2026 Liga MX Ballon d’Or Awards: Complete List of Winners
Mexico’s premier soccer league celebrated the standout performers of the 2025–26 season at its annual Ballon d’Or gala. The awards honored players, coaches, and teams who excelled across both the Apertura 2025 and Clausura 2026 tournaments.
Apertura champions Toluca led with three awards, matched by Chivas despite not reaching either final. Meanwhile, Atlético San Luis also earned three accolades thanks to a single remarkable player. Clausura 2026 winners Cruz Azul took home two awards but secured the most prestigious team honor.
The winners were chosen through combined votes from fans, club captains, and managers across all 18 Liga MX teams.
Full List of 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: João Pedro (Atlético San Luis)
Team of the Year: Cruz Azul
Cruz Azul finally captured their 10th league title in May 2026, becoming only the fourth Mexican club to reach double digits. After consistent semifinal appearances over five seasons and winning the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, their league triumph was long awaited.
Manager Joel Huiqui took charge after Nicolás Larcamón was dismissed just before the playoffs. Huiqui remains unbeaten in his first 10 matches, leading the team to a 2–1 aggregate victory over Pumas in the Clausura final. Their steady performance throughout the year made them the obvious choice for Best Team.
Antonio Mohamed: Manager of the Year
Antonio Mohamed guided Toluca to back-to-back Liga MX titles, joining an elite group of seven coaches with five or more league championships. Achieving this with four different clubs sets him apart in league history.
Mohamed’s pragmatic approach prioritized international success early in 2026, resulting in Toluca’s 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup win despite an earlier domestic exit. His tactical skill is widely respected across Liga MX.
Standout Players
- Rookie of the Year: Brian Gutiérrez quickly became indispensable for Chivas after moving from MLS, making his Mexico World Cup debut within six months.
- Best Goalkeeper: At nearly 40, Nahuel Guzmán remains a key figure for Tigres, leading the team to the Apertura 2025 final with his experience and leadership.
- Best Center Back:Erik Lira excelled as a versatile defensive leader for Cruz Azul, operating both as a center back and midfielder before moving toward a European transfer.
- Best Fullback:Bryan González proved to be a relentless force on Chivas’ left side, contributing significantly with goals and assists throughout the season.
- Best Defensive Midfielder: Despite a knee injury, Marcel Ruiz was vital in Toluca’s consecutive titles and continental success.
- Best Attacking Midfielder:Nicolás Castro added creativity and vision to Toluca’s attack, shining as a classic South American playmaker.
Most Valuable Player: João Pedro
João Pedro was the undeniable star of the season with Atlético San Luis. The Italian striker scored 26 goals in 38 games, topping the charts for both Apertura and Clausura.
Joining as a free agent from Hull City, Pedro quickly became unstoppable despite his team finishing mid-table. He also won Best Striker and Best Goalscorer honors. Sadly, an ACL injury will keep him out for much of the coming year, though hopes remain high for his return in 2027.
