Flamengo's opponent, Cruz Azul is part of a million-dollar restructuring; look

O Flemish begins your journey in Copa Intercontinental in front of Blue Crossan opponent that represents the new financial power of Mexican football. The club invested R$308 million in reinforcements last season and is part of the economic restructuring movement that changed the level of the Mexican Championship. The quarter-final clash will be this Wednesday (10), at 2pm (Brasília time).

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Cruz Azul belongs to a large cement company and is one of the four most traditional clubs in Mexico, alongside America, Chivas and Pumas. With nine national titles, the team is part of a league made up mostly of teams linked to large private companies, which explains the volume of resources mobilized. In 2025, only Brazil and the United States surpassed Mexico in terms of values ​​traded on the international market.

Before the game against Flamengo, experts highlight the country's economic strength and the business profile of Liga MX. This scenario was detailed by Renato Martinez, vice-president of Roc Nation Sportswhen explaining how the financial structure has been consolidated in recent decades.

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— Football has always been the most popular sport in Mexico, and the country's economy has grown a lot in recent decades. Furthermore, many Mexicans became rich in the United States, generating a large audience there. Most of its large clubs are part of the properties of large companies, managed professionally for a long time, recognized worldwide as good paying clubs, which helps to convince athletes to move to the country.

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Mexican influence also extends to the United States. For years, MLS operated at a lower level than Liga MX. With the arrival of investments and the presence of stars like Messi and Suárez, football in the country reduces this gap, but Mexico remains the biggest champion of the Concacaf Champions League, with 40 titles – far from the six in Costa Rica and the three in the United States.

On the field, Cruz Azul arrives strengthened against Flamengo. Its squad is valued at 82.1 million euros (R$518.2 million)the second most valuable in the country, behind only América. Rubro-Negro, in turn, leads the comparison with 195.9 million euros (R$ 1.2 billion).

Cruz Azul's recent investment is reflected in its signings: three of the five most expensive transfers in the club's history occurred in the last two seasons, including defender Orozco, midfielder Paradela and striker Giakoumakis. The team is trying to repeat the feat of Pachuca, who defeated Botafogo in the 2024 Derby das Américas, and is aiming for international prominence against Flamengo.

Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup

Flamengo's first match at the World Cup will be in the Derby das Américas, when it brings together champions from Conmebol and Concacaf. Whoever advances will face the Pyramidsfrom Egypt, in the semi-final scheduled for Saturday (13). The final is scheduled for December 17th against PSGcurrent champion of Champions League.

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