Three Tigres Who Became Liga MX Legends

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Hooligan Soccer

·11 December 2025

Three Tigres Who Became Liga MX Legends

As Tigres UANL prepares to face Toluca in the Liga MX final Thursday, December 11, it is impossible for me—someone who has been a Tigres fan since childhood—not to reflect on the extraordinary figures who shaped the club’s modern golden era. Among many great players, three stand above the rest not only as Tigres legends, but as icons of Mexican football: Guido Pizarro, Nahuel Guzmán, and André-Pierre Gignac. Their stories, achievements, and loyalty have defined what Tigres represents today.

Guido Pizarro

Guido Pizarro’s arrival in 2013 was far from glamorous. His first months were difficult, and many questioned whether he was the right fit. But head coach Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti saw deeper qualities—leadership, discipline, and tactical intelligence. Soon, Pizarro became the heart of Tigres’ midfield, guiding the team to the 2014 final against América. One year later, he played a central role when Tigres defeated Pumas in that unforgettable 2015 championship.

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In 2016, during América’s centennial, Pizarro once again proved vital. He confidently converted one of the penalties that secured yet another title for Tigres. After a brief stint with Sevilla in La Liga—where he later admitted he missed the passion of the Tigres fans—he returned home in 2018. His comeback was followed by another historic moment: eliminating Rayados in the 2019 semifinal and then lifting the trophy as captain after defeating León in the final.

Even as a veteran, Pizarro continued writing history. In 2023, he scored the last goal in extra time against Chivas to seal yet another championship. His leadership was so evident that Tigres executives made a bold move less than a year ago: transitioning him directly from the field to the bench—not as a substitute, but as head coach. Many of us were skeptical, but he has proven to be a true strategist, now reaching a final in only his second season.

Nahuel Guzmán

If Pizarro is the brain of Tigres, Nahuel Guzmán has been its heartbeat. Since joining in 2014, “El Patón” has built a résumé that places him among the greatest goalkeepers in Liga MX history. In the 2015 final against Pumas, he delivered one of the most dramatic performances ever recorded—saving a crucial shot in extra time and stopping two penalties. A year later, in the 2016 final, Nahuel made history by stopping all three América penalties. He continued his heroics in 2017 versus Monterrey and again in 2019 against León, where his saves secured a tense 0–0 that gave Tigres the championship.

André-Pierre Gignac

And then there is André-Pierre Gignac, the French star who changed the trajectory of Mexican football. A Euro 2016 finalist, Gignac arrived with a global reputation—and somehow exceeded it. With more than 200 goals, including seven in Liga MX finals, he has scored with both volume and artistry. He remains the only Liga MX player ever nominated for the Puskás Award and is the all-time leading scorer in the Clásico Regio. His consistency, passion, and leadership have made him the face of the Tigres dynasty.

Together, these three players built an era defined by excellence and unity. They nurtured young talent, elevated standards, and created a sense of belonging felt by fans across generations. Whatever happens in this week’s final, their legacy is already secure. But should Tigres lift the trophy again, they will ascend from legends of Tigres to everlasting legends of Mexican football.