Best Club America Players of All Time: A Comprehensive List
Club America is one of the most successful football teams in Mexico, with a record 13 Liga MX titles to its name. The team has also enjoyed success in continental competitions, winning the CONCACAF Champions League seven times and the Copa Interamericana twice. Throughout its history, Club America has produced some of the greatest players in Mexican football, many of whom have gone on to become legends of the game.
The team’s golden era in the 1980s produced some of the greatest players in Club America’s history. Carlos Hermosillo, who scored 169 goals during his time at the club, is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in Mexican football history. Midfielder Alfredo Tena is another Club America legend, having won eight league titles and two CONCACAF Champions League titles during his time at the club. Other notable players from this era include Zague, who scored 207 goals in 13 seasons with the team, and goalkeeper Hector Miguel Zelada, who won four league titles and two CONCACAF Champions League titles during his time at Club America.
In recent years, Club America has continued to produce some of the best players in Mexican football. Striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who scored 126 goals in 333 appearances for the team, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Club America’s history. Other modern icons of the team include Pavel Pardo, who won three league titles and two CONCACAF Champions League titles during his time at the club, and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who won two league titles and two CONCACAF Champions League titles before moving to Europe.
Golden Era Legends
Club America has a rich history of producing some of the best footballers in Mexico. The club has seen several golden eras, but the one in the 1980s stands out as the most successful. During this period, the team won several domestic and international titles, and some of the best players in the club’s history emerged. Here are some of the standout players from Club America’s golden era:
Alfredo Tena
Alfredo Tena is one of the most iconic players in Club America’s history. He played for the club for over 20 years and was a key player during the 1980s. Tena was a versatile player who could play in defense and midfield. He was known for his excellent passing ability and his leadership skills. Tena won several titles with Club America, including seven league championships and the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup twice. He was also a regular member of the Mexican national team.
Cristobal Ortega
Cristobal Ortega was another key player during Club America’s golden era. He played as a striker and was known for his speed, agility, and goal-scoring ability. Ortega was a prolific scorer for Club America, scoring over 100 goals during his time with the club. He won several domestic titles with the team, including five league championships and two CONCACAF Champions’ Cup titles. Ortega was also a regular member of the Mexican national team.
Zague
Luis Roberto Alves, popularly known as Zague, was one of the most talented players to ever wear the Club America jersey. He played as a forward and was known for his technical ability, speed, and goal-scoring prowess. Zague was a key player during Club America’s golden era and helped the team win several domestic and international titles. He won seven league championships with the team and was also a member of the Mexican national team.
These three players were instrumental in Club America’s success during the 1980s. They were not only talented players but also leaders on and off the pitch. Their contributions to the club’s success will always be remembered by Club America fans.
Modern Icons
Club America has produced some of the most iconic players in Mexican football history. This section highlights some of the modern icons who have left a lasting impression on the club’s legacy.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco
Cuauhtemoc Blanco is one of the most recognizable Club America players of all time. The striker played for the club in two separate spells, scoring an impressive 125 goals in 333 appearances. He was instrumental in helping the team win the 2002 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup and the 2005 Clausura title. Blanco’s technical ability, vision, and creativity on the pitch made him a fan favorite and earned him a place in the club’s Hall of Fame.
Guillermo Ochoa
Guillermo Ochoa is one of the most successful Club America players of all time. The goalkeeper played for the club from 2004 to 2011, helping the team win two league titles and the 2006 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup. Ochoa’s agility, reflexes, and shot-stopping ability made him one of the best goalkeepers in the league. He has since gone on to represent the Mexican national team and play for top European clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Standard Liege.
Salvador Cabanas
Salvador Cabanas is one of the most tragic Club America players of all time. The Paraguayan striker played for the club from 2006 to 2010, scoring an incredible 124 goals in 179 appearances. He was instrumental in helping the team win the 2007 Clausura title and reach the final of the 2008 Copa Libertadores. However, Cabanas’ career was cut short when he was shot in the head in a nightclub in Mexico City in 2010. Despite making a miraculous recovery, he was never able to play professional football again.
These three players are just a few examples of the modern icons who have left a lasting legacy at Club America. Their skill, dedication, and passion for the club have made them unforgettable figures in Mexican football history.
Striking Greats
Club America has had some of the best strikers in the history of Mexican football. These players have been instrumental in the success of the team, scoring crucial goals and leading the attack. Here are some of the most notable striking greats in Club America’s history.
Luis Roberto Alves
Luis Roberto Alves, also known as Zague, is considered one of the greatest strikers in Club America’s history. He played for the team from 1988 to 1996 and scored 207 goals in 417 appearances. Zague was a prolific goal scorer and was known for his ability to score from anywhere on the pitch. He won multiple league titles with Club America and was also part of the Mexican national team that won the Gold Cup in 1993.
Enrique Borja
Enrique Borja is another legendary striker who played for Club America in the 1960s. He scored 171 goals in 240 appearances for the team and helped them win multiple league titles. Borja was known for his ability to score with both feet and his excellent positioning in the penalty box. He was also part of the Mexican national team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1970 World Cup.
Evanivaldo Castro
Evanivaldo Castro, also known as Cabinho, played for Club America in the 1970s and 1980s. He scored 160 goals in 305 appearances for the team and helped them win multiple league titles. Cabinho was known for his powerful left foot and his ability to score from free-kicks. He was also part of the Mexican national team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup.
These three players are just a few examples of the many great strikers who have played for Club America over the years. Their contributions to the team’s success will always be remembered by fans and football enthusiasts alike.
Midfield Maestros
When it comes to Club America’s best midfielders of all time, there are a few names that stand out. These players were not only instrumental in the club’s success but also left a lasting impact on Mexican football.
Carlos Reinoso
Carlos Reinoso is widely regarded as one of the best foreign midfielders in Mexican football history. He played for Club America from 1972 to 1980 and won six league titles with the team. After retiring from playing, Reinoso went on to manage the club on three separate occasions, winning two more titles as a coach.
Reinoso’s playing style was characterized by his technical ability, tactical intelligence, and leadership skills. He was a master of the midfield, controlling the tempo of the game and dictating play. His contributions to Club America’s success cannot be overstated, and he remains a legend of the club to this day.
Antonio Carlos Santos
Antonio Carlos Santos was a key player for Club America in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He won eight league titles with the team and was named the Mexican Balon de Oro (Golden Ball) winner in the 1987-88 season.
Santos was a versatile midfielder who could play both defensively and offensively. He was a tireless worker on the pitch, known for his work rate and stamina. He was also a skilled passer of the ball, capable of unlocking defenses with his vision and precision.
Rubens Sambueza
Rubens Sambueza is a more recent addition to Club America’s list of midfield maestros. He played for the team from 2012 to 2018 and won three league titles during his time there.
Sambueza was a creative force in the midfield, known for his dribbling skills, passing ability, and set-piece expertise. He was a fan favorite at Club America, and his performances on the pitch earned him a place in the hearts of the team’s supporters.
Overall, these three midfield maestros played a crucial role in Club America’s success over the years. Their contributions to the team’s history will not be forgotten, and they remain a source of inspiration for future generations of Club America players.
Defensive Pillars
Club America has had some of the best defenders in the history of Mexican football. These players have been instrumental in the team’s success over the years. Here are some of the most notable defensive pillars in the history of Club America.
Claudio Suarez
Claudio Suarez is considered one of the best defenders in the history of Mexican football. He played for Club America in the early 1990s and was part of the team that won the league title in the 1990-1991 season. Suarez was known for his excellent positioning, strong tackling, and aerial ability. He was also a threat on set-pieces and scored several goals for the team. Suarez went on to have a successful career in Mexico and the United States, earning over 170 caps for the Mexican national team.
Miguel Layun
Miguel Layun is another player who made a significant impact during his time at Club America. He joined the team in 2013 and quickly established himself as a key player in the squad. Layun was a versatile defender who could play in multiple positions, including left-back, right-back, and center-back. He was known for his excellent crossing ability, defensive work rate, and leadership qualities. Layun played a crucial role in helping Club America win the league title in the 2014 Apertura season.
Pablo Aguilar
Pablo Aguilar is a Paraguayan defender who played for Club America between 2014 and 2018. He was a commanding presence in the heart of the defense, known for his strength, aerial ability, and tackling. Aguilar was also a threat on set-pieces and scored several crucial goals for the team. He helped Club America win the league title in the 2014 Apertura season and was named in the Liga MX Best XI for the 2015-2016 season.
These three defenders are just a few examples of the many defensive pillars who have played for Club America over the years. Their contributions to the team’s success cannot be overstated, and they will always be remembered as some of the best defenders in the history of Mexican football.
Goalkeeping Legends
Club America has been blessed with some of the best goalkeepers in the history of Mexican football. Here are some of the most legendary goalkeepers to have donned the Club America jersey.
Adolfo Rios
Adolfo Rios is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Club America. He played for the team from 1996 to 2004 and was instrumental in the team’s success during that period. Rios was known for his excellent reflexes, shot-stopping abilities, and his ability to command his area. He won four league titles with Club America and was named the best goalkeeper in the league twice.
Hugo Gonzalez
Hugo Gonzalez is one of the most talented goalkeepers to have played for Club America. He joined the team in 2019 and has since established himself as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper. Gonzalez is known for his excellent shot-stopping abilities, his command of the area, and his distribution. He has already won two league titles with Club America and is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
Moises Munoz
Moises Munoz is another legendary goalkeeper who played for Club America. He joined the team in 2012 and played for the team until 2018. Munoz was instrumental in the team’s success during that period, helping the team win three league titles, a CONCACAF Champions League title, and a Copa MX title. He was known for his excellent shot-stopping abilities, his command of the area, and his leadership skills.
Overall, Club America has been blessed with some of the best goalkeepers in the history of Mexican football. These goalkeeping legends have played a crucial role in the team’s success over the years and will forever be remembered by Club America fans.
Iconic Managers
Club America has had many notable managers throughout its history. Here are some of the most iconic ones:
Miguel Herrera
Miguel Herrera, also known as “El Piojo,” managed Club America on three separate occasions. He won the Liga MX title with the team in the 2013 Clausura tournament, and then again in the 2018 Apertura tournament. Herrera is known for his fiery personality and animated touchline antics. He also managed the Mexican national team during the 2014 World Cup.
Jorge Vieira
Jorge Vieira was the first foreign manager in Club America’s history. He managed the team during the 1970s and won two league titles with them. Vieira is remembered for his innovative tactics and his ability to bring out the best in his players. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in Club America’s history.
Leonardo Cuellar
Leonardo Cuellar is a former Mexican international who managed the Club America women’s team for several years. He led the team to four league titles and a CONCACAF Women’s Championship. Cuellar is known for his tactical acumen and his ability to develop young players. He is considered one of the most successful managers in the history of women’s football in Mexico.
Overall, Club America has had a long and storied history, with many iconic managers leading the team to success over the years. These three individuals stand out as some of the most notable and influential in the club’s history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the legendary players that have played in Club América’s history?
Club América has had several legendary players throughout its history. Some of the most notable players include Luis Roberto Alves “Zague”, who is the club’s all-time leading scorer, and Enrique Borja, who scored the winning goal in the 1970 Mexican Primera División final. Other notable players include Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Claudio López, and Pavel Pardo.
Which player holds the record for the most goals scored in Club América?
Luis Roberto Alves “Zague” holds the record for the most goals scored in Club América’s history. He scored a total of 207 goals in 417 appearances for the club. Zague is considered one of the greatest Mexican footballers of all time and is widely regarded as a Club América legend.
What significant achievements has Club América accomplished?
Club América has accomplished several significant achievements throughout its history. The club has won a record 13 Liga MX titles, tied with Guadalajara for the most in Mexican football history. Club América has also won six Copa México titles and seven Campeón de Campeones titles. Additionally, the club has won numerous international titles, including the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, the CONCACAF Champions League, and the Copa Interamericana.
Who is considered Club América’s most iconic player?
Luis Roberto Alves “Zague” is considered Club América’s most iconic player. He spent the majority of his career with the club and is the all-time leading scorer in Club América’s history. Zague won several titles with Club América and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Mexican footballers of all time.
Which teams are considered the biggest rivals of Club América?
Club América has several rivalries, but the two biggest are with Chivas de Guadalajara and Cruz Azul. The rivalry with Chivas de Guadalajara is known as the Clásico Nacional, while the rivalry with Cruz Azul is known as the Clásico Joven. These matches are highly anticipated and are among the most watched and attended matches in Mexican football.
How many championships has Club América won throughout its history?
Club América has won a total of 13 Liga MX titles, six Copa México titles, and seven Campeón de Campeones titles. The club has also won numerous international titles, including the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, the CONCACAF Champions League, and the Copa Interamericana. Club América is one of the most successful clubs in Mexican football history and has a rich history of winning titles.
