Clásico de la Verdad
The most successful club in Mexican football history.
Club de Fútbol América S.A. de C.V., commonly known as Club América, and nicknamed Las Águilas (The Eagles), is a Mexican professional football club based in Mexico City. The club competes in Liga MX, the top division of Mexican football. The club was founded in 1916, and since 1959, it has been owned by mass media company Televisa. The team plays its home games at Estadio Azteca, the largest stadium in Latin America and one of the largest in the world.
Quick Facts
- Opponent
- Club América
- Nickname
- El Clásico Joven
- First meeting era
- 1960s
- Significance
- National and Ideological Rivalry
- Primary stadium host
- Estadio Azul (Historic); Estadio Azteca (Shared)
- Rivalry status
- Active since inception
Lore & Background
América is one of the founding members of the Primera División. The club has a long-standing rivalry with Guadalajara, as both are the most successful and most supported teams in the country and are among the seven clubs to have never been relegated. Matches between them are known as El Súper Clásico. América also plays derbies against Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM. Together the clubs make up the 'Big Four' of Mexican football. In 2024, it became the first football club to be floated on the Mexican Stock Exchange.
Reader's Guide
Club América has won more titles than any other team in Mexican football. Domestically, the club has won a record sixteen league titles, a record six Copa México titles, and a joint-record seven Campeón de Campeones cups. In international competitions, América has won ten FIFA recognized club trophies, the most for a club from CONCACAF, with a joint-record seven CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League titles, one CONCACAF Giants Cup, and two Copa Interamericanas.
The club also holds numerous distinctions, including topping the all-time league table in victories, points, and goals scored, most appearances in the liguilla (playoffs) stage, the most playoff final appearances (22) and second-most runner-up finishes, after Cruz Azul. It is one of five clubs to win back-to-back league titles since the introduction of the short tournament format, the only team to achieve a three-peat under the format, and the only one to reach four finals in a row.
Did You Know?
- Club América was founded on 12 October 1916.
- The club's name 'América' was suggested by Pedro 'Cheto' Quintanilla because the team was formed on Columbus Day.
- In 1926, América became the first Mexican club to play outside of Mexico.
- América is valued at US$770 million as of May 2025, making it one of the most valuable clubs in North America.
- In 2021, América was named by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics as the best North American club of the first decade (2001–2011) of the 21st century.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Clásico de la Verdad?
This term refers to the intense football rivalry between Cruz Azul and Club América, known as 'The Classic of Truth.' It represents a clash not just on the pitch but also in ideologies, pitting the blue workers' team against the wealthy corporate-backed Americanos.
Why is this derby called 'Clásico de la Verdad'?
The nickname highlights how the match reveals deeper social truths about Mexico City by contrasting the humble origins of Cruz Azul with the elite status of Club América. It transcends simple sports competition to reflect significant cultural and economic divisions within the nation.
When did this rivalry first begin?
The historic feud dates back to the 1960s when both clubs were established as major forces in Mexican football. Since its inception, the matchup has remained active and is widely considered one of the most significant derbies in the country's history.
Where are these matches traditionally played?
Historically, Cruz Azul hosted games at their own Estadio Azul, while many high-stakes encounters have also taken place at the shared neutral ground of the Estadio Azteca. The venue often depends on league scheduling and stadium availability for this national fixture.
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