Mexican giant Club América defeated CF Monterrey with a 3-2 aggregate score to become Liga MX champions for a record 16th time on Sunday, turning into the first club to ever win back-to-back-to-back league titles since the installment of the two-tournament-per-year format in 1996.
Las Águilas were able to maintain their 2-1 win lead from the first leg, holding Rayados to a draw at their very own Estadio BBVA in Monterrey to write their name in the history books of Mexican soccer. Richard Sánchez's worldie from outside the box practically sealed América's third title in-a-row.
CLUB AMÉRICA WIN THE 2024 LIGA MX APERTURA AND COMPLETE THE THREE-PEAT pic.twitter.com/b8GjCZTkjV
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 16, 2024
Richard Sánchez with a banger in the Liga MX final
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 16, 2024
This historic three peat win comes just 18 months after current manager André Jardine’s arrival to the club, with the Brazilian coach having a perfect first three tournaments in charge.
Jardine is now also the most-decorated manager in the history of the club, with his six trophies (Liga MX, Campeon de Campeones, Supercopa MX and Campeones Cup) in under two years immortalizing his stint with the azulcremas.
Gracias Profe #Grand3sDeCorazón pic.twitter.com/jqVbTYjlFa
— Club América (@ClubAmerica) December 16, 2024
América’s latest trophy (16) puts them four league titles ahead of rivals Chivas (12), with the club also leading the race in the amount of league cups (6), Concacaf Champions League (7) and supercup (7) titles.
. #Grand3sDeCorazón pic.twitter.com/IvnIWGDaVm
— Club América (@ClubAmerica) December 16, 2024
The kings of Liga MX.
USMNT’s Alejandro Zendejas shines for Club América; now overdue for a move to Europe
U.S. men’s national team player, Alejandro Zendejas, was one of, if not the most important player for América in their historic three peat acquisition, with the American attacker scoring and providing two assists for the club throughout both legs against Monterrey.
Alejandro Zendejas is one of Club América's most important players. The club is aiming to secure its third consecutive league title.
The turn and finish are exquisite. Chef's kiss.Enjoy him while you can, América. #USMNT
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) December 13, 2024
¿Alguien sabe si Alejandro Zendejas ya dejó de correr? La final que jugó y la Liguilla que firmó es para grabarla y mostrársela a todos los canteranos azulcremas y futuros refuerzos del América. El del sacrificio incansable. El de los goles y las asistencias en los momentos… pic.twitter.com/nPZMtpuMcb
— Invictos (@InvictosSomos) December 16, 2024
Since arriving to the club in 2022, Zendejas has been one of Liga MX’s most consistent players, continuously providing goals, assists and appearing in key moments for the club in the attack. Yet, at the same time, the former Club Necaxa man has characterized himself as a player who is notorious for his high defensive work rate and fitness, all while still paying his dues offensively in crucial games.
This form has ultimately allowed Zendejas to receive frequent call-ups to the national team (primarily made up of players actively in Europe's top leagues), with the 26-year-old making new manager Mauricio Pochettino’s squad in his first set of camps.
The call-ups, however, have not granted the Mexican-American a proper amount of minutes ahead of the ‘European-based starting XI,’ with fans now expecting Zendejas to make the jump to a European team to earn himself a solid spot in Pochettino’s starting rotation.
There have been hollow rumors of a transfer to Portuguese giant, FC Porto, with the upcoming winter transfer window looking like a busy one for Zendejas’ camp ahead of an overdue move to the big leagues.
