Club América captain Henry Martín will miss this weekend’s Clásico Joven against Cruz Azul despite returning to light training following a knee injury. The Mexican striker has not featured since Matchday 8 against Chivas, and coach André Jardine has opted not to risk him as the team looks to maintain its title challenge in Liga MX Apertura 2025.
América without their captain for Clásico Joven
Club América will have to face rivals Cruz Azul without their talismanic captain Henry Martín, who has not fully recovered from the knee sprain that sidelined him last month. Despite returning to training this week and taking part in light drills at Coapa, Martín is still short of match fitness and will not feature in Saturday’s highly anticipated Clásico Joven at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario.
It’s another setback in what has been a frustrating campaign for the forward, who has endured one of the toughest spells of his career. The Mexican international has managed just six appearances across all competitions this season — three in the Apertura 2025 and three in the Leagues Cup — without finding the net.
When could Martín return?
According to reports, América’s staff are targeting Tuesday’s home game against Puebla as a possible return date, depending on how Martín responds to increased training loads over the weekend. Should there be any lingering discomfort, his comeback could be delayed until the Mazatlán fixture the following Friday.
Coach André Jardine remains cautious, emphasizing that Martín’s long-term fitness takes priority over a short-term boost. “He’s progressing well, but we won’t take unnecessary risks,” a source close to the team told local media.
América’s other absences and returning players
The Águilas will also be without José Raúl Zúñiga, Isaías Violante, and Dagoberto Espinoza, while Alejandro Zendejas remains a game-time decision. On the positive side, Álvaro Fidalgo, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Sebastián Cáceres have all recovered from minor issues and are available for selection.
Additionally, several key players — including Luis Ángel Malagón, Kevin Álvarez, Israel Reyes, Ramón Juárez, Alexis Gutiérrez, and Érick Sánchez — have rejoined the squad following international duty, giving Jardine a strong core to face Cruz Azul.
América aim to stay on top
Despite the absence of their captain, América remain among the top contenders in Liga MX, with an unbeaten run that has kept them near the summit of the table. The club’s attacking depth — bolstered by Saint-Maximin’s return and Fidalgo’s creativity — will be crucial in maintaining momentum as they continue their push for silverware.
While Henry Martín’s return is on the horizon, his absence in the Clásico Joven serves as a reminder of his importance to the team — and the need for América to manage their star forward carefully ahead of a busy run of fixtures.
