Alexis Vega, a hero for Toluca, made his second appearance and once again shone brightly, leading the team to become Liga MX champions. In an exhilarating penalty shootout that extended beyond a dozen rounds, Vega propelled Toluca to victory over Tigres, marking his twelfth Liga MX championship.
Even before he took the field, debates had already ignited across Mexico. Among the teams that collectively lost three games during the regular season, which could truly be considered a big team?
In Mexican soccer, four historic grandes have consistently been the most successful and widely supported. Mexico City boasts three of these teams: Club America, Cruz Azul, and Pumas, while Chivas de Guadalajara is equally prominent. However, Toluca’s second consecutive victory in the country’s short tournament format has now placed them in a tie with Chivas for second place in all-time league titles, surpassing Cruz Azul and Pumas.
If Tigres had captured their ninth Liga MX trophy, they too might have faced the label of a “small club,” especially since they seemed poised for victory for most of the match. Nevertheless, few outsiders would dismiss Tigres or their city rivals, CF Monterrey, as anything less than big teams.
Tigres bolstered their title aspirations this summer by acquiring Ángel Correa from Atlético Madrid, joining the ranks of Andre-Pierre Gignac. Since the Apertura in 2011, Tigres has claimed six league titles and reached the finals four times, including this season, while also winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2020.
Meanwhile, Monterrey has entered the Club World Cup this summer featuring legends like Sergio Ramos and recently added former Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, alongside rising Mexican stars such as center-back Victor Guzmán and midfielders Fidel Ambriz and Iker Fimbres.
Despite the comments praising the Nuevo León team, local critics don’t even label them as “nouveau riche”; instead, they mock them as being insignificant.
So, who really decides who is considered Grande? Typically, it falls to influential media commentators based in Mexico City, who often overlook teams from farther north, including Toluca, which is viewed more as a local team rather than a contender.
It’s time for a shift in perception.
Toluca has assembled a squad with minimal weaknesses. A recovering Vega returned for a late appearance in Game 2 of the Finals after a hamstring injury sidelined him for over a month. After the match, he remarked that he didn’t feel his best physically but believed hastily returning helped prevent a worse setback.
Despite past struggles at Chivas, Vega remained confident in his decision to take the risk, driven by a genuine desire to help the team achieve back-to-back titles. “This was a significant day for me, my family, and the loyal fans,” he expressed.
Even in the absence of a key playmaker, other players have emerged to fill the gap. Top scorer Paulinho, who joined from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2024, has thrived alongside Mexican midfielder Jesús Angulo and Brazilian winger Erinho, looking to return to Portugal’s national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Marcel Ruiz, a valuable two-way midfielder, opted to stay with Toluca despite interest from clubs in the English Championship and Brazil’s top division. Uruguayan defender Federico Pereira has anchored the defense as the Red Devils continue striving for future success.
Meanwhile, their accomplished manager Antonio Mohamed celebrated his fifth Liga MX title—his first with the same club—having previously won with Club America and claimed Tijuana’s first Liga MX title in 2012.
“For now, we want to celebrate. Afterwards, we’ll focus on assembling our team and gearing up for the future. We’re in the midst of end-of-year festivities, and tomorrow we’ll celebrate with the fans before taking a well-deserved break,” Mohamed said as he exited the Estadio Nemesio Diez. “I’m extremely happy. This is Grande.”
Although media commentators might continue to overlook Toluca’s achievements, and rival fans might persist in teasing them with “too small” emojis, Toluca will be busy organizing yet another parade and enjoying their latest title celebration. After Vega mentioned plans to celebrate for five or six days, they’ll also be looking forward to another title defense and the pursuit of more trophies, reaffirming that their on-field performance matters regardless of market size.
Fan Take: This news matters to soccer fans as it highlights the evolving landscape of Liga MX, where traditional power dynamics are being challenged. Toluca’s triumph not only underscores their resilience but also emphasizes that success in soccer transcends geographical biases, paving the way for a more competitive future in the sport.
