Club de Fútbol Monterrey left out of Liga MX 2025-26 Ballon d'Or nominations
Liga MX announced today the nominations for the 2025-2026 Ballon d'Or, and for the first time in years, Club de Fútbol Monterrey will have no representatives in the main categories. The event, to be held in Los Angeles, California, starting at 5:00 PM today, will honor the best players, coaches, and rookies of the past season.
Despite a strong start to the current campaign -currently 4th in the league (3 points, 1W-0D-0L in 1 game, +1 goal difference) and just 3 points behind leaders Cruz Azul- the Rayados failed to place any player in the top categories. In contrast, Tigres dominate the nominations with Nahuel Guzmán, Fernando Gorriarán, and Ángel Correa (the latter now at River Plate).
Why no Rayados in the nominations?
While Club de Fútbol Monterrey has been a consistent team in recent years, its performance in the 2025-2026 season was not enough to stand out in the voting. The competition was fierce, with players from teams like Cruz Azul, América, and León receiving more recognition. Additionally, the absence of international-caliber players in the Rayados squad may have influenced the decision.
What does this mean for Rayados' future?
The exclusion from the Ballon d'Or does not define the present of Club de Fútbol Monterrey, which currently has 3 goals scored and 2 conceded in its first game of the season. However, the club will need to work to improve its visibility in future editions, especially if it aims to consolidate itself as one of the giants of Liga MX. The board has already begun evaluating reinforcements with higher-projection players.
Who are the favorites to win?
Among the main candidates are Nahuel Guzmán (Tigres), aiming for his third Ballon d'Or, and Fernando Gorriarán, key in the midfield of the felines. In the women's division, players from Monterrey Femenil also do not appear in the nominations, reflecting a challenging year for the club in both divisions.
