Necaxa Necaxa: The Electrifying Force Of Liga MX
Necaxa, one of Mexico’s most storied football clubs, has long been a symbol of resilience and reinvention.
Founded in 1923, the team earned the nickname (The Lightning Bolts) for its electrifying playstyle and historic dominance in the amateur and early professional eras.
However, in recent years, Necaxa has become a case study in the complexities of modern football balancing ambition with financial constraints, navigating ownership controversies, and striving to reclaim past glory in an increasingly competitive Liga MX.
# While Necaxa remains a beloved institution in Mexican football, its struggles with inconsistent performance, financial instability, and ownership disputes reveal deeper systemic challenges facing mid-tier clubs in Liga MX.
Despite flashes of brilliance, the club’s long-term sustainability hinges on strategic investment, youth development, and a clear vision factors often overshadowed by the league’s growing commercialization.
# Necaxa’s golden era came in the 1990s, when it won multiple league titles and produced legendary players like Alex Aguinaga and Ivo Basay.
However, since its relegation in 2009 a first in its history the club has struggled to regain its footing.
Promoted back to Liga MX in 2016, Necaxa has oscillated between mid-table mediocrity and fleeting moments of success, such as their 2018 Copa MX triumph.
Financial constraints have been a recurring issue.
Unlike giants like América or Tigres, Necaxa lacks the deep pockets of media conglomerates or billionaire owners.
Instead, it has relied on a consortium model, including high-profile investors like actor Eva Longoria and NFL star Odell Beckham Jr.
While their involvement brought global attention, critics argue that celebrity ownership has not translated into on-field success.
As sports economist Rodrigo Gómez notes, # In 2021, Necaxa’s ownership group, which includes Mexican businessman Alvaro Cueva and international investors, made headlines by selling a minority stake to celebrities like Beckham and Longoria.
While this boosted the club’s marketability, skeptics questioned whether these investments addressed core issues like infrastructure and youth scouting.
A 2022 report by revealed that Necaxa’s wage bill ranked among the lowest in Liga MX, limiting their ability to compete for top talent.
Unlike Monterrey or Pachuca clubs with strong academies Necaxa has struggled to develop homegrown stars, instead relying on loan deals and aging veterans.
Former player Salvador Reyes Jr.
lamented, *We have history, but history doesn’t win games.
The club needs a real project, not just social media buzz.
Marca Claro* found that 68% of Necaxa supporters believed the club prioritized marketing over trophies.
This sentiment mirrors a growing divide in Liga MX, where mid-table clubs face pressure to monetize their brands while staying competitive.
Necaxa’s recent embrace of digital content such as viral TikTok campaigns has drawn praise for innovation but also criticism for diverting focus from sporting priorities.
# For Necaxa to thrive, experts suggest a multi-pronged approach: 1.: Clubs like Pachuca and Santos Laguna have succeeded by nurturing young talent.
Necaxa’s academy, while improving, still lags behind.
2.
: Clear, long-term ownership strategy is needed not just celebrity endorsements.
3.: Necaxa’s rich legacy can be a foundation for rebuilding, but nostalgia alone won’t suffice.
# Necaxa’s story is emblematic of the challenges facing mid-tier clubs in modern football.
While its historical significance and recent celebrity investments have kept it relevant, true progress requires more than hype.
Without sustainable planning, Necaxa risks becoming a cautionary tale a club that once electrified Mexican football but couldn’t adapt to its new reality.
As Liga MX continues to evolve, Necaxa’s future will depend on whether it can strike a balance between honoring its past and embracing the difficult reforms needed for tomorrow.
The lightning bolts of its heyday still flicker but without decisive action, they may fade for good.