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2026 Liga MX Ballon d’Or Awards: Complete Winners List

The finest players and teams from Mexico’s premier soccer league were celebrated at the 2026 Liga MX Ballon d’Or ceremony. This event highlights achievements over the full calendar year, covering both the Apertura 2025 and Clausura 2026 seasons.

Toluca, champions of the Apertura 2025, led the awards haul with three trophies. Interestingly, Chivas also claimed three awards despite not reaching the finals in either tournament. Meanwhile, Atlético San Luis earned three awards through the standout efforts of a single player.

Cruz Azul, who won the Clausura 2026 title, secured two awards including the most prestigious team honor. Winners are chosen by votes from fans as well as captains and managers of all 18 Liga MX clubs.

2026 Liga MX Ballon d’Or Full 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)

Best Team: Cruz Azul

After years of near misses, Cruz Azul finally clinched their tenth Liga MX championship last May, joining an elite group of clubs with double-digit league titles. Known as La Máquina, they consistently ranked among the top in regular season points for the last two years and lifted the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup as well.

Manager Joel Huiqui took charge just before the Clausura 2026 playoffs, replacing Nicolás Larcamón. Huiqui remains undefeated in his first ten games and guided Cruz Azul to a 2–1 aggregate victory over Pumas in the final. Their steady performance throughout the season made them deserving winners of the Team of the Year award.

Best Manager: Antonio Mohamed (Toluca)

Antonio Mohamed steered Toluca to back-to-back Liga MX championships, becoming one of only seven managers to win five or more league titles. He has achieved this feat with four different teams, a rare accomplishment in league history.

Mohamed’s tactical approach focused on continental success during early 2026, which saw Toluca bow out in the Clausura quarterfinals but capture the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. His pragmatic style solidifies his status among Liga MX’s coaching greats.

Rookie of the Year: Brian Gutiérrez (Chivas)

Arriving from MLS’s Chicago Fire, 22-year-old Brian Gutiérrez quickly became a key player for Chivas. He earned a starting spot for Mexico in the 2026 World Cup opener against South Africa just six months after joining the league.

Under manager Gabriel Milito, Gutiérrez helped Chivas remain competitive in Clausura 2026 until many players left for World Cup duty. His promising debut season suggests much more growth ahead.

Best Goalkeeper: Nahuel Guzmán (Tigres)

Approaching 40, Nahuel Guzmán remains a commanding presence for Tigres. His experience and leadership were vital in Tigres reaching the Apertura 2025 final. As teammates from the club’s golden era have departed, Guzmán stands as the last veteran anchor in goal.

Best Center Back: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul)

Although naturally a midfielder, 26-year-old Erik Lira has excelled as a sweeper in Cruz Azul’s three-center back system. His relentless work rate, ball control, and leadership helped lead the team to the Clausura 2026 title, even as he missed the playoffs due to World Cup commitments.

Lira’s performances attracted European interest, and a transfer is expected before the summer window closes.

Best Fullback: Bryan González (Chivas)

Bryan González emerged as the league’s top fullback thanks to his stamina, crossing ability, and solid defense. Though teammate Richard Ledezma is flashier, González’s consistency on the left flank stood out during the 2025–26 season. Despite a strong Club World Cup showing and his form at Chivas, he was surprisingly left off Mexico’s World Cup roster.

Best Defensive Midfielder: Marcel Ruiz (Toluca)

Marcel Ruiz was pivotal in Toluca’s consecutive league titles. His dynamic play influenced every part of the game. Unfortunately, a partial ACL tear in March sidelined him from Mexico’s World Cup squad, though he played through pain to help Toluca win the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup before undergoing surgery.

Best Attacking Midfielder: Nicolás Castro (Toluca)

New signing Nicolás Castro added creativity and finesse to Toluca’s attack. The Argentine playmaker’s vision and skill helped unlock defenses despite not matching his teammates' goal numbers. At 25, he still has room to grow into an even greater influence on the field.

Most Valuable Player: João Pedro (Atlético San Luis)

Mid-table Atlético San Luis star João Pedro took home the MVP award after scoring 26 goals across 38 appearances, leading both Apertura and Clausura in goals. The 34-year-old Italian joined from Hull City and quickly became an unstoppable scorer, resisting transfer offers mid-season.

Alongside MVP, Pedro earned Best Striker and Best Goalscorer honors. Sadly, an ACL injury will keep him out for a long period, but San Luis hopes to see their talisman return in 2027 to continue his impressive run.

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