Key Takeaways
- Cruz Azul is targeting a Liga MX title defense and a historic bicampeonato in Apertura 2026 under head coach Joel Huiqui.
- The club kicked off its preseason with the signing of defender Juan José Calero from Venados FC (Liga de Expansión), who already debuted in a friendly draw against Atlético Morelia.
- Alan Montes, younger brother of Mexican international César Montes, is reportedly close to joining Cruz Azul as an independent transfer.
- Montes spent the last six months on loan at Turkish side Serikspor AS, starting 14 matches and scoring two goals.
- Prior to his European spell, he featured in MLS with Sporting Kansas City and had a Liga MX stint with Necaxa.
- A product of Cimarrones de Sonora’s youth academy, Montes also played for Raya2 and Spain’s Real Avilés, earning a reputation for physical strength and aerial prowess.
- His potential arrival would add defensive depth, competition for places, and another versatile centre‑back option for Huiqui’s squad heading into Apertura 2026.
Cruz Azul’s management has made it clear that reclaiming the Liga MX summit and securing a back‑to‑back championship in Apertura 2026 is the primary objective for the upcoming season. The cementeros entered the preseason period with a clear reinforcement strategy, beginning with the acquisition of Juan José Calero. Calero arrived from Venados FC, a club that competes in Liga de Expansión, the developmental tier of Mexican football. His integration was swift; he was named in the starting XI for a friendly encounter against Atlético Morelia, which ended in a draw. The match served as both a evaluation tool for the new signing and a chance for head coach Joel Huiqui to assess the squad’s cohesion ahead of the official campaign. Calero’s versatility—capable of playing as a centre‑back or a defensive midfielder—adds another layer to the team’s tactical flexibility, especially as Huiqui looks to balance defensive solidity with the ability to initiate attacks from the back.
The next piece of the puzzle that has generated considerable buzz is the potential arrival of Alan Montes. Montes, who shares a surname with the well‑known Mexican defender César Montes, is his younger brother and has been building his own reputation in various leagues across North America and Europe. Reports from reputable Mexican outlets indicate that Montes is “a una firma de convertirse en nuevo jugador de Cruz Azul,” suggesting that personal terms have been agreed upon and only the official contract remains to be signed. Notably, this negotiation is described as independent of the club’s purported interest in securing the services of César Montes himself, who currently plies his trade with Lokomotiv Moscow in the Russian Premier League. This distinction underscores Cruz Azul’s intent to bolster its defensive options without relying solely on the high‑profile pursuit of the elder Montes sibling.
Alan Montes’ most recent professional experience came via a six‑month loan to Serikspor AS in the Turkish Süper Lig’s SuperLiga (commonly referred to as the Superliga de Turquía). During this spell, he was a fixture in the starting lineup, appearing in all 14 league matches the club contested and contributing two goals. His performances showcased an ability to adapt to a physically demanding league while maintaining defensive discipline. Before heading to Turkey, Montes had a stint in Major League Soccer with Sporting Kansas City, where he gained exposure to the high‑tempo, transition‑heavy style prevalent in North American soccer. Earlier still, he enjoyed a Liga MX spell with Necaxa, featuring in several matches during the Clausura 2025 campaign, including a notable 2‑1 victory over Xolos de Tijuana on April 4. Although he subsequently fell out of favor under Fernando Gago’s tactical setup and spent time on the bench, the accumulated experience—59 league appearances, four goals, and one assist—demonstrates his capability to contribute at the top level domestically.
Montes’ footballing roots trace back to the youth system of Cimarrones de Sonora, where he first honed his defensive instincts. After outgrowing the academy setup, he moved through the lower tiers of Necaxa, spent time with the Raya2 affiliate, and even had a brief spell with Spain’s Real Avilés, competing in the country’s regional divisions. These experiences helped shape a player known for his imposing physical presence, strong aerial ability, and comfort in one‑on‑one defending. His style aligns well with the traditional Mexican centre‑back profile that values strength, positioning, and the capacity to win duels both on the ground and in the air—attributes that could prove valuable as Cruz Azul looks to compete on multiple fronts, including potential continental tournaments.
Should the transfer be finalized, Montes would join a defensive corps that already includes experienced internationals and promising youth prospects. His arrival would increase competition for starting places, pushing incumbents to maintain high levels of performance while offering Huiqui additional tactical options—such as deploying a three‑centre‑back formation or rotating players to manage fatigue across a congested fixture list. Moreover, Montes’ familiarity with both MLS and Liga MX could ease his adaptation to the Liga MX environment, reducing the typical adjustment period for foreign signings. From a strategic standpoint, securing a player with his blend of physicality, aerial threat, and emerging experience fits the club’s aim to construct a squad capable of sustaining a title challenge and pushing for that elusive bicampeonato. As the Apertura 2026 campaign approaches, all eyes will be on how these new additions integrate with the existing roster and whether they can help Cruz Azul reclaim its place at the pinnacle of Mexican football.
