The Liga MX Clausura 2025 season is off to a thrilling start, marked by significant player movements and the looming economic realities faced by teams across the league. One of the most notable headlines from the season came from Club León's recent match at the Nou Camp against FC Juárez, where Colombian superstar James Rodríguez made his much-anticipated debut with the team.
Fans packed the stadium as Rodríguez took the spotlight, and he did not disappoint. Just five minutes after the second half commenced, he found the back of the net from the penalty spot, scoring his first goal for León and sealing the game with a 1-0 lead. According to reports, Leon's coach Eduardo Berizzo trusted Rodríguez with the precious opportunity after the referee, Mario Terrazas Chávez, awarded the penalty following some controversy over the foul. Rodríguez executed the penalty with confidence, sending the ball past Juárez's goalkeeper, Sebastián Jurado, with a powerful left-footed strike. This moment marked not just another goal but the beginning of what fans hope will be many more to come from the 33-year-old.”
Rodríguez, who had previously played for elite European clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, is eager to lead León to glory this season. His debut goal has put fans on notice, raising expectations for both Rodríguez and the club as they aim for success this year.
On the other side of the coin, Toluca’s season has started less auspiciously, leading to internal team adjustments. The Mexican club is reportedly seeking to finalize the exit of midfielder Claudio Baeza, whose contract expires later this year. The Chilean international has been included on the radar of Uruguayan club Peñarol, eager to strengthen their midfield, particularly after the departure of their key player, Damián García. "En las últimas horas apareció un fuerte interesado en contar con los servicios del mediocampista que supo representar a la Selección Mayor de su país," reported Fútbol A Primera Vista, highlighting the growing interest from Peñarol's coach, Diego Aguirre, who sees Baeza as the perfect fit for the team’s needs.
Negotiations are already underway, and it's believed Toluca would prefer to release Baeza without undergoing a permanent transfer, which would involve financial compensations instead. By doing so, Toluca aims to liberate its wage bill from Baeza's contract, which they feel is too high for the player’s current contributions to the team.
This proactive approach from the Toluca front office follows fans' rising discontent after the team’s recent performances, such as their unexpected loss to Mazatlán. Amid this turmoil, fans have expressed their demands for the club’s leadership to reshape the team, showing the passionate engagement of their supporters.
Meanwhile, the broader operational structure of Liga MX continues to create waves this season as well. Unique among major leagues globally, Liga MX has eliminated promotion and relegation since the pandemic began, which has raised questions about the competitive integrity of the league. This decision was motivated by the financial hardships faced by clubs during the COVID-19 crisis, resulting in the absence of relegation for five years. Now, teams no longer fear dropping down to the second tier, known as Liga Expansión MX, which houses 18 participants, mirroring the current format of the first division.
While the league's modified structure has lessened the immediate pressure on lower-performing teams, it has not completely absolved them of consequences. Current regulations impose hefty financial penalties on the lowest-ranked teams at the end of the season based on their standings. The team finishing 16th must pay 33 million pesos (approximately $1.83 million), the side ranking 17th owes 47 million pesos ($2.61 million), and the last-placed team faces significant fees of up to 80 million pesos (around $4.44 million). These revenues help support the Liga Expansión MX, helping to maintain the league's full operational integrity.
Despite the absence of relegation, teams such as Toluca must navigate through these financial obligations without compromising their performance. The strategic decisions and signings made during this transfer window will play pivotal roles as clubs position themselves for the season.
With excitement building for the Liga MX Clausura 2025, fans remain engaged, whether spotlighting individual players like Rodríguez or questioning organizational decisions by teams like Toluca. All eyes will be on these Mexican clubs as they attempt to provide thrilling football throughout the season, balancing ambitions, team dynamics, and economic realities.