Two and a half years that changed Chivas’s place in Liga MX history
In no time at all, Chivas Guadalajara have slipped well behind América in the all-time ranking of Liga MX title winners.
Toluca’s recent championship win in the Apertura 2025 has reshuffled the Liga MX record books. Los Diablos Rojos have now drawn level with Chivas Guadalajara as the second‑most decorated team in the Mexican league, trailing only Club América. But just a couple of years ago, the story could have unfolded very differently.
Chivas miss chance to equal América haul
In the Clausura 2023 final between Chivas and Tigres, Guadalajara held a 2-0 aggregate lead in the 63rd minute of the second leg. One minute later, the referee awarded a penalty to Tigres, and André‑Pierre Gignac buried it. That sparked an epic comeback that ultimately crowned Los Felinos champions - leaving Chivas stuck on 12 titles.
In the following Liga MX tournament - the Apertura 2023 - América began a golden stretch that would become one of the most successful eras in club history: the start of their three‑peat. First they topped Tigres, then Cruz Azul, and finally Monterrey.
Had Chivas won the Clausura 2023, they would have drawn level with América as Liga MX’s most successful team. But by the end of the Apertura 2024, Las Águilas had opened up a four‑title lead over their eternal rivals.
Liga MX title winners - all-time podium:
- Club América: 16
- Chivas, Toluca: 12
- Cruz Azul: 9
To make matters worse...
Since their last championship win, in the Clausura 2017, Chivas have also watched their city rivals, Atlas, lift the Liga MX title in the Apertura 2021 and the Clausura 2022. Amid institutional turmoil, meanwhile, Los Rojiblancos have managed no better than 2023’s unsuccessful appearance in the Clausura final.
From Atlas’ back‑to‑back titles, to América’s hat-trick of championships, to the departures of key figures like Veljko Paunović, Fernando Hierro, and Fernando Gago - Guadalajara have been left searching for stability. Time will tell whether 2026 brings a more forgiving chapter for El Rebaño Sagrado.
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