La Máquina

Lore & Background

The nickname 'La Máquina' was embraced by Cruz Azul during its golden era in the 1960s and 1970s, when the club won multiple league titles and became known for its disciplined, attacking football. The term evokes the team's mechanical efficiency and unity on the pitch, a hallmark of Cruz Azul's identity in Mexican football. Key figures from that period include legendary players such as Carlos Jara Saguier, who helped forge the club's winning tradition, alongside later stars like Miguel Marín and Horacio López Salgado, who joined the club in 1971.

Reader's Guide

The team won a total of 10 titles, including four Primera División (1941, 1942, 1945, 1947) and three Copa Aldao (1941, 1945, 1947), among other titles. From 1943 to 1946 the team achieved two championships and finished as runner-up twice. The first time they played together was on June 28, 1942, in Estadio Monumental v. Platense, winning 1-0.

Did You Know?

• The team's iconic blue kit and home at Estadio Azteca have become synonymous with the 'La Máquina' identity, inspiring generations of fans.
• Cruz Azul's 'La Máquina' is celebrated for its teamwork and resilience, not for any single player, but for the collective spirit that made the club a powerhouse in Mexican football.