 | |
| Full name | Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V. |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | La Máquina (The Machine) Los Celestes (The Sky-Blues) Los Cementeros (The Cement Makers) Las Liebres (The Hares) Los de La Noria (The Men from La Noria) |
| Short name | CAZ |
| Founded | 22 May 1927; 98 years ago (1927-05-22)[note 1] |
| Ground | Estadio Olímpico Universitario (temporary) |
| Capacity | 58,445[3] |
| Owner | Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, S.C.L. |
| President | Víctor Velázquez |
| Head coach | Nicolás Larcamón |
| League | Liga MX |
| Clausura 2025 | Regular phase: 3rd Final phase: Semi-finals |
| Website | cfcruzazul |
 Current season | |
Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V., commonly referred to asCruz Azul, is a professionalfootball club based inMexico City. It competes inLiga MX, the top tier ofMexican football. Founded in 1927 in Jasso,Hidalgo, asClub Deportivo, Social y Cultural Cruz Azul A.C., the club officially moved to Mexico City in 1971, where it had already registered a great presence and activity since its beginnings. The team changed its name toCruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C. in 2012 and later to its current name in 2022. Since 2025, Cruz Azul has played its home matches at theEstadio Olímpico Universitario,[4] due to renovations at theEstadio Azteca for the2026 FIFA World Cup.[5] Itsheadquarters are in La Noria, a suburb withinXochimilco in the southern part of Mexico City.[6]
Domestically,the club has won nineleague titles, fourCopa MX, threeCampeón de Campeones, and holds a joint-record with oneSupercopa de la Liga MX and oneSupercopa MX. In international competitions, with seven titles, the club holds the joint-record for the most successful club in the history of theCONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League, the most prestigious international club competition in North American football. Cruz Azul also holds numerous distinctions, including being the club with the most league runner-up finishes (12),[7] the firstCONCACAF team to reach the final of theCopa Libertadores—the most prestigious club competition in South American football—losing on penalties toBoca Juniors in2001,[8] achieving thecontinental treble in the 1968–69 season by winning thePrimera División,Copa México andCONCACAF Champions' Cup titles, becoming the first CONCACAF club and third worldwide to accomplish this feat,[9] and becoming the first club worldwide, and one of only five, to have won the continental treble twice.[10]
In its 2014 Club World Ranking, theInternational Federation of Football History & Statistics placed Cruz Azul as the 99th-best club in the world and the third-best club in CONCACAF.[11] According to several polls, Cruz Azul is the third-most popular team in Mexico, behind onlyGuadalajara andAmérica.[12] It is also the second most supported team in its area,Greater Mexico City, behind América and ahead ofPumas UNAM. Together, these clubs are considered the "Big Four" (Cuatro Grandes) of Mexican football, due to their historical success, large fan bases, and intense rivalries.[13][14]
Cruz Azul was founded in the late 1920s in Jasso, Hidalgo, where cement companyCooperativa La Cruz Azul, S.C.L. fostered a connection with football. At the time, football in Mexico was not a professionalized or lucrative activity, and many athletes worked full-time jobs alongside their sporting pursuits.Carlos Garcés López, afootballer,athlete anddentist, employed by the cooperative, had previously played forAmérica and was part ofMexico's national team in its first official matches in 1923,[15] as well as in the1928 Olympic squad.[16][17][18]
In 1925, the cooperative initially planned to form abaseball team, reflecting the sport's popularity in the area.[19] However, Garcés López advocated forfootball to become the company's official sport. After sustained lobbying, the cooperative held a referendum on 22 March 1927, in which football was selected.[20] A football pitch replaced the baseball diamond, and the team was formally established two months later on 22 May 1927, with Garcés López as its first manager.[17] For the following decades, Cruz Azul competed in regional tournaments, composed exclusively of company workers. The club achieved notable success in amateur competitions during the 1930s and 1940s.
In 1931, the cooperative faced financial difficulties during theGreat Depression. Due to the loss of demand and production of cement and other construction materials, the company faced bankruptcy and was acquired by cement companyLa Tolteca on 1 March 1931, for 1 millionpesos. However, the liquidation of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul was anticipated by 192 workers of the company who unionized and sued the executives of the company to prevent the transfer of the property which was set for 15 October 1931.[21] The government of Hidalgo ruled in favor of the workers after it was shownLa Tolteca had premeditated intentions of liquidation. The workers assumed control of the industrial facilities on 2 November. On 21 May 1932, the governor of Hidalgo, Bartolomé Vargas Lugo, decreed the 192 workers of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul as collective owners of the plant, exercisingeminent domain. Part of the agreement, all 192 workers who assumed responsibility of the plant agreed to pay the state of Hidalgo 1.3 million pesos over the course of 10 years. The company changed its name toCooperativa Manufacturera de Cemento Portland La Cruz Azul, S.C.L., reestablishing itself as acooperative on 29 January 1934.[22] The debt was settled on 2 November 1941, 10 years after workers took ownership of the plant. In celebration, Cruz Azul organized a match againstReal España, that ended in a 0–0 draw.[23][24][25] This scenario of the club's formation encourages its working-class facade.[26][27]
Between 1932 and 1943, Cruz Azul won 15 consecutive league titles in a local amateur league in the state ofHidalgo and on eight different occasions, the club represented the state of Hidalgo in national amateur tournaments. From the mid-1930s to the late 1940s, the club regularly traveled toMexico City to face the reserve teams ofAtlante,Necaxa,Marte, andReal España, playing atParque Necaxa to great success.[28][29] By 1937, Cruz Azul had garnered a considerable following both in Hidalgo and Mexico City.[30][31][21][29] During this period,Guillermo Álvarez Macías began playing as amidfielder for the team.[32]
On 10 December 1953,Álvarez Macías, who had been employed by the cooperative since childhood, was appointed general manager of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul. Initially employed as an automotive mechanic, Álvarez Macías spent over two decades at the company, rising through the ranks.[33] A self-proclaimedsocialist, Álvarez Macías laid plans to transform the cooperative into a functioning town, in hope to modernize and "share social and economic progress, to raise the standard of living of the worker and his family."[34] In his goal to promote social well-being among members of the cooperative, Álvarez Macías invested into cultural and recreational activities.[33] This included investing much more into the football club whose proceeds were used to provide the worker-players with better living conditions.[32]
In 1958, clubcaptain and machinist Luis Velázquez Hernández, served as the club's ambassador to theMexican Football Federation to lobby for official membership on the club's behalf.[35][36] Velázquez Hernández met Paulino Sánchez inMexico City, who had ties to prominent football executives. They met withJoaquín Soria Terrazas andIgnacio Trelles to discuss membership in the federation for the club.[37] Sánchez vouched in favor of Cruz Azul, citing their continual success in the amateur and reserve tournaments. Much to the displeasure of Álvarez Macías who asserted the club was not ready for professional football.[23][38]
In preparation for federation membership, Paulino Sánchez assumed the position as head manager of the club. Due to regulations, teams were required to have areserve team.Lafayette, a club experiencing financial troubles located in Colonia Moctezuma, was purchased by Cruz Azul to serve as its reserve side and the acquisition was completed in 1960.[39][40][41] Plans to construct a club stadium that complied to the standards set by the Mexican Football Federation were conceived in 1960,[42] and with construction beginning in 1961,Estadio 10 de Diciembre was completed in 1963.[43][44]
Despite not possessing federation membership, the club was invited to compete in the 1960–61 edition of theCopa de la Segunda División de México, a competition sanctioned by the Mexican Football Federation. The club's debut game was played on 2 April 1961, in Jasso againstZamora, and ended in a 2–1 victory. The second-leg, played on 9 April, resulted in a 3–3 draw. After advancing pastQuerétaro, winning the tie 1–0 on aggregate and being eliminated byPumas UNAM, the team's performance prompted the Mexican Football Federation to grant Cruz Azul official registration as a professional club.[41][45][46]
Cruz Azul was officially registered to compete in Mexico'ssecond-tier professional league for the1961–62 season.[47] In the early 1960s, due to regulations by theMexican Football Federation prohibiting the use of company names in club titles, Álvarez Macías requested the renaming of the town of Jasso, Hidalgo, to Ciudad Cooperativa Cruz Azul. This allowed the club to retain the name "Cruz Azul" without directly referencing a commercial brand, as it now referred to a geographic location.[48]
In 1961, Hungarian coachJorge Marik, who had previously managedAtlas andAtlante, was appointed as head coach.[49] Under his management, Cruz Azul earned direct promotion to thePrimera División by finishing first in the1963–64 Segunda División season, recording 19 wins, 7 draws, and 4 losses for a total of 45 points.[50]
Following promotion,Estadio 10 de Diciembre underwent renovations on 6 March 1964, rebuilding the wooden stands and dressing rooms in compliance with top-flight regulations.[43] Cruz Azul debuted in the Mexican Primera División during the1964–65 season and finished in 8th place, with a record of 10 wins, 9 draws, and 11 losses.[51] After a less successful campaign in the1965–66 season, where the team finished 13th out of 16 clubs, Marik departed.[52]Walter Ormeño served briefly as interim coach, managing three games before the club appointedRaúl Cárdenas as head coach on 20 October 1966.[53][54]
During the1968–69 season, under the direction of Cárdenas, Cruz Azul won its firstCopa México title, firstPrimera División championship, and firstCONCACAF Champions' Cup.[55] This achievement made the club the first team in both Mexico and theCONCACAF region to win all three major titles—commonly referred to as acontinental treble—within five years of joining the top division.[56]
In the1969–70 Primera División season, Cruz Azul finished second on the general standings.[57]Later that year, on 15 December, the club was awarded the1970 CONCACAF Champions' Cup afterSaprissa andTransvaal withdrew from the tournament's second phase due to financial constraints.[58][59]
Between 1970 and 1980, Cruz Azul established an era of dominance by winning six league titles—four under Cárdenas and two underIgnacio Trelles—becoming one of the most successful Mexican clubs of the decade. Led by legendary goalkeeperMiguel Marín, who made his final appearance for the club in a testimonial match againstGuadalajara in June 1981,[60] the team earned the nicknameLa Máquina ("The Machine") in reference to its consistent performances and playing style.[61]
On 18 December 1976, long-serving club presidentGuillermo Álvarez Macías died of a heart attack at the age of 56 while awaiting a meeting withPresident José López Portillo.[48][62]
Throughout the 1980s, Cruz Azul consistently qualified for the league playoffs but did not win another league championship, beginning a 17-year title drought despite continued investment and a strong squad. In 1988,Guillermo Héctor Álvarez Cuevas, the son of the late Guillermo Álvarez Macías, became general manager ofCooperativa La Cruz Azul and president of the club.[63] Under his leadership, Cruz Azul pursued high-profile signings, including strikerCarlos Hermosillo, who had come throughAmérica’s youth system and played for the senior team earlier in his career before joining Cruz Azul in 1991.[64] Initially met with skepticism, Hermosillo became a leading figure in the team, finishing as the league's top scorer in three consecutive seasons:1993–94 (27 goals),1994–95 (35 goals), and1995–96 (26 goals).[65] In the1994–95 season, the club finished third in the league's overall standings and reached their first league final in six years, where they were defeated 3–1 on aggregate byNecaxa.[66]
On 20 July 1996, Cruz Azul ended a 16-year title drought by winning the1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, held inGuatemala City.[67] Under managerVíctor Manuel Vucetich, the team finished first in theround-robin tournament, including an 11–0 victory overSeattle Sounders.[68] That same season, Cruz Azul also won the1996–97 Copa México, defeatingToros Neza 2–0 atEstadio 10 de Diciembre.[69]
In 1997, now managed byLuis Fernando Tena, the club won theCONCACAF Champions' Cup for a second consecutive year, defeatingLA Galaxy in the final on 24 August.[70] On 7 December 1997, Cruz Azul claimed theInvierno 1997 league title, defeatingLeón in the final through agolden goal, ending a 17-year league title drought[71] and securing the club's secondcontinental treble.[10] The decisive moment came during extra time in the second-leg, when León goalkeeperÁngel Comizzo fouled strikerCarlos Hermosillo inside the penalty area in the 15th minute.[72] RefereeArturo Brizio awarded a penalty kick to Cruz Azul, though Comizzo remained on the field. Hermosillo, visibly injured from the incident, converted the penalty, securing the title for Cruz Azul under the golden goal rule.[56][71][73]
In 2001, Cruz Azul qualified for theCopa Libertadores through theCopa Pre-Libertadores, a playoff tournament involving Mexican and Venezuelan clubs. Placed in Group 7 alongsideSão Caetano,Defensor Sporting, andOlmedo, finishing top of the group with 13 points.[74]
In the round of 16, Cruz Azul overcame a 2–1 first-leg loss toCerro Porteño with a 3–1 victory at home, advancing on aggregate. The quarter-finals saw the club faceRiver Plate, securing a 0–0 draw inBuenos Aires and winning 3–0 inMexico City. In the semi-finals againstRosario Central, Cruz Azul won the first-leg 2–0 at home and drew 3–3 inRosario to progress to the final.[75]
The final was played againstBoca Juniors. After a 1–0 defeat in the first-leg atEstadio Azteca, Cruz Azul won the return leg 1–0 atLa Bombonera, withFrancisco Palencia scoring the goal that leveled the aggregate score. The title was decided by apenalty shootout, which Boca Juniors won. Despite the loss, Cruz Azul became the first Mexican club to reach a Copa Libertadores final, a performance that received widespread recognition in both Mexico andSouth America.[76][77]
On 16 July 2005, Cruz Azul managerRubén Omar Romano was abducted by five men after leaving a pre-season training session. The assailants used two stolen vehicles to block his car, and a ransom note was later delivered to his family demanding $500,000.[78] During Romano's absence, assistant coach Isaac Mizrahi assumed coaching responsibilities.[79]
After 65 days in captivity, Romano was located and safely rescued during a federal raid on a residence where he was being held. Authorities arrested seven individuals connected to the abduction, reportedly acting under the orders of convicted kidnapper José Luis Canchola.[80]
While Romano was still in captivity, Cruz Azul chose not to renew his contract beyond theApertura 2005 tournament and formally offered the head coaching position to Mizrahi.[81] Romano later expressed disappointment over the club's decision and stated that the incident affected his personal relationship with Mizrahi.[82]
Between 2008 and 2013, Cruz Azul was regularly considered a title contender due to its financial resources and competitive squads. However, during this period, the club reached multiple domestic and international finals without securing a major title.[83] Several of these losses involved late equalizers or narrow margins, leading to media and fan narratives about the club's inability to close matches. The termcruzazulear—meaning to lose a match despite having a clear advantage—gained traction around 2013 and was formally recognized by theRoyal Spanish Academy in 2020.[84][85][86]
In theClausura 2008 tournament, Cruz Azul finished second in the regular season and advanced to thefinal, where they lost 3–2 on aggregate toSantos Laguna.[87] The following tournament,Apertura 2008, saw the club reach another final after defeatingPumas UNAM andAtlante in the playoffs. In the final againstToluca, Cruz Azul lost the first-leg 2–0 but leveled the aggregate with a 2–0 win in the return leg. The match went to penalties, with Toluca winning the shootout 7–6.[88]
Cruz Azul's participation in the2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League ended in thefinal, where they lost 2–0 on aggregate to Atlante. En route to the final, they had eliminated Pumas UNAM andPuerto Rico Islanders.[89]
In theClausura 2009 tournament, the club finished last in the league, recording only 13 points in 17 matches. ManagerBenjamín Galindo was dismissed near the end of the season and was replaced byRobert Dante Siboldi on an interim basis.[90]
For theApertura 2009, Cruz Azul appointedEnrique Meza as head coach and reinforced the squad with key signings, including goalkeeperJosé de Jesús Corona and strikerEmanuel Villa. The team finished second in the regular season and reached the final after playoff wins overPuebla andMorelia. Despite Villa finishing as the league's top scorer with 17 goals, Cruz Azul lost thefinal toMonterrey 6–4 on aggregate, marking their third league final defeat in less than two years.[91][92]
In the2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, Cruz Azul finished first in Group C and advanced to the knockout stage.[93] The team defeatedÁrabe Unido 4–0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and overcamePumas UNAM in the semi-finals, losing the first-leg 1–0 but winning the return leg 5–1 atEstadio Azul. In the final againstPachuca, Cruz Azul won the first-leg 2–1 at home but lost the second-leg 1–0, conceding a goal in stoppage time. With the aggregate tied 2–2, Pachuca was awarded the championship based on the away goals rule, denying Cruz Azul a place in the2010 FIFA Club World Cup.[94]
In April 2012, the club officially changed its name fromClub Deportivo, Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, A.C. toCruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C..[95]
During the Clausura 2013, Cruz Azul initially struggled in league play but gained momentum after defeatingAmérica in theCopa MX semi-finals and later winning the tournament by defeatingAtlante in the final.[96] Following their cup victory, the club's league form improved, and they qualified for the playoffs as one of the title contenders. In the final of theClausura 2013 tournament, Cruz Azul again faced América in a notable edition of theClásico Joven. After winning the first-leg and leading 2–0 on aggregate late into the second-leg, América equalized with goals in the 89th minute byAquivaldo Mosquera and in the 93rd minute by goalkeeperMoisés Muñoz. América went on to win the championship 4–2 in a penalty shootout.[97]
On 23 April 2014, Cruz Azul won its sixthCONCACAF Champions League title after defeatingToluca, securing the club's first trophy in 17 years.[98] The victory qualified Cruz Azul for the2014 FIFA Club World Cup, where the team finished in fourth place.[99]
Between theApertura 2014 andClausura 2017 tournaments, Cruz Azul failed to qualify for theliguilla playoffs for six consecutive seasons.[100] The club returned to the playoffs in theApertura 2017 but was eliminated in the quarter-finals byAmérica on aggregate after a 0–0 draw, with América advancing due tohigher seeding. On 27 November 2017, the club announced that managerPaco Jémez would not renew his contract for the following season.[101][102]
In theClausura 2018, Cruz Azul finished in 12th place and did not qualify for the playoffs. The club also placed last in itsCopa MX group.On 7 May 2018, sporting directorEduardo de la Torre left the club and was replaced byRicardo Peláez, formerly of América.[103][104][105][106] Later that year, Cruz Azul won theApertura 2018 Copa MX, defeatingMonterrey 2–0 in thefinal.[107] In the sametournament, the club reached the Liga MX final once again, facing América in a rematch of theClausura 2013 final. The first-leg ended 0–0, and América won the second-leg 2–0, extending Cruz Azul's league title drought.
In May 2020, club presidentGuillermo Álvarez Cuevas was indicted on multiple charges, includingtax fraud,racketeering, andmoney laundering.[108] An arrest warrant was issued on 26 July for Álvarez and other board members for alleged ties to organized crime.[109][110] He resigned from his position in August 2020 after more than three decades as club president.[111] Álvarez remained a fugitive for over four years before being arrested in Mexico City on 16 January 2025 and transferred to thePenal del Altiplano federal prison.[112][113]
On 6 December 2020, Cruz Azul playedPumas UNAM in theGuardianes 2020 semi-finals. Despite winning the first-leg 4–0, Cruz Azul lost the second-leg by the same scoreline. With the aggregate score level at 4–4, Pumas UNAM advanced to the final due to their higher placement in the regular season standings, in accordance by the competition's tiebreaker rules.[114]
Following the Guardianes 2020 tournament, Cruz Azul appointedJuan Reynoso as head coach in preparation for theGuardianes 2021 tournament.[115] Reynoso, a former player, had been part of the club's most recent league title in theInvierno 1997 tournament. Álvaro Dávila also joined as executive president.[116] After two opening defeats, Cruz Azul won 12 consecutive matches, tying theLiga MX record set byLeón in theClausura 2019. The streak ended with a 1–1 draw againstAmérica, and Cruz Azul finished the regular season as league leaders with 41 points from 17 matches. In the playoffs, Cruz Azul eliminatedToluca andPachuca to reach the final, where they facedSantos Laguna. After a 1–0 win in the first leg and a 1–1 draw in the return leg on 30 May 2021, Cruz Azul secured a 2–1 aggregate victory to win their ninth league title, ending a 23-year championship drought.[83][117] The club followed that success by defeatingLeón 2–1 in theCampeón de Campeones match on 18 July 2021.[118] Despite this, Cruz Azul struggled in the following tournaments. After elimination in theClausura 2022 quarter-finals, Reynoso was dismissed on 18 May 2022.[119]
On 30 May 2022,Diego Aguirre was named head coach.[120] He led the club to a win in the2022 Supercopa de la Liga MX, defeatingAtlas on penalties after a 2–2 draw.[121] However, Aguirre was dismissed on 21 August after a 7–0 loss toAmérica, one of the club's worst defeats.[122]Raúl Gutiérrez succeeded him[123] but was let go on 13 February 2023 after a poor run of results.[124]Ricardo Ferretti was then appointed on 22 February,[125] but was also dismissed on 7 August.[126]Joaquín Moreno was named interim[127] and later confirmed as head coach for the remainder of theApertura 2023 tournament.[128] After a 16th-place finish, Moreno stepped down in 19 December[129] and was appointed director of theclub's reserves and academy system.[130]
On 20 December 2023, Cruz Azul appointedMartín Anselmi as head coach.[131] Ahead of theClausura 2024, the club signed several players includingKevin Mier,Gabriel Fernández,Lorenzo Faravelli andGonzalo Piovi. After an opening loss, Cruz Azul went on to finish second in the regular season with 33 points. The club eliminatedPumas UNAM andMonterrey to reach the final againstAmérica—the sixth final between the two clubs, making it the most contested final in Liga MX history.[132] América won the title 2–1 on aggregate following a penalty awarded in the second-leg.[133]
In theApertura 2024, Cruz Azul began with a six-match unbeaten streak and entered the final matchday needing just a draw to set a new Liga MX short-tournament points record. A late equalizer byÁngel Sepúlveda againstTigres UANL gave Cruz Azul a 1–1 draw and secured a record 42 points.[134] Cruz Azul defeatedTijuana in the quarter-finals after overturning a 3–0 first-leg deficit with a 3–0 home win.[135] In the semi-finals, the club faced América. After a 0–0 draw in the first-leg, Cruz Azul equalized late in the second-leg, but América advanced with a stoppage-time penalty, winning 4–3 on aggregate.[136]
Ahead of theClausura 2025, Cruz Azul announced that its home matches would be played atEstadio Olímpico Universitario.[137] On 24 January 2025, Anselmi departed for Portuguese clubPorto without prior notice to the club, leading to controversy and the threat of legal action over alleged breach of contract.[138][139][140]Vicente Sánchez was appointed interim manager the next day,[141] and was ratified as permanent head coach on 23 February.[142] The club went on to win a record-equalling seventh CONCACAF Champions Cup title in his first four months in charge, with the club defeatingVancouver Whitecaps 5–0 in thefinal,[143] a victory that also secured their qualification for the2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the2029 FIFA Club World Cup.[144] On 6 June 2025, Cruz Azul announced Sánchez's departure by mutual agreement, with media reports indicating that the club's decision was based on an assessment that his project lacked long-term viability.[145]
On 16 June 2025, Cruz Azul announcedNicolás Larcamón as their new head coach, signing a two-year contract with an option for one more.[146][147]
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Cruz Azul's crest has evolved over the decades, consistently reflecting the club's core identity since its founding in 1927.[148][149] The blue cross, positioned within a white circle and framed by a red square, has long symbolized the club's heritage and connection toCooperativa La Cruz Azul, S.C.L., representing the values of unity, resilience, and teamwork. The cross itself is inspired by British influences, as Cruz Azul was originally connected toBritish culture.[150]
In its early years, the club's emblem was a simple, shield-shaped design centered around the blue cross, a powerful symbol linked to the cooperative roots of the organization. As Cruz Azul grew in prominence, the club refined its emblem in 1964, adopting a rounder design that included the full name, Club Deportivo Cruz Azul. This design marked a shift in the club's identity as it became more established in Mexican football, presenting a more formal, professional image while keeping the cross as its focal point.[151]
The crest underwent another change in the early 1970s following Cruz Azul's first league title. Stars were added above the cross to represent these achievements, and by 1973, the crest displayed three stars, celebrating the team's growing success in the Primera División. This marked the beginning of a tradition where stars were added to commemorate each league title, creating a visual record of Cruz Azul's accomplishments within the emblem. In the years that followed, the club's crest was further refined, with cleaner lines and a modernized look that highlighted the name “Deportivo Cruz Azul” alongside the cross. By 1980, the stars were standardized, and the design streamlined to enhance brand consistency, allowing it to adapt more easily across various media and merchandise. This period solidified the crest's status as one of Mexican football's most recognizable symbols.[152]
As Cruz Azul's prominence grew within Mexican football, the club introduced a significant redesign of its crest in 1997. The emblem was updated to a circular shape, giving it a modern and unified appearance that stood out among traditional club designs. This circular design was complemented by the addition of the word “Mexico” around the outer ring, a declaration of the club's pride in representing the nation at both domestic and international levels. The new shape and wording reinforced Cruz Azul's identity as a symbol of Mexican football, making the crest instantly recognizable and resonant with fans across the country. This design remained largely unchanged for over two decades, becoming a lasting emblem of the club's heritage.[153]
In 2021, Cruz Azul modified its crest to celebrate a significant milestone as the club achieved its ninth Liga MX title, ending a 23-year drought since their previous league title in 1997. This redesign added a ninth star around the emblem, symbolizing the triumph and resilience of the club after years of pursuit. The iconic blue cross remained unchanged at the center, preserving the emblem’s traditional identity while marking this significant moment in Cruz Azul's history.[154] The following year, “Club de Futbol” replaced “Deportivo” around the outer ring, signaling a subtle shift in branding as the club continued to evolve while honoring its heritage. Additionally, the stars encircling the emblem were removed, streamlining the design to focus on the iconic blue cross and the club’s name. This current iteration embodies a forward-looking spirit while remaining grounded in the cooperative principles that have defined Cruz Azul from the beginning.[155]
The colours of Cruz Azul—red, white, and blue—pay homage to the British origins ofthe company and reflect the club's identity. The blue cross signifies strength and solidarity, while the red and white enhance the visual representation of the club's heritage. This colour palette, deeply rooted in the cooperative's history, represents the values of the organization and its commitment to unity within the community. Additionally, the blue, white, and red colours resonate with the symbolism of theSanta Cruz (Holy Cross), further solidifying the connection to the cooperative's mission and identity.[150]
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor (main) | Other sponsors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–1997 | Azul Sport | Cemento Cruz Azul | None |
| 1997–1998 | Fila | Lada | |
| 1998–2001 | Pepsi andTelmex | ||
| 2002–2004 | Umbro | ||
| 2004–2008 | Coca-Cola andTelcel | ||
| 2008–2009 | Coca-Cola,Telcel andSony | ||
| 2009–2010 | Powerade,Telcel andSony | ||
| 2010–2011 | Coca-Cola andTelcel | ||
| 2011–2013 | Coca-Cola,Telcel,Tecate andVolaris | ||
| 2013–2014 | Coca-Cola,Telcel,Tecate andScotiabank | ||
| 2014–2017 | Under Armour | Boing!,Scotiabank,Telcel andTecate | |
| 2017–2018 | Scotiabank,Telcel andTecate | ||
| 2018 | Caliente[156] | ||
| 2019–2023 | Joma | ||
| 2023–2024 | Pirma | ||
| 2024 | Caliente and Cemix[157] | ||
| 2025 | Caliente, Cemix and Bankaool[158] | ||
| 2025– | Novibet,[159] Nikko Auto-Parts,[160] Cemix and Bankaool |
Cruz Azul has a rich variety of nicknames over its history, listed chronologically:
Cruz Azul originally played atEstadio 10 de Diciembre in Jasso, Hidalgo, from 1964 to 1971. This 17,000-seat stadium saw the club's first league titles in the1968–69 and1970 seasons. Although they left the stadium in 1971, it remained an alternate venue for Copa México, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, and some league matches.[164]
In 1971, Cruz Azul moved to theEstadio Azteca in Mexico City, where they experienced some of their most significant achievements, including five league titles and multiple domestic and international cup victories. They briefly left in 1996 for theEstadio Azul, where they played until 2018. The team returned to theAzteca in 2018, where they won their ninth league title in 2021.[165]
The Estadio Azul, located in Mexico City'sColonia Nápoles, served as Cruz Azul's home from 1996 to 2018. Despite never winning a league title there, it was an iconic venue for the club. After a contract renewal issue, the team returned to theAzteca but announced a temporary return to the Estadio Azul, now known as theEstadio Ciudad de los Deportes, in 2024 due to renovations at theAzteca for the upcoming2026 FIFA World Cup.[166]
Cruz Azul's second stint at Ciudad de los Deportes lasted one year,[167] as from 2025 the team moved to theEstadio Olímpico Universitario due to logistical issues at the Colonia Nápoles stadium.[4]
The team's training facilities,Instalaciones La Noria, are located inXochimilco.[6] The team has indicated that it intends to builda new stadium, but solid plans such as location have not materialized.[168]
The most recent survey from 2021 ranked Cruz Azul as having the third-largest fan base in Mexico, behindGuadalajara andAmérica and ahead ofPumas UNAM, with approximately 10.9% of national support—or around 14 million fans.[169] Historically, the club was primarily supported by cement workers fromCooperativa 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.
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 clubBayer Leverkusen, the "Curse of the Bambino" forMLB'sBoston Red Sox, and the "Curse of the Billy Goat" associated with theChicago 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 theGuardianes 2021 final againstSantos Laguna, winning 2–1 on aggregate on 30 May 2021. The title drought had included six lost finals and numerous other painful playoff eliminations.[170] It also gave rise to the colloquial Mexican Spanish verbcruzazulear, meaning to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory or to "choke" in dramatic fashion.[171]
The club had its own officialcheerleading club, known asLas Celestes, who were included as part of the institution 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.[172]
Cruz Azul has a passionate fan base, withLa Sangre Azul as its only official supporters' group (barra brava in Spanish), recognized by the club. Established in January 2001, it is known for its unwavering support, creating a vibrant atmosphere at both home and away games. Through their chants, banners, and coordinated displays, they play a vital role in uniting fans and enhancing the matchday experience.[173] However, in March 2015, the group lost the support of the club's board due to violent incidents.[174] In recent seasons, though, the relationship with the club's new board has shown signs of improvement, aiming to restore a positive and collaborative connection.La Sangre Azul stands as a key element of Cruz Azul's fan culture, embodying the loyalty and pride of the club's supporters.[175]
Cruz Azul's biggest rival isAmérica, with their encounters are famously known as theClásico Joven (lit. 'Young Classic').[176] 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 the1971–72 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 theClausura 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, theClásico Joven is the fixture with the most finals contested between two clubs in Mexican football, with a total of seven championship matchups.[177][178]
Culturally, the rivalry is rooted in social and institutional contrasts. América is often associated with wealth and establishment due to its ownership by media conglomerateTelevisa, while Cruz Azul is historically linked to the working class, stemming from its roots as a team founded by cement companyCooperativa La Cruz Azul. This contrast is reflected in the nicknameLos Albañiles (lit. 'bricklayers'), used for Cruz Azul and its supporters.[27] 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,[179] whileCarlos Hermosillo remains the top scorer inClásico Joven history, scoring 15 goals in total—seven with América and eight with Cruz Azul.[180] 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 theEstadio Azteca for much of their history, adding to the derby-like atmosphere of their clashes. As of May 2025, the two clubs have met 203 times in total matches, with América holding 74 wins, 61 victories for Cruz Azul, and 68 matches ending in draws.[180]
Cruz Azul maintains a historic rivalry withPachuca, known as theClásico Hidalguense (lit. ''Hidalgo Classic''). The rivalry is rooted in their shared geographical origins in the state ofHidalgo; Cruz Azul was founded in the town of Jasso (now part of the municipality ofTula de Allende) before the team's relocation toMexico City on 1971.[181] The first top-flight encounter between the clubs occurred during the1967–68 season, where Cruz Azul secured a 1–0 victory as the away team, marking the beginning of the rivalry on the national stage.[182] 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.[183]
One of the rivalry's most significant historical matches occurred during theMéxico 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.[184] In the modern era, the most notable clash between the two clubs occurred in theInvierno 1999 tournament. In a dramatic series, Pachuca defeated Cruz Azul with agolden goal in extra-time to claim their first-ever league championship, cementing a pivotal moment in the rivalry's history.[185] The rivalry extended to a continental stage in theCONCACAF Champions League final, which Pachuca won onaway goals after a 2–2 aggregate score to claim their fourth continental title.[186] In the semi-finals of theGuardianes 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.[187]
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| President |  Víctor Velázquez |
| Administrative director | Antonio Reynoso |
| Director of football |  Iván Alonso |
| Coordinator of football | Mathías Cardaccio |
| Director of sports science | Andrés Payssé |
| Director of academy | Joaquín Moreno |
Source:Cruz Azul
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager |  Nicolás Larcamón |
| Assistant managers | Javier Bergés |
| Joel Huiqui | |
 Miguelangel Vasquez | |
| Goalkeeper coach | Carlos Nicola |
| Fitness coaches | Juan Gutiérrez |
| Fernando Ramos | |
| Physiotherapists | Paolo Arriaga |
| José Morales | |
| Team doctors | Antonio Acevedo |
| Juan Pérez |
Source:Liga MX
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Reserve team that plays in theLiga TDP (Group II), the fourth level of theMexican football league system.
Reserve team that played in thePrimera División "A" from 1992 to 2003 and again from 2006 to 2014, andLiga Premier from 2014 to 2021.
Reserve team that played in thePrimera División "A" from 2003 to 2006.
Reserve team that played in theSegunda División from 2006 to 2015.
Reserve team that played in theSegunda División/Liga Premier from 2015 to 2018.
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| Name | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Paulino Sánchez[38] | 1961–62 | First coach to manage Cruz Azul in their professional era. |
 Jorge Marik | 1962–66 | Promoted the team to the Primera División after winning the Segunda División in the1963–64 season. |
 Walter Ormeño | 1966 | |
| Raúl Cárdenas | 1966–75 | Won five league titles (1968–69,México 70,1971–72,1972–73 and1973–74), threeCONCACAF Champions' Cup titles (1969,1970 and1971), one national cup title (1968–69), and twoCampeón de Campeones titles (1969 and1974). |
| José Moncebáez | 1975–76 | |
| Jorge Marik | 1976 | |
| Alfonso Portugal | 1976 | |
| Ignacio Trelles | 1977–82 | Won two league titles (1978–79 and1979–80). |
| Miguel Marín | 1982 | |
| Enrique Meza | 1982–83 | |
 Alberto Quintano | 1983–86 | |
| Héctor Pulido | 1986–88 | |
| Manuel Lapuente | 1988 | |
| Mario Velarde | 1988–90 | |
 Axel Bierbaum | 1990 | |
| Ignacio Prieto | 1990–92 | |
| Nelson Acosta | 1 July 1992 – 31 December 1992 | |
| Enrique Meza | 1 July 1992 – 29 January 1995 | Second tenure at the club. |
| Luis Fernando Tena | 1995–96 | Won the1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. |
| Víctor Manuel Vucetich | 1 July 1996 – 9 March 1997 | Won the second national cup title (1996–97 Copa México). |
| Jesús del Muro | 1997 | |
| Luis Fernando Tena | 1997–2000 | Won Cruz Azul's eighth league title (Invierno 1997), againstLeón, and the1997 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. Lost a leaguefinal againstPachuca in 1999. |
| José Luis Trejo | 31 March 2000 – 31 December 2002 | Led Cruz Azul to theCopa Libertadores final in2001. |
| Mario Carrillo | 1 January 2003 – 7 March 2003 | |
| Enrique Meza | 15 March 2003 – 7 March 2004 | |
| Luis Fernando Tena | 12 March 2004 – 17 October 2004 | |
| José Luis Saldívar | 19 October 2004[201] – December 2004 | |
| Rubén Omar Romano | January 2005 – 15 December 2005[202] | Kidnapped and held hostage for 65 days during his tenure. |
| Isaac Mizrahi Smeke | 15 December 2005 – 20 May 2007 | |
| Sergio Markarián | 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2008 | Led Cruz Azul to afinal after nearly 10 years, lost againstSantos Laguna. |
| Benjamín Galindo | 1 July 2008 – 30 June 2009 | Lost two finals with Cruz Azul: one againstToluca in the leaguefinal, and another againstAtlante in the2009 CONCACAF Champions League final. |
| Enrique Meza | 1 July 2009 – 30 June 2012 | Led the team to another leaguefinal, but lost againstMonterrey, and also reached the2010 CONCACAF Champions League final, where they were defeated byPachuca. |
| Guillermo Vázquez | 1 July 2012 – 3 December 2013 | Won the third national cup title (Clausura 2013 Copa MX). |
| Luis Fernando Tena | 4 December 2013 – 19 May 2015 | Won the2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League. |
| Sergio Bueno | 1 June 2015 – 28 September 2015 | |
| Tomás Boy | 2 October 2015 – 22 October 2016 | |
 Paco Jémez | 28 November 2016 – 27 November 2017 | Led Cruz Azul to first liguilla appearance sinceClausura 2014 in theApertura 2017 season. |
 Pedro Caixinha | 5 December 2017 – 2 September 2019 | Won the fourth national cup title (Apertura 2018 Copa MX), the2019 Supercopa MX, and led Cruz Azul to the first leaguefinal sinceClausura 2013. |
| Robert Siboldi | 6 September 2019 – 11 December 2020 | Won the inaugural edition of theLeagues Cup. |
| Juan Reynoso | 7 January 2021 – 19 May 2022 | Tied league record for consecutive wins (12). Won the club's ninth league title (Guardianes 2021). |
| Diego Aguirre | 30 May 2022 – 21 August 2022 | Won the inaugural edition of theSupercopa de la Liga MX. |
| Raúl Gutiérrez | 22 August 2022 – 13 February 2023 | |
 Ricardo Ferretti | 22 February 2023 – 7 August 2023 | |
| Joaquín Moreno | 8 August 2023 – 19 December 2023 | |
| Martín Anselmi | 20 December 2023 – 24 January 2025 | Broke the record for most league points (42) in short tournaments(Apertura 2024). |
| Vicente Sánchez | 25 January 2025 – 6 June 2025 | Won the2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup. |
| Nicolás Larcamón | 16 June 2025 –Present |
Cruz Azul's first major title came in the1968–69 season, when the club won the Mexican Primera División just five years after being promoted.[55] During its golden era in the 1970s, Cruz Azul won six league titles within the decade, earning the nicknameLa Máquina for its dominant, machine-like style of play.[203] 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 three occasions. The club also won the Supercopa MX in 2019[204] and the Supercopa de la Liga MX in 2022.[205]
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 withAmérica.[206] In 2001, the club became the first Mexican and CONCACAF team to reach the final of theCopa Libertadores, narrowly losing toBoca Juniors on penalties.[207]
Cruz Azul has also competed in the FIFA Club World Cup[208] and the Copa Interamericana,[209] and remains one of the most supported and historically significant football clubs in theAmericas.[210]
| Type | Competition | Titles | Winning editions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Top division | Primera División/Liga MX | 9 | 1968–69,México 1970,1971–72,1972–73,1973–74,1978–79,1979–80,Invierno 1997,Guardianes 2021 | 1969–70,1980–81,1986–87,1988–89,1994–95,Invierno 1999,Clausura 2008,Apertura 2008,Apertura 2009,Clausura 2013,Apertura 2018,Clausura 2024 |
| Copa México/Copa MX | 4 | 1968–69,1996–97,Clausura 2013,Apertura 2018 | 1973–74,1987–88 | |
| Campeón de Campeones | 3 | 1969,1974,2021 | 1972 | |
| Supercopa MX | 1s | 2019 | – | |
| Supercopa de la Liga MX | 1s | 2022 | – | |
| Promotion division | Segunda División | 1 | 1963–64 | – |
| Type | Competition | Titles | Winning editions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IntercontinentalCONCACAF CONMEBOL | Copa Interamericana | 0 | – | 1971 |
 ContinentalCONCACAF | CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League | 7s | 1969,1970,1971,1996,1997,2013–14,2025 | 2008–09,2009–10 |
| ContinentalCONMEBOL | CONMEBOL Libertadores | 0 | – | 2001 |
| Type | Competition | Titles | Winning editions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  North AmericaMLSLiga MX | Leagues Cup | 1s | 2019 | – |
| Campeones Cup | 0 | – | 2021 |
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.[228]
(in Spanish)
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