2026 Liga MX Ballon d’Or: Complete Winners List

The top talents of Mexico’s premier soccer league were celebrated at the 2026 Liga MX Ballon d’Or Awards, recognizing standout performances from both the Apertura 2025 and Clausura 2026 seasons.

Toluca, champions of Apertura 2025, led the honors with three awards. Chivas players also secured three awards despite not reaching the finals in either tournament. Atlético San Luis earned three awards as well, all thanks to one player. Cruz Azul, winners of Clausura 2026, took home two awards including the most prestigious team accolade.

Winners were chosen through a mix of fan votes along with input from all 18 club captains and managers.

Best Team: Cruz Azul

After several close attempts, Cruz Azul finally claimed their 10th Liga MX title in May, becoming just the fourth Mexican team to reach double-digit league championships. La Máquina have been consistently strong, finishing at least in the semifinals over the past five seasons and winning the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. Joel Huiqui, stepping in as manager shortly before the Clausura 2026 playoffs, remained unbeaten in his first 10 games and guided Cruz Azul to a 2–1 aggregate victory over Pumas in the final. Their consistency made them deserving recipients of the Team of the Year award.

Best Manager: Antonio Mohamed (Toluca)

Antonio Mohamed steered Toluca to consecutive Liga MX titles with the Apertura 2025 win, joining an elite group of seven managers who have claimed five or more league titles. Remarkably, he has achieved this feat with four different clubs, a rarity in league history. Instead of chasing a third straight league trophy, Mohamed prioritized continental success in early 2026, leading Toluca to victory in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup despite a quarterfinal exit in Clausura 2026. Known for his pragmatic tactics, Mohamed remains one of Liga MX’s finest managers.

Rookie of the Year: Brian Gutiérrez (Chivas)

When Brian Gutiérrez joined Chivas from MLS’s Chicago Fire, few expected the impact he’d have. The 22-year-old quickly established himself, earning a start for Mexico in their 2026 World Cup opener against South Africa. Under Gabriel Milito’s guidance, Gutiérrez played a key role as Chivas looked strong during Clausura 2026, even though the national team’s World Cup preparations disrupted their playoff hopes. His debut season in Liga MX was impressive, and there’s room for much more growth.

Best Goalkeeper: Nahuel Guzmán (Tigres)

Nearly 40 and still going strong, Nahuel Guzmán played a crucial part in Tigres reaching the Apertura 2025 final. As veterans like André-Pierre Gignac, Javier Aquino, and Guido Pizarro moved on, Guzmán remains the last pillar of Tigres’ golden era. His leadership, experience, and sharp reflexes have yet to wane, marking him as one of Liga MX’s greatest goalkeepers.

Best Center Back: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul)

Though naturally a midfielder, Erik Lira has thrived as a central defender in Cruz Azul’s three-center back formation, often sweeping and stepping into midfield when in possession. At 26, his tireless work rate and ball skills stand out, and his leadership was vital in captaining Cruz Azul to the Clausura 2026 championship, despite missing playoffs due to World Cup duties. His performance at the World Cup suggests a move to Europe is imminent; he’s proven all he can in Mexican football.

Best Fullback: Bryan González (Chivas)

Bryan González may not grab headlines like teammate Richard Ledezma, but he earned the league’s top fullback award through consistent, powerful play. Nicknamed “El Cotorro,” González dominates down Chivas’ left wing with relentless energy, dangerous crosses, and timely runs into the box. After shining at the 2025 Club World Cup with Pachuca, he became indispensable under Milito, contributing 11 goals and assists across 40 matches in 2025–26. Surprisingly, he was overlooked for Mexico’s World Cup squad.

Best Defensive Midfielder: Marcel Ruiz (Toluca)

Marcel Ruiz was fundamental to Toluca’s back-to-back league titles in Apertura 2025. A dynamic presence in midfield, Ruiz influenced every aspect of Toluca’s play. He was arguably the league’s best midfielder during much of 2025 and early 2026. Although an ACL injury in March kept him out of Mexico’s World Cup roster, Ruiz continued playing through pain, helping Toluca secure the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Post-surgery, he is expected to miss the remainder of the year.

Best Attacking Midfielder: Nicolás Castro (Toluca)

Signing Nicolás Castro last summer gave Toluca a creative spark. The Argentine playmaker brought flair and intelligence to the No. 10 role, orchestrating attacks with clever passing, tight dribbling, and ambidextrous shooting. While his stats didn’t match some teammates, Toluca’s offense thrived when Castro was on the field. At 25, he could evolve into an even more influential figure.

Most Valuable Player: João Pedro (Atlético San Luis)

João Pedro from Atlético San Luis was named the 2025–26 Liga MX MVP. Despite playing for a mid-table club, Pedro scored an impressive 26 goals in 38 appearances, topping scoring charts in both Apertura and Clausura tournaments. The 34-year-old Italian, who joined from Hull City as a free agent, became unstoppable quickly. Teams courted him in winter, but he stayed and improved his tally to 14 goals in the latter half of the season. Pedro also won Best Striker and Top Scorer awards. Unfortunately, an ACL tear in June sidelines him indefinitely, though Atlético San Luis hopes for his return in 2027.

Summary of Award Winners

• Best Team: Cruz Azul
• Best Manager: Antonio Mohamed (Toluca)
• Rookie of the Year: Brian Gutiérrez (Chivas)
• Best Goalkeeper: Nahuel Guzmán (Tigres)
• Best Center Back: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul)
• Best Fullback: Bryan González (Chivas)
• Best Defensive Midfielder: Marcel Ruiz (Toluca)
• Best Attacking Midfielder: Nicolás Castro (Toluca)
• Most Valuable Player, Best Striker, Top Scorer: João Pedro (Atlético San Luis)