Club América is one of the most successful clubs in Mexico, having never been relegated to second division in its 98-year history, winning eight FIFA recognized international club trophies, tied for most in the region and has a roster made up of a number of significant players.
The club has gained somewhat of nefarious reputation over the years as big spenders, with ownership putting an emphasis on huge paychecks for Mexican and foreign players since the 1960’s.
Here are the top 5 big-name players to look for come the Champions League finals:
1 – Oribe Peralta: This dynamic striker has been scoring goals his entire career in Liga MX, winning two league titles with Santos Laguna, before joining Club América last summer. Nicknamed “El Cepillo" (The Brush), the 31-year-old player has become a mainstay on the Mexican national team, starting all four games at last year’s FIFA World Cup. Peralta has five goals in league play to go with another five in CCL.
2- Rubens Sambueza: a Liga MX veteran, Sambueza is a playmaking midfielder who drives the engine for América’s attack, having started his career with Argentine giants River Plate. Also 31, the left winger is now the team captain. He scored 16 goals since joining América in 2012.
3- Dario Benedetto: This Argentine winger/forward spent most of his time in second division in Argentina on loan before exploding for 21 goals in just 43 games with Tijuana from 2013 to the end of 2014 in Mexico’s top flight. Joining Club América for the 2015 Clausura season, the 24-year-old scored four goals in the decisive game of the Champions League semifinals - a 6-0 victory over Costa Rica’s Herediano – to go along with four goals in league play.
4- Pablo Aguilar: this centre back is a member of the Paraguayan national team and has two goals in 10 league games played so far this season in Liga MX. Known for his rugged playing style, the 28-year-old was shown a red card on two occasions in 2015, to go along with four yellows.
5- Carlos Darwin Quintero: although scoring just one goal in 11 league games played so far this season, this Colombian striker has been a goal scoring machine over his career, including 66 goals with Santos Laguna over his seven years with the club. MLS fans would recognize his name for some incredible Champions League performances, however, Impact fans will remember their hearts being broken after the 27-year-old scored both stoppage time goals (91st and 92nd minute) in 2009 to eliminate the club from its first ever Champions League appearance in the quarterfinals.
