Liga MX Apertura 2025: Surprises, Struggles, and Stories So Far | OneFootball

Mexico’s top flight has once again delivered plenty of drama. After all, Liga MX never fails to surprise as 18 teams fight for the chance to be crowned champions.

Each campaign allows us to predict who will be in with a chance at glory, which teams are likely to fight for a playoff position and those who we can expect to suffer at the foot of the table.

As we move a step closer to finding out which teams will make the postseason, now is as good time as ever to share which teams have overperformed and underachieved, whilst looking at some of the best stories so far in the Liga MX Apertura 2025.

Liga MX Apertura 2025: Biggest Surprises

In the buildup to matchday 13, the current Liga MX table provides limited surprises in the top half, until we see Tijuana in sixth.

Liga MX Apertura, top half. Source: Sofascore

Los Xolos have quietly been going about their business, earning a record of five wins, five draws and two losses as we head towards the business end of the season.

The team has received global attention in recent months following the success of 16-year-old Gilberto Mora, who is heavily tipped for a major European move by the time he turns 18, with the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United, and Liverpool all interested. Rumours of a big-money move for Mora come as no surprise given his influence in the Tijuana team this season, having recorded four goal contributions in eight league appearances.

The big surprise within the Tijuana squad has been the performances of Frank Boya. The Cameroonian international has been firing from all cylinders, scoring six goals in 11 matches.

But their defensive record also deserves recognition. Los Xolos present the third-best defense in the league, behind only Tigres and Club América.

Looking ahead to their final five games of the regular season, Tijuana have the difficult task of hosting reigning champions Toluca before a visit to Tigres, but their season will be decided with crunch matches against Pumas and Atlas, two teams also vying for a place in the playoffs.

Liga MX Apertura 2025: Biggest Strugglers

The obvious choice for the team struggling this season would have been Chivas had they not just won three consecutive matches to force a late postseason charge, so attention then turns to Los Rayos, Necaxa.

In Clausura 2025, Necaxa became one of the surprise packages, finishing fifth in the regular and scoring goals for fun with a record only topped by Toluca.

Their title hopes may have fallen flat at the first round of the Clausura playoffs, but big expectations had been placed on the side to build in the Apertura, although what we are seeing at the moment is the complete opposite.

Liga MX Apertura, bottom half. Source: Sofascore

After manager Nicolás Larcamón decision to leave Necaxa for Cruz Azul, the team has gone from possessing the second most potent attack to the second weakest. They’ve scored just 11 goals in 12 games, a figure better only than bottom-placed Puebla.

Last season, frontman Diber Cambindo netted 13 goals in 16 league appearances, establishing himself as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards. However, the team’s struggles have taken their toll, with the Colombian finding the back of the net just twice this season.

Stuck in 17th position, new manager Fernando Gago needs a miracle to turn around this nightmare start with the club. Four points adrift of the playoff spots, Los Rayos face Cruz Azul and Tigres in their upcoming fixtures, two sides expected to make deep playoff runs. Then they close out the regular season with more winnable matches against Atlético de San Luis, Santos Laguna, and Mazatlán.

Liga MX Apertura 2025: Best Stories

Liga MX Apertura 2025 has brought us some incredible headlines:

One guarantee with Mexican football is that you can never predict a scoreline or result, having witnessed what look like major shocks on paper.

The form book had Club América as overwhelming favourites to win the Clásico Nacional, but Chivas’ young stars caused a major shock in the capital, stealing maximum points on Independence Weekend, whilst questions were asked of Cruz Azul, who had gone on a six-game winning run before needing a last-minute equaliser to avoid defeat to a struggling Querétaro.

Unlikely Heroes

The best stories in any season often revolve around the unlikely heroes, the unsung figures whose impact on the Apertura 2025 will be remembered for years to come. One such example is João Pedro of San Luis.

Signed on a free transfer from English Championship side Hull City at the age of 33, the Italian arrived in Mexico with modest expectations. Yet he now finds himself in the Golden Boot race, level with Monterrey’s Germán Berterame and just one goal behind the current leader, Toluca’s Paulinho.

Another name blossoming this season is Atlas winger Diego González. With the team currently sitting 11th, just outside the playoff spots, the Paraguayan has registered 10 goal contributions in 12 matches, establishing himself as one of the standout performers of the campaign and far surpassing his tally of one goal and three assists from the Clausura.

The final story that makes us fall in love with football all over again is the resurgence of injury-stricken JJ Macías. Once tipped to become the next generational talent, Macías has suffered consistent setbacks, most recently spending a year sidelined with an ACL injury. Let go by Chivas and most recently Santos Laguna, Macías joined a Pumas side desperate for attacking outlets. He’s thrived in the capital, scoring an important goal against Tigres after netting his first goal for the club against Mazatlán.

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