Cuauhtémoc Blanco

The eagle who descended from Tepito to become a legend.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo (born 17 January 1973) is a Mexican politician and former professional footballer serving as a member of the Chamber of Deputies. He served as the Governor of Morelos from 2018 to 2024 under the coalition Juntos Haremos Historia, and as the mayor of Cuernavaca, Morelos.

Quick Facts

Office

Member of the Chamber of Deputies

Took office

31 August 2024

Born

17 January 1973

Birthplace

Mexico City, Mexico

Birth name

Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo

Party

MORENA (since 2022)

Other party

Social Democratic Party (2015–2016)
Independent (2016–2017)
Social Encounter Party (2017–2022)

Children

Lore & Background

Blanco is considered one of the greatest Mexican and North American footballers of all time. He is an idol to Club América supporters and an important figure in the club's history, having made 333 appearances and scored 135 goals for the team. He is the only Mexican to have won Confederations Cup awards, being awarded the Silver Ball and Silver Boot at the 1999 Confederations Cup, until Oswaldo Sánchez's Golden Glove award in 2005. He became the first Mexican to score at three World Cup tournaments, a feat later equalled by Rafael Márquez and Javier Hernández.

Reader's Guide

Blanco played most of his career as a deep-lying forward and his last years as an attacking midfielder. He started his career with América in 1992, with loan stints at Necaxa, Real Valladolid, and Veracruz. He joined Chicago Fire in 2007, with a loan to Santos Laguna for the 2008 Apertura. He later played for Veracruz again, Irapuato, Dorados, Lobos BUAP, and Puebla, retiring with Puebla in 2015. He came out of retirement in 2016 to officially end his career with América.

Did You Know?

Blanco was named after the last Aztec emperor Cuauhtémoc, meaning 'one who has descended like an eagle'.
He scored his final goal during the championship final against Pachuca in 2007.

The Club América Icon

Blanco made his debut with América in 1992 at age 19. He recorded 333 appearances and 135 goals for the team. In the Winter 1998 season, he won his first Golden Boot with 16 goals. In May 2005, he led Club América to its tenth league title by defeating U.A.G. 7–4 on aggregate. He was awarded the MVP award in three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007.

Global Adventures and MLS Impact

In 2007, Blanco joined Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. He earned $2.7 million a year, making him the second-highest paid player after David Beckham. He won the Goal of the Year award in 2007 for a goal against Real Salt Lake and was a finalist for MVP and Newcomer of the Year. On July 24, 2008, he won the MVP award in the MLS All-Stars Game against West Ham United with one assist and one goal.

A Long Road to Retirement

After leaving Chicago Fire, Blanco joined Veracruz in January 2010, then Irapuato, where they won the 2011 Clausura. He later played for Dorados de Sinaloa, winning the Copa MX in Apertura 2012. After being released by Lobos BUAP, he signed with Puebla for one last season. On April 21, 2015, he came off the bench as Puebla won the Copa MX final against Guadalajara.