You either love them or you want to see them lose more than anything else in the world. There is no middle ground with soccer team Club América. If you walk through the streets of Mexico City, you’ll see the yellow jerseys everywhere, but you’ll also hear the phrase "Odiame Más"—Hate me more—coming from the fans themselves. They embrace the villain role. It’s part of the DNA.
Most teams want to be liked. América? They want to win.
Honestly, the sheer trophy count at the Estadio Azteca tells you why they can afford to be arrogant. With 15 league titles after their recent Bicampeonato success, they've pulled ahead of Chivas de Guadalajara in the race for historical supremacy. But it isn't just about the numbers. It’s about the money, the television power of Televisa, and a century-long history of buying the best talent in the Americas.
The "Millionaire" Identity of Soccer Team Club América
Back in 1959, Emilio Azcárraga Milmo bought the club and basically changed Mexican football forever. Before then, América was struggling. He decided to turn them into the "rich kids" of the league to contrast with the "people's team," Chivas. He wanted to sign the biggest names, regardless of the cost.
It worked.
The nickname Las Águilas (The Eagles) didn't even come around until the 80s. Before that, people called them Los Millonetas. That "big spender" reputation stuck. Even today, when people look at the roster, they expect international superstars. Think back to the days of Carlos Reinoso, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, or more recently, the impact of players like Álvaro Fidalgo or Henry Martín.
Winning isn't a goal there. It’s a minimum requirement. If a coach doesn't win the Liguilla, he's probably gone by Monday morning. The pressure is insane.
What People Get Wrong About the Televisa Connection
You’ll hear rival fans scream that the referees favor América because they are owned by the biggest media company in the country. It’s the ultimate conspiracy theory in Liga MX. While it’s true that the visibility and financial backing of Televisa give them a massive advantage in scouting and marketing, the "buying refs" narrative is mostly just salt from losing teams.
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Actually, if you look at the VAR era, the numbers don't really support a massive bias. But in football, perception is reality. Because the club is so public about its power, every 50/50 call that goes their way becomes national news.
The Estadio Azteca: A Fortress and a Burden
Playing for soccer team Club América means calling the Estadio Azteca home. It's legendary. 100,000 seats. Two World Cup finals. Pelé and Maradona both lifted trophies there.
But it’s a weird place to play these days.
With the 2026 World Cup renovations, the team has had to move around, which feels fundamentally wrong. The altitude of Mexico City—over 7,000 feet—plus the smog and the sheer intimidation of the "Coloso de Santa Úrsula" is their biggest weapon. When that stadium is full for a Clásico Nacional against Chivas, the ground literally shakes.
The Youth Academy Nobody Talks About
Everyone focuses on the transfers. People talk about the millions spent on South American talent. But América’s Fuerzas Básicas (youth system) is actually world-class.
- Raúl Jiménez: Went from the Coapa academy to Atletico Madrid and then the Premier League.
- Edson Álvarez: Now a midfield anchor in the Premier League, he started right here.
- Diego Lainez: Though he struggled in Europe, he was a massive sale for the club.
They don't just buy stars; they build them and sell them for huge profits. It’s a business model that rivals like Cruz Azul or Pumas often struggle to replicate.
Why the Bicampeonato Changed the Conversation
For a few years, there was a feeling that the "Northern Giants"—Tigres and Monterrey—were taking over. They have the most money now. They sign the biggest names from Europe. People started wondering if América was losing its grip on the "biggest club" title.
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Then André Jardine showed up.
The Brazilian manager brought a tactical discipline that the team had lacked. Winning two titles in a row (Apertura 2023 and Clausura 2024) ended the debate. They didn't just win; they dominated. They showed that even when other teams have more "petrodollars" (or the Mexican equivalent), the weight of the América shirt still means something in the playoffs.
The Cuauhtémoc Blanco Legacy
You can't talk about this club without mentioning "Cuau." He is the soul of the fans. He wasn't the most disciplined player, and he certainly wasn't the "clean-cut" athlete brands usually love. He was a street fighter. He mocked goalkeepers. He did the "camel" dribble.
He represented the arrogance of the club perfectly. Even now, years after his retirement, every new attacking signing is compared to him. Most fail the comparison.
Modern Challenges: The Leagues Cup and Global Expansion
The landscape is shifting. Soccer team Club América is no longer just competing with Chivas or Cruz Azul. They are looking at Inter Miami and the growing power of MLS.
The Leagues Cup has been a bit of a wake-up call. While América usually handles MLS teams well, the travel and the different style of play have exposed some depth issues. The fans expect the club to be the "Kings of CONCACAF," but that crown is getting harder to keep.
And then there's the stock market.
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In a move that sounds like something out of a business textbook, the club (under the company Ollamani) went public on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV). You can actually buy shares in the team now. It’s the first Mexican team to do this. This means every loss doesn't just hurt the fans; it technically hurts the share price.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're trying to really understand this club or follow them closely, you have to look past the highlights.
Watch the "Double Pivot": Under Jardine, the way the defensive midfielders rotate is the key to their success. If Fidalgo is neutralized, the whole system often stalls.
Monitor the Transfer Windows: América rarely keeps a disgruntled star. If a player wants to go to Europe, the club usually facilitates it but ensures they have a replacement ready three weeks before the sale.
Don't Ignore the Women's Team: Club América Femenil is arguably doing more for the brand's global reach right now than the men's side. They are drawing record crowds at the Azteca and signing top-tier international talent like Sarah Luebbert and Kiana Palacios.
Understand the Liguilla: In Mexico, the regular season is just a warm-up. América is built for the "Liguilla" (playoffs). They know how to manage two-legged ties. Never bet against them in a knockout round, no matter how poorly they finished the season.
The reality of soccer team Club América is that they provide the friction that makes Mexican soccer interesting. Without a "villain" to root against, the league would be half as exciting. They know it. They love it. And they’ll probably keep winning just to keep the fire going.
To stay ahead of the curve on their current form, track the injury reports of their center-backs. That has historically been their Achilles' heel. If the defense is healthy, the "Eagles" are almost impossible to ground. Check the official Liga MX injury lists or follow validated beat reporters like Julio Ibáñez for the most accurate daily updates on the squad's fitness.