Cruz Azul

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, Mexico. It competes in Liga MX, the top tier of Mexican football. Founded in 1927 in Jasso, Hidalgo, as Club 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 to Cruz 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 the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, due to renovations at the Estadio Azteca for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Its headquarters are in La Noria, a suburb within Xochimilco in the southern part of Mexico City.

Domestically, the club has won nine league titles, four Copa MX, three Campeón de Campeones, and holds a joint-record with one Supercopa de la Liga MX and one Supercopa MX. In international competitions, the club's seven titles make it the joint-record most successful club in the history of the CONCACAF 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), the first CONCACAF team to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores—the most prestigious club competition in South American football—losing on penalties to Boca Juniors in 2001, achieving the continental treble in the 1968–69 season by winning the Primera División, Copa México and CONCACAF Champions' Cup titles, becoming the first CONCACAF club and third worldwide to accomplish this feat, and becoming the first club worldwide, and one of only five, to have won the continental treble twice.

In its 2014 Club World Ranking, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics placed Cruz Azul as the 99th-best club in the world and the third-best club in CONCACAF. According to several polls, Cruz Azul is the third-most popular team in Mexico, behind only Guadalajara and América. It is also the second most supported team in its area, Greater Mexico City, behind América and ahead of Pumas 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.

History

1927–1961: Early years and amateur success

Cruz Azul was founded in the late 1920s in Jasso, Hidalgo, where cement company Cooperativa 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 Garces López, a footballer, athlete and dentist, employed by the cooperative, had previously played for América and was part of Mexico's national team in its first official matches in 1923, as well as in the 1928 Olympic squad.

In 1925, the cooperative initially planned to form a baseball team, reflecting the sport's popularity in the area. However, Garces López advocated for football to become the company's official sport. After sustained lobbying, the cooperative held a referendum on 22 March 1927, in which football was selected. A football pitch replaced the baseball diamond, and the team was formally established two months later on 22 May 1927, with Garces López as its first manager. 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 the Great Depression. Due to the loss of demand and production of cement and other construction materials, the company faced bankruptcy and was acquired by cement company ''La Tolteca'' on 1 March 1931, for 1 million pesos. 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. The government of Hidalgo ruled in favor of the workers after it was shown ''La 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, exercising eminent 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 to ''Cooperativa Manufacturera de Cemento Portland La Cruz Azul, S.C.L.'', reestablishing itself as a cooperative on 29 January 1934. The debt was settled on 2 November 1941, 10 years after workers took ownership of the plant. In celebration, Cruz Azul organized a match against Real España, that ended in a 0–0 draw. This scenario of the club's formation encourages its working-class facade.

Between 1932 to 1943, Cruz Azul won 15 consecutive league titles in a local amateur league in the state of Hidalgo 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 to Mexico City to face the reserve teams of Atlante, Necaxa, Marte, and Real España, playing at Parque Necaxa to great success. By 1937, Cruz Azul had garnered a considerable following both in Hidalgo and Mexico City. During this period, Guillermo Álvarez Macías began playing as a midfielder for the team.

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. A self-proclaimed socialist, 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." In his goal to promote social well-being among members of the cooperative, Álvarez Macías invested into cultural and recreational activities. This included investing much more into the football club whose proceeds were used to provide the worker-players with better living conditions.

In 1958, club captain and machinist Luis Velázquez Hernández, served as the club's ambassador to the Mexican Football Federation to lobby for official membership on the club's behalf. Velázquez Hernández met Paulino Sánchez in Mexico City, who had ties to prominent football executives. They met with Joaquín Soria Terrazas and Ignacio Trelles to discuss membership in the federation for the club. 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.

In preparation for federation membership, Paulino Sánchez assumed the position as head manager of the club. Due to regulations, teams were required to have a reserve 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. Plans to construct a club stadium that complied to the standards set by the Mexican Football Federation were conceived in 1960, and with construction beginning in 1961, Estadio 10 de Diciembre was completed in 1963.

Despite not possessing federation membership, the club was invited to compete in the 1960 –61 edition of the ''Copa 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 against Zamora, and ended in a 2–1 victory. The second-leg, played on 9 April, resulted in a 3–3 draw. After advancing past Querétaro, winning the tie 1–0 on aggregate and being eliminated by Pumas UNAM, the team's performance prompted the Mexican Football Federation to grant Cruz Azul official registration as a professional club.

1961–1968: Transition to professionalism

Cruz Azul was officially registered to compete in Mexico's second-tier professional league for the 1961–62 season. In the early 1960s, due to regulations by the Mexican 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.
In 1961, Hungarian coach Jorge Marik, who had previously managed Atlas and Atlante, was appointed as head coach. Under his management, Cruz Azul earned direct promotion to the Primera División by finishing first in the 1963–64 Segunda División season, recording 19 wins, 7 draws, and 4 losses for a total of 45 points.

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. Cruz Azul debuted in the Mexican Primera División during the 1964–65 season and finished in 8th place, with a record of 10 wins, 9 draws, and 11 losses. After a less successful campaign in the 1965–66 season, where the team finished 13th out of 16 clubs, Marik departed. Walter Ormeño served briefly as interim coach, managing three games before the club appointed Raúl Cárdenas as head coach on 20 October 1966.

1968–1980: Golden era and domestic dominance

During the 1968–69 season, under the direction of Cárdenas, Cruz Azul won its first Copa México title, first Primera División championship, and first CONCACAF Champions' Cup. This achievement made the club the first team in both Mexico and the CONCACAF region to win all three major titles—commonly referred to as a continental treble—within four years of joining the top division.

In the 1969–70 Primera División season, Cruz Azul finished second on the general standings.
Later that year, on 15 December, the club was awarded the 1970 CONCACAF Champions' Cup after Saprissa and Transvaal withdrew from the tournament's second phase due to financial constraints.

Between 1970 and 1980, Cruz Azul established an era of dominance by winning six league titles—four under Cárdenas and two under Ignacio Trelles—becoming one of the most successful Mexican clubs of the decade. Led by legendary goalkeeper Miguel Marín, who made his final appearance for the club in a testimonial match against Guadalajara in June 1981, the team earned the nickname ''La Máquina'' ("The Machine") in reference to its consistent performances and playing style.

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.

1981–1997: First major drought and struggles

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 of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul and president of the club. Under his leadership, Cruz Azul pursued high-profile signings, including striker Carlos Hermosillo, who had come through América’s youth system and played for the senior team earlier in his career before joining Cruz Azul in 1991. 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), and 1995–96 (26 goals). In the 1994–95 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 by Necaxa.

1996–1997: Revival and second treble

On 20 July 1996, Cruz Azul ended a 16-year title drought by winning the 1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, held in Guatemala City. Under manager Víctor Manuel Vucetich, the team finished first in the round-robin tournament, including an 11–0 victory over Seattle Sounders. That same season, Cruz Azul also won the 1996–97 Copa México, defeating Toros Neza 2–0 at Estadio 10 de Diciembre.

In 1997, now managed by Luis Fernando Tena, the club won the CONCACAF Champions' Cup for a second consecutive year, defeating LA Galaxy in the final on 24 August.
On 7 December 1997, Cruz Azul claimed the Invierno 1997 league title, defeating León in the final through a golden goal, ending a 17-year league title drought and securing the club's second continental treble. The decisive moment came during extra time in the second-leg, when León goalkeeper Ángel Comizzo fouled striker Carlos Hermosillo inside the penalty area in the 15th minute. Referee Arturo 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.

1998–2013: Second drought and international pursuits

In 2001, Cruz Azul qualified for the Copa Libertadores through the Copa Pre-Libertadores, a playoff tournament involving Mexican and Venezuelan clubs. Placed in Group 7 alongside São Caetano, Defensor Sporting, and Olmedo, finishing top of the group with 13 points.

In the round of 16, Cruz Azul overcame a 2–1 first-leg loss to Cerro Porteño with a 3–1 victory at home, advancing on aggregate. The quarter-finals saw the club face River Plate, securing a 0–0 draw in Buenos Aires and winning 3–0 in Mexico City. In the semi-finals against Rosario Central, Cruz Azul won the first-leg 2–0 at home and drew 3–3 in Rosario to progress to the final.

The final was played against Boca Juniors. After a 1–0 defeat in the first-leg at Estadio Azteca, Cruz Azul won the return leg 1–0 at La Bombonera, with Francisco Palencia scoring the goal that leveled the aggregate score. The title was decided by a penalty 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 and South America.

2005 abduction of Rubén Omar Romano

On 16 July 2005, Cruz Azul manager Rubén 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. During Romano's absence, assistant coach Isaac Mizrahi assumed coaching responsibilities.

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.

While Romano was still in captivity, Cruz Azul chose not to renew his contract beyond the Apertura 2005 tournament and formally offered the head coaching position to Mizrahi. Romano later expressed disappointment over the club's decision and stated that the incident affected his personal relationship with Mizrahi.

2008–2013: Series of runner-ups and last-minute losses

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. 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 term ''cruzazulear''—meaning to lose a match despite having a clear advantage—gained traction around 2013 and was formally recognized by the Royal Spanish Academy in 2020.

In the Clausura 2008 season, Cruz Azul finished second in the regular season and advanced to the final, where they lost 3–2 on aggregate to Santos Laguna. The following tournament, Apertura 2008, saw the club reach another final after defeating Pumas UNAM and Atlante in the playoffs. In the final against Toluca, 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.

Cruz Azul's participation in the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League ended in the final, where they lost 2–0 on aggregate to Atlante. En route to the final, they had eliminated Pumas UNAM and Puerto Rico Islanders.

In the Clausura 2009 tournament, the club finished last in the league, recording only 13 points in 17 matches. Manager Benjamín Galindo was dismissed near the end of the season and was replaced by Robert Dante Siboldi on an interim basis.

For the Apertura 2009, Cruz Azul appointed Enrique Meza as head coach and reinforced the squad with key signings, including goalkeeper José de Jesús Corona and striker Emanuel Villa. The team finished second in the regular season and reached the final after playoff wins over Puebla and Morelia. Despite Villa finishing as the league's top scorer with 17 goals, Cruz Azul lost the final to Monterrey 6–4 on aggregate, marking their third league final defeat in less than two years.

In the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, Cruz Azul finished first in Group C and advanced to the knockout stage. The team defeated Árabe Unido 4–0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and overcame Pumas UNAM in the semi-finals, losing the first-leg 1–0 but winning the return leg 5–1 at Estadio Azul. In the final against Pachuca, 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 the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup.

In April 2012, the club officially changed its name from Club Deportivo, Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, A.C. to Cruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C..

During the Clausura 2013 season, Cruz Azul initially struggled in league play but gained momentum after defeating América in the Copa MX semi-finals and later winning the tournament by defeating Atlante in the final. 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 the Clausura 2013 tournament, Cruz Azul again faced América in a notable edition of the '' Clásico 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 by Aquivaldo Mosquera and in the 93rd minute by goalkeeper Moisés Muñoz. América went on to win the championship 4–2 in a penalty shootout.

2014–2020: Revival and modern challenges

On 23 April 2014, Cruz Azul won its sixth CONCACAF Champions League title after defeating Toluca, securing the club's first trophy in 17 years. The victory qualified Cruz Azul for the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, where the team finished in fourth place.

Between the Apertura 2014 and Clausura 2017 tournaments, Cruz Azul failed to qualify for the ''liguilla'' playoffs for six consecutive seasons. The club returned to the playoffs in the Apertura 2017 but was eliminated in the quarter-finals by América on aggregate after a 0–0 draw, with América advancing due to higher seeding. On 27 November 2017, the club announced that manager Paco Jémez would not renew his contract for the following season.

In the Clausura 2018, Cruz Azul finished in 12th place and did not qualify for the playoffs. The club also placed last in its Copa MX group.
On 7 May 2018, sporting director Eduardo de la Torre left the club and was replaced by Ricardo Peláez, formerly of América. Later that year, Cruz Azul won the Apertura 2018 Copa MX, defeating Monterrey 2–0 in the final. In the same season, the club reached the Liga MX final once again, facing América in a rematch of the Clausura 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 president Guillermo Álvarez Cuevas was indicted on multiple charges, including tax fraud, racketeering, and money laundering. An arrest warrant was issued on 26 July for Álvarez and other board members for alleged ties to organized crime. He resigned from his position in August 2020 after more than three decades as club president. Álvarez remained a fugitive for over four years before being arrested in Mexico City on 16 January 2025 and transferred to the Penal del Altiplano federal prison.

On 6 December 2020, Cruz Azul played Pumas UNAM in the Guardianes 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.

2021–present: End of the second drought and new successes

Following the Guardianes 2020 tournament, Cruz Azul appointed Juan Reynoso as head coach in preparation for the Guardianes 2021 season. Reynoso, a former player, had been part of the club's most recent league title in the Invierno 1997 season. Álvaro Dávila also joined as executive president. After two opening defeats, Cruz Azul won 12 consecutive matches, tying the Liga MX record set by León in the Clausura 2019. The streak ended with a 1–1 draw against América, and Cruz Azul finished the regular season as league leaders with 41 points from 17 matches. In the playoffs, Cruz Azul eliminated Toluca and Pachuca to reach the final, where they faced Santos 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. The club followed that success by defeating León 2–1 in the Campeón de Campeones match on 18 July 2021. Despite this, Cruz Azul struggled in the following tournaments. After elimination in the Clausura 2022 quarter-finals, Reynoso was dismissed on 18 May 2022.

On 30 May 2022, Diego Aguirre was named head coach. He led the club to a win in the 2022 Supercopa de la Liga MX, defeating Atlas on penalties after a 2–2 draw. However, Aguirre was dismissed on 21 August after a 7–0 loss to América, one of the club's worst defeats. Raúl Gutiérrez succeeded him but was let go on 13 February 2023 after a poor run of results. Ricardo Ferretti was then appointed on 22 February, but was also dismissed on 7 August. Joaquín Moreno was named interim and later confirmed as head coach for the remainder of the Apertura 2023 tournament. After a 16th-place finish, Moreno stepped down in 19 December and was appointed director of the club's reserves and academy system.

On 20 December 2023, Cruz Azul appointed Martín Anselmi as head coach. Ahead of the Clausura 2024, the club signed several players including Kevin Mier, Gabriel Fernández, Lorenzo Faravelli and Gonzalo Piovi. After an opening loss, Cruz Azul went on to finish second in the regular season with 33 points. The club eliminated Pumas UNAM and Monterrey to reach the final against América—the sixth final between the two clubs, making it the most contested final in Liga MX history. América won the title 2–1 on aggregate following a penalty awarded in the second-leg.

In the Apertura 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 by Ángel Sepúlveda against Tigres UANL gave Cruz Azul a 1–1 draw and secured a record 42 points. Cruz Azul defeated Tijuana in the quarter-finals after overturning a 3–0 first-leg deficit with a 3–0 home win. 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.

Ahead of the Clausura 2025, Cruz Azul announced that its home matches would be played at Estadio Olímpico Universitario. On 24 January 2025, Anselmi departed for Portuguese club Porto without prior notice to the club, leading to controversy and the threat of legal action over alleged breach of contract. Vicente Sánchez was appointed interim manager the next day, and was ratified as permanent head coach on 23 February. The club went on to win a record-equalling seventh CONCACAF Champions Cup title in his first four months in charge, with the club defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 5–0 in the final, a victory that also secured their qualification for the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. 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.

Crests and colours

Crests

File:Cruz Azul Femenil logo.png, 1927–1964
File:Cruz Azul (1964).png, 1964–1971
File:Cruz Azul 1970 (1).png, 1971–1972
File:Cruz Azul 1972–73.png, 1972–73
File:Cruz Azul 1973.png, 1973–1974
File:Cruz Azul 1974.png, 1974–1979
File:Cruz Azul 1979.png, 1979–1980
File:Cruz Azul 1980.png, 1980–1997
File:Cruz Azul (1997–1998).png, 1997
File:Cruz Azul FC.svg, 1998–2021
File:Escudo del Cruz Azul AC.svg, 2021–2022
File:Club de Futbol Cruz Azul.svg, 2022–present

Cruz Azul's crest has evolved over the decades, consistently reflecting the club's core identity since its founding in 1927. The blue cross, positioned within a white circle and framed by a red square, has long symbolized the club's heritage and connection to Cooperativa 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 to British culture.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

Colours

The colours of Cruz Azul—red, white, and blue—pay homage to the British origins of the 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 the ''Santa Cruz'' ( Holy Cross), further solidifying the connection to the cooperative's mission and identity.

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

Nicknames

Cruz Azul has a rich 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.
* ''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.
* ''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.

* ''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).

Stadium

Cruz Azul originally played at Estadio 10 de Diciembre in Jasso, Hidalgo, from 1964 to 1971. This 17,000-seat stadium saw the club's first league titles in the 1968–69 and 1970 seasons. Although they left the stadium in 1971, it remained an alternate venue for Copa México, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, and some league matches.

In 1971, Cruz Azul moved to the Estadio 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 the Estadio Azul, where they played until 2018. The team returned to the ''Azteca'' in 2018, where they won their ninth league title in 2021.

The Estadio Azul, located in Mexico City's Colonia 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 the ''Azteca'' but announced a temporary return to the Estadio Azul, now known as the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, in 2024 due to renovations at the ''Azteca'' for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Cruz Azul's second stint at Ciudad de los Deportes lasted one year, as from 2025 the team moved to the Estadio Olímpico Universitario due to logistical issues at the Colonia Nápoles stadium.

The team's training facilities, Instalaciones La Noria, are located in Xochimilco. The team has indicated that it intends to build a new stadium, but solid plans such as location have not materialized.

Support

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. 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.

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. 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.

The club had its own official cheerleading club, known as ''Las 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.

Cruz Azul has a passionate fan base, with ''La 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. However, in March 2015, the group lost the support of the club's board due to violent incidents. 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.

Rivalries

Cruz Azul's biggest rival is América, with their encounters are famously known as the ''Clásico Joven'' (). 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 six championship matchups.

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'' (), used for Cruz Azul and its supporters. 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, while Carlos Hermosillo remains the top scorer in ''Clásico Joven'' history, scoring 15 goals in total—seven with América and eight with Cruz Azul. 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 the Estadio 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.

Personnel

Management

Source
Cruz Azul

Coaching staff

Source
Liga MX

Players

Current squad

Out on loan

Reserve team's and Academy

* Cruz Azul Lagunas
Reserve team that plays in the Liga TDP (Group II), the fourth level of the Mexican football league system.

Defunct teams

* Cruz Azul Hidalgo
Reserve team that played in the Primera División "A" from 1992 to 2003 and again from 2006 to 2014, and Liga Premier from 2014 to 2021.
* Cruz Azul Oaxaca
Reserve team that played in the Primera División "A" from 2003 to 2006.
* Cruz Azul Jasso
Reserve team that played in the Segunda División from 2006 to 2015.
* Cruz Azul Premier
Reserve team that played in the Segunda División/Liga Premier from 2015 to 2018.

Former players

Player records

Tournament top scorers

;Primera División

;CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League

All-time records

Managers

Managerial history

Honours

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. 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. 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 and the Supercopa de la Liga MX in 2022.

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. 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.

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

National

International

Regional

*
* shared record

Friendly

* Torneo Almería: 1979
* Torneo Burgos: 1980
* Cuadrangular Azteca: 1981
* Triangular Los Ángeles: 1991
* Cuadrangular Querétaro: 1992
* Torneo Monterrey 400: 1996
* Copa Pachuca: 1997, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2007
* Copa 5 de Mayo: 2004
* Copa Panamericana DirecTV: 2007
* Copa Amistad: 2007
* Copa Aztex: 2009
* Copa Socio MX: 2015
* Supercopa Tecate: 2017
* Dynamo Charities Cup: 2017
* Copa GNP por México: 2020
* Copa Sky: 2022
* Copa Fundadores: 2024

Doubles and Trebles

* Doubles
** League and Copa México (2): 1968–69, 1996–97
** League and CONCACAF Champions' Cup (3): 1968–69, 1970, 1997
* Trebles
** League, Copa México and CONCACAF Champions' Cup (2): 1968–69, 1996–97

Records

Club statistics and records

* Cruz Azul has the distinction of being the only CONCACAF club to win the North American treble twice – winning the Primera División, Copa México, and CONCACAF Champions' Cup in 1969 and 1997.
* Cruz Azul is the Mexican club with the second-most titles at international level, behind only América (six titles in the CONCACAF Champions League, plus a runners-up finish twice in 2009 and 2010, one Leagues Cup title, as well as one runners-up finish in the Copa Libertadores in 2001).
* Cruz Azul is both the Mexican and overall club with the second-most titles in the CONCACAF Champions League, with six (behind only América, with seven).
* Cruz Azul holds the record for most consecutive wins in the history of the Primera División: 12 wins in the Guard1anes 2021.
* Cruz Azul is the Mexican team with the highest number of playoff games played (43), including rounds of reclassification.
* Cruz Azul is the first Mexican team to win a final crown via a "golden goal" (1997).
* Cruz Azul has played (14) and lost (8) the most playoff finals, and has the second-most final wins, with six (tied with Toluca and UNAM).
* Cruz Azul is one of three teams in the history of the Primera División have to win league titles in three consecutive seasons (succeeding in 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74), the other two teams being América, who did so decade later, and Guadalajara.
* Cruz Azul is the fastest team to become champions after being promoted, winning only five years after promotion in the 1968–69 season.
* Cruz Azul became the fastest team to win seven league titles, accomplishing the feat with only fifteen years playing in Mexico's Primera División.

Amateur era (1927–1961)

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.
*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.
*First recorded match: Cruz Azul's first match was against Jilotepec, resulting in a 16–0 win.
*Winning streak: Although there is no specific record, Cruz Azul maintained a notable winning streak during its years of dominance in the amateur league.

Professional era (since 1961)

*Seasons in Primera División: 60, ( never relegated since the team's debut in the 1964–65 season)
*Seasons in Segunda División: 3
*Playoff (''Liguilla'') for the title: 61
*Final for the title: 18, ( 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1994–95, Invierno 1997, Invierno 1999, Clausura 2008, Apertura 2008, Apertura 2009, Clausura 2013, Apertura 2018, Guardianes 2021, Clausura 2024)
*1st place: 15
*Relegated to Liga de Expansión MX: 0
*Promotion to the Primera División: 1, (in the 1963–64 season)
*Final position more repeated: 1st, (15 times)
*Best place in Primera División:
** In long tournaments: 1st, ( 1968–69, México 1970, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1995–96)
** In short tournaments: 1st, ( Invierno 1998, Invierno 2000, Apertura 2006, Apertura 2010, Clausura 2014, Apertura 2018, Guardianes 2021, Apertura 2024)
*Worst place in Primera División:
** In long tournaments: 18th of 20 teams, (in the 1989–90 season)
** In short tournaments: 18th of 18 teams, ( Clausura 2009)
*Highest score achieved:
** The national tournament: 8–2 against Toros Neza (in the 1993–94 season)
** In international tournaments: 12–2 against Leslie Verdes in 1988 CONCACAF Champions' Cup and 11–0 against Seattle Sounders in the 1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
*Highest score against:
** National tournaments: 0–7 against América ( Apertura 2022)
** In international tournaments: 1–6 against Fénix in the 2003 Copa Libertadores
*Most points in a season:
** In long tournaments: 57, (in the 1978–79 season)
** In short tournaments: 42, ( Apertura 2024) (Mexican football record for a 17-game tournament)
*Longest streak of games without losing: 19, (matchday 18 to semi-final second-leg in the 1973–74 season)
*Longest undefeated streak at home: 47, (1978–1980) (Mexican football record)
*Most goals scored in a season:
** In long tournaments: 91, (in the 1994–95 season)
** In short tournaments: 41, ( Invierno 1998)
*Most wins in a season: 22, (in the 1971–72 season)
*Most draws in a season: 17, (in the 1989–90 season)
*Most defeats in a season: 13, (in the 1982–83 and 1989–90 seasons)
*Consecutive wins in a season: 12, ( Guardianes 2021) (Mexican football record)
*More games without conceding: 5, (in the 1975–76 and 1983–84 seasons)
*Most consecutive wins: 12, ( Guardianes 2021) (Mexican football record)
*Most consecutive draws: 5, (in the 1973–74 season)
*Most consecutive games without a win: 11, (in the 1965–66 season)
*Fewest wins in a season: 2, ( Clausura 2009)
*Fewest draws in a season: 0, ( Apertura 2009)
*Fewest defeats in one season: 1, ( PRODE 85, Invierno 1998 and Apertura 2024)
*Player with the most goals in a season: Carlos Hermosillo, 35 (in the 1994–95 season)
*Most successful manager: Raúl Cárdenas, won 11 titles with the club:
** Primera División ( 1968–69, México 1970, 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74), Copa México ( 1968–69), Campeón de Campeones (1969 and 1974), CONCACAF Champions' Cup (1969, 1970 and 1971)
*Most successful player: Fernando Bustos, won 13 titles with the club:
** Primera División ( 1968–69, México 1970, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74 and 1978–79), Segunda División ( 1963–64), Copa México ( 1968–69), Campeón de Campeones (1969 and 1974), CONCACAF Champions' Cup (1969, 1970 and 1971)

Notes

References

External links

*
*

Independent websites

Cruz Azul – News and analysis
on Vamos Azul

Cruz Azul
at TUDN

Cruz Azul
at ESPN

Cruz Azul
at Liga MX

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Football clubs in Mexico
1927 establishments in Mexico
Association football clubs established in 1927
Football clubs in Mexico City
Liga MX teams
Works association football teams
CONCACAF Champions Cup–winning clubs
Unrelegated association football clubs