Mexican celebrations are fast approaching with the Independence Day festivities around the corner, but that also brings us to the biggest spectacle in the Liga MX calendar as Club América and Chivas prepare to go face-to-face.
Two of Mexico’s most successful clubs, hailing from two of the nation’s largest cities, this fixture has developed into one of the fiercest rivalries in world football. To align with the traditional holiday, organisers schedule this clash for the same weekend every year, adding even more intensity to a weekend already rich with tradition.
The sides met each other for the first time in the 1920s, but developed this disdain that we all know today back in the 1950s. At that time, Chivas picked up the first of its 12 Liga MX titles, starting a hot streak which would result in the club being crowned champions in six out of the next seven seasons.
Chivas' dominance at the end of the 50's and early 60's demanded respect, but it drew envy from Club América, a side that had never won a league title at that point, winning their first in 1965.
Fast forward to today, and Las Águilas are Mexico's most successful football club. Lifting 16 Liga MX titles, they've recently come off a purple patch of their own, winning three straight championships, with the 2023 & 2024 Liga MX Apertura, whilst also taking home the 2024 Liga MX Clausura.
As América have enjoyed a memorable couple of years, Chivas have sat in the shadows, watching on in the dark, having gone eight years without domestic silverware. To make matters worse, Los Rojiblancos failed to make the most recent playoffs, suffering from managerial merry-go-rounds and a lack of consistency on the pitch.
Saturday 14 September 2025: El Clásico Nacional
This Saturday will mark the 262nd meeting between Club América and Chivas. In the history of this fixture, América have won 99 times to Chivas' 80, with the sides being left unsatisfied on 82 occasions.
As a result of the recent history and the current form, it's André Jardine and his men from the capital that will be heavily tipped to secure all three points. Played in front of their own fans at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, many anticipate a similar outcome to their most recent encounter in March 2025, when América dominated with a 4-0 triumph in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
After the opening seven games of the season, América sit in 2nd, unbeaten, whilst Chivas are currently down in 16th, albeit having played a game less.
Despite Chivas' recent history, fans had high hopes this season with new signings like Efrían Juárez from Tijuana and Bryan González, a left-back from Pachuca. This season also marked a new managerial era as Gabriel Milito joined the club, having won the Campeonato Mineiro with Atlético Mineiro in 2024. However, their start to the season, one win from six, has raised serious concerns as the outcome this weekend could have major implications for the status of Milito's position.
Club América vs Chivas: Team News
André Jardine has an entire squad to choose from ahead of the Clásico, with the only doubts for the game being striker Henry Martín and Santiago Naveda, who hasn't featured for the side since February.
As for Chivas, Omar Govea has been sidelined since matchday two with a hamstring issue and is set to remain on the sidelines, whilst Alan Pulido, Daniel Aguirre, José Castillo and Leonardo Sepúlveda are all doubts for the game, with the latter out with an ankle injury.
Both sides will be bringing names to the table, but none more so than América's latest signing, Allan Saint-Maximim. The former Newcastle United and OGC Nice winger has hit the ground running since arriving in Mexico, scoring on his debut against Atlas before sealing maximum points in a 2-0 win over Querétaro.
Jardine has kept quiet over his plans with the former Premier League winger, but he's likely to play an important role as Las Águilas aim for a record 100th win in the Clásico Nacional.
Who do you think will win the 262nd edition of Mexico's Clásico Nacional? Let us know!