva la Supercopa MX en Campeón de Campeones" (in Spanish). TUDN. 26 June 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  150. ↑ "Cruz Azul despide a Diego Aguirre tras goleada ante América" (in Spanish). ESPN México. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  151. ↑ "'Potro' Gutiérrez es nuevo entrenador de Cruz Azul" (in Spanish). ABC Noticias. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  152. ↑ "Oficial: Cruz Azul anuncia la salida de Raúl Gutiérrez como técnico" (in Spanish). ESPN México. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  153. ↑ "Cruz Azul termina relación laboral con Ricardo 'Tuca' Ferretti" (in Spanish). ESPN México. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  154. ↑ "Seguirá en el club: se confirmó el nuevo puesto que tendrá Joaquín Moreno en Cruz Azul" (in Spanish). vamoscruzazul. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  155. ↑ "¿Quién es Martín Anselmi, el nuevo entrenador de Cruz Azul para el Clausura 2024?". As (in Spanish). 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  156. ↑ "¿Cuáles son las Finales más repetidas en el deporte profesional mexicano?". Récord (in Spanish). 19 November 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  157. ↑ Cornejo, Giancarlo (27 May 2024). "'LA 15' — Club América win Clausura 2024 to become back-to-back Liga MX champions for first time ever". THE18. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  158. ↑ Maya, Erick (9 November 2024). "¡Misión cumplida! Cruz Azul rompe récord de puntos en Liga MX en torneos con 17 jornadas". mediotiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  159. ↑ Casillas, Roberto (9 December 2024). "America Advances to the Liga MX Final in an Instant Classic". SI. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  160. ↑ "Cruz Azul se muda a CU: La Máquina jugará en el Estadio Olímpico Universitario para el Clausura 2025" (in Spanish). 8 January 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  161. ↑ "Anselmi Pulls a Fernando Gago and Leaves Cruz Azul for Porto". beinsports. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  162. ↑ Pacheco, Enrique (21 February 2025). "Cruz Azul Seeks Revenge Against Anselmi: TAS Accepts Lawsuit Against Coach". SoyFútbol. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  163. ↑ "Anselmi Bids Farewell to Cruz Azul; Vicente Sánchez Named New Head Coach of La Máquina". footboom. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  164. ↑ "Cruz Azul Backs Sánchez as Head Coach Until 2025". footboom. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  165. ↑ "Cruz Azul claims seventh Champions Cup title". Concacaf. 1 June 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  166. ↑ "Vicente Sánchez dice adiós a Cruz Azul, estas fueron sus palabras". Mediotiempo (in Spanish). 7 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  167. ↑ "¡Bienvenido a Cruz Azul, Nicolás Larcamón!" (in Spanish). Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S. A. de C. V. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  168. ↑ "Cruz Azul cesa a Nicolás Larcamón de la dirección técnica". ESPN México (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  169. ↑ "Cruz Azul campeón con un final de película sobre Pumas". ESPN México (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  170. 1 2 "¿Por qué Cruz Azul tiene como símbolo una cruz?". vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com (in Spanish). 22 May 2022. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  171. ↑ Vázquez, Antonio (25 June 2022). "La evolución del escudo de Cruz Azul". GOAL. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  172. ↑ "70" (in Spanish). Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S. A. de C. V. Archived from the original on 17 December 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  173. ↑ "Cruz Azul Logo". 1000logos.net. 3 October 2024. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  174. 1 2 "Cruz Azul presume la novena estrella en nuevo jersey para el Apertura 2021". mediotiempo.com (in Spanish). 21 July 2021. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  175. ↑ "Cruz Azul presentó oficialmente su nuevo escudo sin estrellas". espn.com.mx (in Spanish). 20 June 2022. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  176. ↑ "¿Tú también notaste que el Cruz Azul cambió su escudo?". foxdeportes.com (in Spanish). 18 July 2025. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  177. ↑ "LOS INICIOS" (in Spanish). Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S. A. de C. V. Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  178. ↑ Leroy, Diward (19 April 2024). "Las 10 playeras más icónicas de la historia de Cruz Azul". vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  179. ↑ "Cruz Azul Kit History". footballkitarchive.com.
  180. ↑ Cube, Mark (26 February 2021). "Playeras de Cruz Azul: cambios en el uniforme de la máquina en la historia de la Liga MX". tudn.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  181. ↑ "Caliente, nuevo patrocinador de Cruz Azul". Record (in Spanish). 24 July 2018. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025.
  182. ↑ "Cruz Azul presenta a Cemix, como su nuevo patrocinador". El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  183. ↑ Garcés, Sara (25 September 2024). "Cruz Azul y Bankaool firman alianza social y comercial". Grupo Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 13 November 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  184. ↑ "Novibet: orgulloso nuevo patrocinador oficial de Cruz Azul" (in Spanish). Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S. A. de C. V. 12 June 2025. Archived from the original on 8 October 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  185. ↑ "Nikko Auto-Parts se une a Cruz Azul como nuevo patrocinador oficial" (in Spanish). Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S. A. de C. V. 17 June 2025. Archived from the original on 22 June 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  186. 1 2 ""Sobrenombres de los equipos de la primera división de futbol Mexicano"". NOROESTE (in Spanish). 6 November 2015. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  187. ↑ "'Los Cementeros' de Cruz Azul, un apodo con más de 90 años de historia". TUDN (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  188. ↑ "¿Por qué el Cruz Azul tiene una liebre como mascota oficial?". MARCA (in Spanish). 25 August 2024. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  189. ↑ "1953 Reestructuración Socioeconómica" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  190. ↑ "Cruz Azul termina con su 'maldita' historia y es campeón de México". elfinanciero.com.mx (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  191. ↑ "'Estadio Azul' ready to host América and Cruz Azul as Clausura 2024 looms". en.as.com. 9 January 2024. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  192. ↑ "Cruz Azul jugará como local en el Olímpico Universitario". ESPN México (in Spanish). 8 January 2025. Archived from the original on 11 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  193. ↑ "Mexico: Authorities unexpectedly close stadium of three big teams". Stadium DB. 4 November 2024. Archived from the original on 11 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  194. ↑ "Cruz Azul extiende racha a 26 juegos sin perder en CU". infobae (in Spanish). 4 December 2025.
  195. ↑ "Cruz Azul, sin estadio después de que la UNAM rompiera 'acuerdo de palabra'". ESPN México (in Spanish). 8 January 2025. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  196. ↑ "Oficial: Cruz Azul jugará en Puebla durante el Clausura 2026" [Official: Cruz Azul will play in Puebla during the Clausura 2026]. ESPN México (in Spanish). 8 January 2026. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  197. ↑ "¡OFICIAL! Cruz Azul regresa a la CDMX; volverá a jugar en el Estadio Banorte". mediotiempo (in Spanish). 21 April 2026.
  198. ↑ Montaño, Francisco (18 August 2021). "La Noria, la casa y centro de alto rendimiento del Cruz Azul". debate.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  199. ↑ "Mexico City: Cruz Azul still not settled for stadium location". stadiumdb.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  200. ↑ "¿Qué equipo de la Liga MX tiene más afición en todo México?". GOAL. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  201. ↑ "¡Cómo no te voy a querer! Histórica y épica remontada". TUDN (in Spanish). 6 December 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  202. ↑ "Think your team is bad? One club's name has literally come to define failure". ESPN.com. 29 December 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  203. ↑ "Resultados-futbol.com". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  204. ↑ "La Sangre Azul está de regreso: La nueva administración ya reconoció a la barra de Cruz Azul". vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com (in Spanish). 28 May 2021. Archived from the original on 28 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  205. ↑ "Historia de la barra brava La Sangre Azul y hinchada del club de fútbol Cruz Azul de México". barrabrava.net (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  206. ↑ "La Sangre Azul entra por la fuerza a La Noria para hablar con directiva celeste". espn.com.mx (in Spanish). 19 March 2015.
  207. ↑ "Encuesta completa sobre el equipo más popular de México". Univision.com. Grupo Reforma. 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007.
  208. ↑ Flores Aldana, Omar (20 May 2024). "América vs. Cruz Azul, la final más repetida en la Liga MX". ESPN México (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  209. ↑ Cedeño, Juan Carlos (26 May 2024). "América vs. Cruz Azul: El 26 de mayo que La Máquina ganó una Final a las Águilas". TUDN (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  210. ↑ Vázquez, Oswaldo (2 December 2024). "¿Quién fue Raúl Cárdenas, el técnico que hizo tricampeón a Cruz Azul y después se fue al América?". esto. Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  211. 1 2 "América vs Cruz Azul: Historial, resultados, estadísticas y goleadores del Clásico Joven". goal.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  212. ↑ "¿Por qué al duelo entre Pachuca y Cruz Azul se lo denomina Clásico Hidalguense?". Bolavip (in Spanish). 27 September 2024. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  213. ↑ "Clásico hidalguense; comparten cuna". Excelsior (in Spanish). 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  214. ↑ "Pachuca vs Cruz Azul: Un clásico que se niega a morir". Criterio Hidalgo (in Spanish). 27 September 2024. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  215. ↑ "Cruz Azul vs Pachuca: La historia del Clásico Hidalguense". FutbolTotal (in Spanish). 18 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  216. ↑ "El día que Pachuca no esperaba ser campeón en la 'Ciudad de los Deportes'". ESPN México (in Spanish). 18 December 2021. Archived from the original on 14 November 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  217. ↑ "El Pachuca gana al Cruz Azul y se lleva la Liga de Campeones de la Concacaf". MARCA (in Spanish). 29 April 2010. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  218. ↑ "Cruz Azul avanza a la final tras vencer 1-0 a Pachuca". Proceso (in Spanish). 22 May 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  219. ↑ "Primer Equipo Varonil". Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S. A. de C. V. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2026.
  220. ↑ "Cruz Azul Plantilla". Liga MX. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2026.
  221. ↑ "Mercado: Cruz Azul anuncia la salida de Mauro Zaleta al Necaxa para el Apertura 2026". vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com (in Spanish). 2 July 2026. Archived from the original on 17 July 2026. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  222. ↑ "Liga MX: ¿Cuántos campeones de goleo ha tenido Cruz Azul en su historia?" (in Spanish). debate. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  223. ↑ "Todos los campeones de goleo en la historia de Cruz Azul" (in Spanish). 90min. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 April 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  224. ↑ "Los 10 máximos goleadores de Cruz Azul" (in Spanish). Futbol Total. 10 April 2020. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  225. ↑ "Liga MX 2023: Jugadores con más partidos en Cruz Azul: así está el ránking" (in Spanish). MARCA. 21 February 2023. Archived from the original on 22 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  226. ↑ "¿Quiénes son los dueños de Cruz Azul? Historia de la Cooperativa cementera y los Álvarez" (in Spanish). Goal. 5 August 2020.
  227. ↑ "Guillermo Álvarez, más de tres décadas y pocos logros en Cruz Azul; así fue 'Billy' como presidente" (in Spanish). El Universal. 16 January 2025. Archived from the original on 17 May 2026. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  228. ↑ "Cruz Azul: ¿Cuánto ha cambiado el equipo desde que Víctor Velázquez llegó?" (in Spanish). La Silla Rota. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  229. ↑ "De Hernández Falcón a los Álvarez, los directores de la dinastía azul" (in Spanish). La Silla Rota. 26 March 2019. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  230. ↑ Hugh, Pierce (11 February 2025). "Cruz Azul: The Pride of Mexican Football". Soccer Wizdom. Archived from the original on 20 April 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  231. ↑ Sanchez, Vincent (14 July 2019). "Cruz Azul Win First Trophy of the Season after Dominant 4-0 Rout of Necaxa". eltrionline. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  232. ↑ "Cruz Azul, el único equipo 'grande' que ganó un título en el 2022" (in Spanish). ESPN. 31 October 2022. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  233. ↑ Alcheva, Martina (5 May 2022). "Concacaf Champions League winners: List of champions by year". BOLAVIP. Archived from the original on 6 December 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  234. ↑ Parra, Abigail (8 April 2020). "Cruz Azul sorteó insólitas artimañas sudamericanas en la Libertadores de 2001" (in Spanish). mediotiempo. Archived from the original on 20 July 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  235. ↑ "Cruz Azul da a conocer lista para Mundial de Clubes" (in Spanish). Milenio. 4 December 2014. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  236. ↑ "Copa Interamericana 1971" (in Spanish). RSSSF. 23 October 2007. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  237. ↑ Cadena Jordan, Daniel (2 August 2018). "Los 50 clubes más valiosos de América". OneFootball. Archived from the original on 6 December 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  238. 1 2 "Palmarés". Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S. A. de C. V. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  239. ↑ "Trofeo Ciudad de Almería". reinoazul09. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  240. ↑ "Trofeo Ciudad del Cid (Burgos-Spain) 1977-1981". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  241. ↑ "Copa Presidente de Ciudad de México 1981". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  242. ↑ "Copa Ciudad de Querétaro 1989-1992". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  243. ↑ "Copa Monterrey 400 (Monterrey) 1996". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  244. ↑ "Torneo Pachuca Cuna del Fútbol 1997". reinoazul09. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  245. ↑ "Pachuca Cuna del Fútbol Méxicano". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  246. ↑ "Cruz Azul 3-1 Boca Juniors... La Máquina se lleva la Copa Panamericana". mediotiempo. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  247. ↑ "Derrotó La Máquina 2-1 a Silverbacks en la Copa Amistad". mediotiempo. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  248. ↑ "Campeón Copa Aztex del año 2009". reinoazul09. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  249. ↑ "Copa Socio MX 2015-2016". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  250. ↑ "Cruz Azul es Campeón de la Super Copa… Tecate 2017". sdpnoticias. 18 July 2017. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  251. ↑ "Recap: Houston Dynamo 3, Cruz Azul FC 5". houstondynamofc. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  252. ↑ "Cruz Azul - Chivas (1-1): La Máquina gana la Copa GNP por México". as. 20 July 2020. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  253. ↑ "¡Campeón! Cruz Azul vence a Chivas y se corona en la Copa Sky 2022". TUDN (in Spanish). 30 December 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  254. ↑ Berrios, Edgar (30 June 2024). "Cruz Azul gana la primera edición de la Copa Fundadores". excelsior (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  255. ↑ "Cruz Azul levanta la Copa Fundadores tras golear 6-0 al Comunicaciones". TUDN (in Spanish). 11 July 2026. Archived from the original on 13 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  256. 1 2 "60 Años de Primera: 60 Datos sobre La Máquina" (in Spanish). Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V. 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  257. 1 2 "LOS INICIOS" (in Spanish). Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V. Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  258. ↑ "¡Cruz Azul es de Primera! Somos campeones de Segunda División apenas a los tres años de ser incluidos". Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  259. ↑ "¡Felicidades a La Máquina! Cruz Azul cumple 60 años en primera división". tudn.com. 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  260. ↑ "El primer Cruz Azul profesional: este año comenzó la breve historia en Segunda División". Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
[edit]

Independent websites

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cruz_Azul&oldid=1378835579"