What is the Gabriel Milito effect and why does it matter so much for Chivas? | OneFootball

Some teams are best explained as a collective. These Chivas, though, also need to be understood on an individual level. If there’s one thing Gabriel Milito has done since taking over, it’s exactly that: raise each player’s level to the point where the team’s performance is basically a direct result of that growth.

Under Milito, Guadalajara put together a historic season in the short-tournament era, posting their best-ever points total with 36 and setting a new club record for wins with 11. But the real signature isn’t in the numbers—it’s in the upgraded versions of the players. He reshaped roles, restored confidence, and maximized specific strengths.

You can see it in guys like Diego Campillo, José Castillo, Daniel Aguirre and Omar Govea—players who found clarity in their game and real weight in the starting XI. Out wide, Bryan González and Richard Ledezma fully unleashed their depth and one-on-one ability, while Luis Romo stepped up as a smart leader and Miguel Tapias became a rock at the back whenever called upon.

Up front, the impact is even clearer. Efraín Álvarez and Roberto Alvarado delivered big-time output with 9 goal contributions each, while Brian Gutiérrez chipped in with 7. And right at the center of it all is Armando González: 24 goals across the Apertura 2025–Clausura 2026 season, which pushed him into the Mexico national team picture and has him looking like a real option for the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking of the national team, Chivas went from having some call-ups to becoming a core supplier for Mexico. Since Milito arrived, 10 Chivas players have been involved in the World Cup cycle, and 5 of them are trending toward making the final roster. That’s a direct result of the level they’ve reached under his management.

This current project is built on a shared philosophy between Milito and the club: backing and developing homegrown talent. With 4,294 U-23 minutes played (3,683 counting toward the rule), no one is trusting Mexican talent more.

Chivas head into the playoffs in a really strong spot—and that’s no coincidence. It’s the result of Milito’s leadership, his management, the work behind the scenes, and the confidence he’s built. Time to believe—and buy into the process.