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{{short description|Mexican professional football club}}
{{refimprove|date=July 2017}}
{{about|the men's football club|the women's football club|Club León (women)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox football club
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = León
| clubname = León
| image = Club León FC.svg
| current =
| image = Leon FC logo.png
| upright = 0.8
| image_size = 170px
| caption =
| caption =
| fullname = Club León
| fullname = Club León
| nickname = ''Los Panzas Verdes'' (The Green Bellies)<br>''La Fiera'' (The Wild Beast)<br>''Los Esmeraldas'' (The Emeralds)<br>"Los Verdiblancos" (The Green and Whites)
| nickname = ''Los Panzas Verdes'' (The Green Bellies)<br>''La Fiera'' (The Wild Beast)<br>''Los Esmeraldas'' (The Emeralds)<br>''Los Verdiblancos'' (The Green and Whites)
| founded = {{Start date and years ago|1943|8|31}}
| founded = {{Start date and years ago|1944|8|20}}, ''as Unión-León''
| ground = [[Estadio León]] <br> [[León, Guanajuato]], Mexico
| ground = [[Estadio León]]
| capacity = 31,297<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clubleon-fc.com/estadio08a/index.asp |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2008-06-24 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627031521/http://www.clubleon-fc.com/estadio08a/index.asp |archivedate=June 27, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| capacity = 27,423<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://zonafranca.mx/el-estadio-leon-el-tercero-con-mejor-promedio-de-asistencia-de-la-liga-mx/ |title=El Estadio León, el tercero con mejor promedio de asistencia de la Liga MX - ZonaFrancaMX |access-date=2016-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927132158/http://zonafranca.mx/el-estadio-leon-el-tercero-con-mejor-promedio-de-asistencia-de-la-liga-mx/ |archive-date=2013-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| owner = [[:es:Grupo Pachuca|Grupo Pachuca]]
| owner = Grupo Pachuca
| chairman = Jesús Martínez Murguia
| chairman = Jesús Martínez Murguia
| manager = [[Gustavo Díaz]]
| manager = [[Eduardo Berizzo]]
| league = [[Liga MX]]
| league = [[Liga MX]]
| season = [[2017–18 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura|Apertura 2017]]
| season = [[2024–25 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura|Apertura 2024]]
| current = 2024–25 Club León season
| position = 7th (Liguilla Quarterfinals)
| position = Regular phase: 11th<br>Final phase: Did not qualify
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| website = {{url|https://www.clubleon.mx/plantilla.php|clubleon.mx}}
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'''Club León''' (simply known as '''León''') is a Mexican professional [[Association football|football]] club based in the city of [[León, Guanajuato|León]], [[Guanajuato]], Mexico.
'''Club León''' is a Mexican professional [[Association football|football]] club based in [[León, Guanajuato|León]], [[Guanajuato]], that competes in [[Liga MX]], the top division of [[Mexican football league system|Mexican football]]. The club was founded in 1944 as '''Unión-León''', after the merger of [[Unión de Curtidores]] and the Selección de Guanajuato.


León has won the [[Liga MX]] [[Primera División de México|México Primera División]] (Mexico First Division) title seven times: in 1948, 1949, 1952, 1956, 1992, Apertura 2013 and most recently Clausura 2014. They became the first Mexican "Campeonísimo" (winner of the League and the [[México Cup]] in the same year) in 1949. In 1993 León was the [[CONCACAF Champions' Cup]] runner-up, losing the final match against Costa Rican team [[Deportivo Saprissa]], in one of the greatest upsets among the defeats in the club's history. They are also only the second Liga MX team to win back-to-back championships in short tournaments.
León has won the [[Liga MX|Primera División de México/Liga MX]] title eight times in 1948, 1949, 1952, 1956, 1992, the Apertura in 2013, the Clausura in 2014, and Guardianes 2020. After winning the League and the [[México Cup]] in 1949, it became the first Mexican [[campeonísimo]]. León finished as runners-up for the [[CONCACAF Champions' Cup]] in 1993 and won the competition (renamed the Champions League) in [[2023 CONCACAF Champions League|2023]] against [[Los Angeles FC]].


They also qualified for the Champion's Cup in 1998, but were eliminated in the semi-final. The team has been a consistent contender for the Primera División A title since relegation from the Primera División in 2002; they failed to obtain the promotion due to constant mediocre performances in the play-offs despite good appearances during the regular season until the Clausura 2012 Tournament when León defeated Correcaminos UAT 6–2 and after ten years were finally promoted to the Primera División. In the Apertura 2013 season they became champions after defeating [[Club América|América]] 5–1, giving them their sixth championship star. The next season, Clausura 2014, they became champions for the second year in a row defeating [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]] 4–3, giving them their seventh championship star and becoming "bicampeones." In recent years, Club Leon games have even attracted non-Spanish speaking football fans; in addition to new Spanish-language broadcast partnerships with [[Fox Sports Latinoamérica]] in Mexico and [[Telemundo]] / [[NBC Deportes]] in the U.S. Since 2016, [[Univision Deportes]] holds the U.S. broadcasting rights to León home games.
The team were relegated to the [[Liga de Ascenso]] in 2002 and were a consistent contender for promotion, but failed to advance in the playoffs. León were promoted in the [[2011–12 Liga de Ascenso season|Clasura 2012]] and won the Liga MX's [[Apertura 2013 Copa MX|Apertura 2013]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Straus |first=Brian |date=December 16, 2013 |title=León bests Club América for Mexican Apertura championship |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2013/12/16/leon-captures-mexican-apertura-championship-club-america |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |accessdate=August 3, 2023 |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804060718/https://www.si.com/soccer/2013/12/16/leon-captures-mexican-apertura-championship-club-america |url-status=live }}</ref> They defended their league championship in [[Clausura 2014 Copa MX|Clausura 2014]], earning them the title of "bicampeones". The team has partnerships with [[Fox Sports Latinoamérica]] in Mexico and [[Telemundo Deportes]] in the U.S. Since 2016, [[TUDN (TV network)|TUDN]] holds the U.S. broadcasting rights to León home games.


León is ranked No. 1 in the [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] Central and North America's best clubs of the 20th century.<ref name="North and Central America">{{cite web|url=http://www.iffhs.de/?32b0cfd380ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20f83617f23808f16|title=Central and North America's club of the Century|work=International Federation of Football History & Statistics|accessdate=October 8, 2009}}</ref>
León is ranked No. 29 in the [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] Central and North America's best clubs of the 20th century.<ref name="North and Central America">{{cite web|url=http://www.iffhs.de/?32b0cfd380ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20f83617f23808f16|title=Central and North America's club of the Century|work=International Federation of Football History & Statistics|access-date=October 8, 2009|archive-date=February 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222235155/http://www.iffhs.de/?32b0cfd380ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20f83617f23808f16|url-status=live}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
In the first season (following sought the raid of a club, it is created from an application of [[Unión de Curtidores]] which merged with Selección de Guanajuato, changing to sell bonds to the public at variable amounts in order to afford the expenses involved in having a team in the top flight. With the money raised the directive hired [[Marcial Ortiz]], Raul Varela, [[Alfonso Montemayor]], Salvador Ramirez, Conrado Muniz Vicente Serrano, Pepe Cortes, "Sticks" Ramirez, Elpidio Sánchez and Joaquín Source Duillo Dobles technician being that set.
The club was created from an application by Unión de Curtidores which merged with Selección de Guanajuato. With the money raised, the directive hired Marcial Ortiz, Raul Varela, Alfonso Montemayor, Salvador Ramírez, Conrado Muniz, Vicente Serrano, Pepe Cortes, "Sticks" Ramírez, Elpidio Sánchez, and Joaquín Source Duillo Dobles. It participated in the Liga Mayor's second season (1944–45). The team comprised Argentinian players and Miguel Rugilo that served as coach and goalkeeper holder. Battaglia played defense plus two fronts; Marcos Aurelio scored 14 goals with Ángel Fernández. The team debuted at Patria Stadium on August 20, 1944, against Atlante and lost by a score of 5–3.


In the 1945–46 season another team appeared in the city: the San Sebastián de León. They placed fourth out of 16 teams with 30 games, 17 wins, 4 draws, 9 losses for 38 points. Their top scorer, with 24 goals, Alberto Mendoza.
Thus it is accepted to be part of the [[Primera División de México|Liga Mayor]] in his second season ([[1944–45 Mexican Primera División season|1944–45]]). He trained with the first team players from Argentina and [[Miguel Angel Rugilo|Miguel Rugilo]] that would serve as [[coach (sport)|coach]] and [[Goalkeeper (football)|goalkeeper]] holder [[Antonio Battaglia|Battaglia]] it was defense, plus two front; [[Marcos Aurelio Di Paulo|Marcos Aurelio]] he scored 14 goals and Ángel Fernández. Debuting at Patria Stadium on August 20, 1944 against [[Atlante F.C.|Atlante]] which at that time was an important club with players like [[Horacio Casarín]], Antolar, "Hair" Ramos, "Margarita" Gutierrez among others, falling defeated by a score of 5–3.


In the 1946–47 season notable players joined, one of whom was Adalberto Lopez, who scored 33 goals. In general, the team had a great campaign being runner-up with 41 points and maintained a fourteen-game winning streak. Another important element was Marcos Aurelio, who highlighted with 16 goals. A match against Atlante was scheduled place in Mexico City on June 1, 1947, in the Stadium Insurgentes (now [[Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes]]) which took place in León, but had to switch venues due to an epidemic of [[foot-and-mouth disease]] afflicting the Bajío region
The following season, the [[1945–46 Mexican Primera División season|1945–46]] appears other team in the city: the [[Club San Sebastián de León|San Sebastián de León]]. In this campaign are back in fourth place of 16 teams with 30 games, 17 wins, 4 draws, 9 losses for 38 points, was the top scorer with 24 goals Alberto Mendoza.


In a match against Club America on May 9, 1946, Florencio Caffaratti accidentally touched an electrical wire after scoring a goal. Alfonso Montemayor rescued him. Subsequently, Caffaratti gave a gold coin to Montemayor with the inscription: "In appreciation of Montemayor by F. Caffaratti."
In the campaign [[1946–47 Mexican Primera División season|1946–47]] club emblematic players arrived, one of them [[Adalberto Lopez]], which becomes the first Mexican scoring champion team, scoring 33 goals . In general the team had a great campaign being runner-up with 41 points, as the last date tied at zero with [[Atlante Soccer Club|Atlante]] and a point of difference lost the title, but had a streak of 14 games without losing. Another important element was [[Marcos Aurelio Di Paulo|Marcos Aurelio]], who highlighted with 16 goals. An unfortunate fact is presented precisely in the game against [[Atlante Soccer Club|Atlante]] that define the champion. That meeting took place in the [[Mexico City]] on June 1, 1947 in the new Stadium Insurgentes (now [[Estadio Azul]]) when in fact take place in [[Leon (Guanajuato)|Leon]], this is due to an epidemic of [[Foot-and-mouth disease|FMD]] whipping the [[Bajío]] region and that is why it was changed venue. That fact directly benefit the [[Atlante F.C.|Atlante]].


===1947–48===
Another fact that would go down in history occurred in the match against [[Club America]] on May 9, 1946 after [[Florencio Caffaratti]] wire accidentally touched electricity dropped following the goal of Leon, realizing what had happened, [[Alfonso Montemayor]] was launched to save the Argentine cable getting start it. Subsequently, Caffaratti Montemayor deliver a penny gold with the inscription: "F. Montemayor Caffaratti in appreciation."
{{See also|1947–48 Mexican Primera División season}}
When José María Casullo coached Club León, the greens lost seven times, three of them against Atlas Gold. The team tied at 36 points with the Jalisco Gold at first place. Jalisco Gold broke the tie with a score of 2–0.


===1947-48===
===1948–49===
{{See also|1947–49 Mexican Primera División season}}
Under the guidance of José María Casullo greens lost 7 times in 3 of them by a landslide against Atlas Gold 4–0 and 5–1 which made her doubt if get the title, however end up tied at 36 points with the Gold of Jalisco in the first place in the overall standings so it took a play-off series that took place at the Estadio de los Insurgentes Mexico City in the first game tied at zero, but in the second match defeated Leon the gold by two goals to nil, with notes of Pablo Perez at 51 'and Jaime Moncada to 74' in order to finally get the first professional degree. Adalberto "Dombo" Lopez becomes the first individual scoring champion with 89 goals.

===1948-49===
{{See also|1948–49 Mexican Primera División season}}
{{See also|1948–49 Mexican Primera División season}}
The first Mexican football champion was formed by José María Casullo he had overcome the outputs of Angel Fernandez, and Marcus Aurelius. The title is defined in the penultimate round by defeating Asturias 2–0 with goals by Adalberto Lopez to prevent a tie with Atlas and Guadalajara who remained a point, and Leon becomes the first to win the tournament Campeonísimo cup after 3–0 thrashing [[Atlante F.C.|Atlante]] on August 14, 1949, this tournament Likewise emeralds are worst rout in its history when Atlas will win 8–2. Adalberto Lopez again took individual scoring with 28 goals to become three-time, Note that in this tournament debuted later to be emblem of the club and the city, the goalkeeper [[Antonio Carbajal]] with [[Real Club España]] on December 2, 1948.
Club León defeated [[Asturias autonomous football team|Asturias]] 2–0 with goals by Adalberto López to prevent a tie with [[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]] and [[Guadalajara]] who remained a point, and Leon became the first to win the tournament campeonísimo cup after defeating [[Atlante F.C.|Atlante]] 3–0 on August 14, 1949.


===1951-52===
===1951–52===
Led by their coach Antonio López Herranz got his third team title, Antonio Carbajal joined the team along with the return of Marcos Aurelio, Sergio Bravo and Saturnino Martínez, had to compete against a Guadalajara that was directed by José María Casullo and is shown very strong, Leon won both games of the year with identical 1–0, the penultimate round both clubs came looking for the title alone [[C.D. Guadalajara|Guadalajara]] in 30 points and Leon in 29, for the last day Chivas faced the Puebla in El Mirador and just get the tie would be awarded the championship, however the incredibly won 1–0 poblano annotation Guadalajara Guadalupe Velazquez also the goalkeeper of Puebla, Vicente González, he stopped a penalty Tomas Balcazar. Meanwhile, Leon face Atlante, same that defeated 1–0 Leonel annotation Boza to seal the third title on December 20, 1951. The best scorer was Marcus Aurelius with 11 goals.
Club León switched coaches to Antonio López Herranz. Antonio Carbajal joined the team with the return of Marcos Aurelio, Sergio Bravo, and Saturnino Martínez. The team played against a Guadalajara team coached by José María Casullo. León won both games of the year with scores of 1–0. In the penultimate round, León lost to Guadalajara by 1 point.
The following season the shoal remain in third place far from the champion [[Tampico Madero F.C.|Tampico FC]] who recorded 34 points by 27 points from Leon. For the season 1953–54 came the first bad tournament by finishing ranked 8th with 21 points, the best scorer was Juan Jose Olivero. In 1954–55 comes restructuring to make a match of 25 points in fourth place. In this tournament began the rivalry against [[Irapuato F.C.|Irapuato]] where you lose the first home game 1–0 and then draw 1–1. The best scorers of the tournament were Leonel Marcos Aurelio Boza with 7 goals.


In the following season, the team remained in third place at 27 points. For the 1953–54 season it finished eighth with 21 points.
===1955-56===

That season was increased to be 14 teams, the Leon dominated the tournament like [[CD Oro]], Antonio López Herranz was the coach that players like Carbajal, Bravo, Marinilla From scissors, Marcos Aurelio and [[Jorge Marik]] got the best streak in club history after defeat Atlas booting from day 3 to 21, would remain undefeated with 12 wins and 7 draws to lose their 1–0 streak against Tampico, and two end dates were suspended Mari, Aurelio Marinilla and causing a drop tying [[Club Zacatepec|Zacatepec]] and lost with [[Puebla F.C.|Puebla]], prompting Oro closure had 3 wins and a draw in the lead reached them both with 37 points, and forced to play a game more to define the title between them. That game would dispute two months later, Leon participation in a European tour against [[FK Austria Wien|FK Austria]] and [[Club Atlético Lanús|Lanús]] of Argentina where he was a bad way to back with a win and 3 losses. The final game was developed at the University Olympic Stadium Mexico City, Leon defeated Gold 4–2 with three goals from Matthew of scissors and one of Marcus Aurelius and the March 25, 1956 added his fourth title, also get the champion of champions by defeating the [[Deportivo Toluca F.C.|Toluca]] who was champion cup. The scorer was Matthew of scissors which recorded 12 goals plus 3 play-off game.
===1955–56===
The following season title Lion failed to get 30 points to 6 champion leaving Guadalajara, in the tournament the greens were undefeated in 12 games field where they won 8 and drew 4 Osvaldo Marinillo the scorers were Matthew 17 and the Scissors with 11 goals. In 1957–58 is in fifth place with 29 points to 10 Zacatepec champion but won the Cup title. For 1958–59 Leon again increased its level to be within two points of winning his fifth title, stayed close when finished four dates to Guadalajara won 4–0 to tie it at 31 points, however Chivas won 3 and a draw to reach 38 points, Lion of those 4 won two, lost one and tied to Zacatepec. The scorers were Marinillo with 21 points and Alberto Etcheverry with 7. 1959–60 reached the fourth place with 30, [[Carlos Alberto Etcheverry|Alberto Etcheverry]] under 16 goals.
The season's roster increased to 14 teams. León won the best streak in club history with 12 wins and 7 draws before losing against Tampico (1–0). The final game was played at the University Olympic Stadium Mexico City, where León defeated Oro (4–2) and Toluca.

In 1956–57 León lost to Guadalajara. In 1957–58 they reached fifth place but won the Cup title.


===1960s===
===1960s===
León remained in fifth place in the 1960–61 season with 26 points, fifth place in 1961–62 with 25 points, ninth place in 1962–63 with 25 points, ninth place in 1963–64 with 25 points, seventh place in 1964–65 with 30 points, ninth place in 1965–66 with 28 points, fifth place in 1966–67 with 34 points, fifth place in 1967–68 with 35 points, seventh place in 1968–69 with 31 points, and seventh place in 1969–70 with 31 points and when Hugo Sanchez join club leon they won the apertura 1975 si club leon was the best team back in the days on the 70s and late 80s.
1960–61 remains in fifth place with 26 points, 1961–62 fifth with 25 points, 1962–63 gets the same 25 points but drops to ninth place overall. 1963 same situation 25 -64 units highlighted Claudine ninth Barbosa and Amador Fuentes with 6 goals, 1964–65 improvement to remain in seventh place of 16 teams with 30 points, Barbosa scored 10 goals. 1965–66 with 28 points is ninth, Luis Estrada scores 9 goals. 1966–67 improvement this season with 34 points in place 5 players Gabriel Mata and Sergio Anaya mark 9 and 8 goals, the event was the official opening of Camp Nou stadium on February 1, 1967 with the game [[Santos FC|Santos]] and [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] 2–1, although the Lion moved to the stage for the match against Club America of October 18, 1966 (2–1) also gets the title of Mexico and then loses crown the champion of champions against Toluca 1–0. 1967–68 concludes with 35 points in place 5, 1968–69 is a demotion to get 31 points in seventh-place ranking, as anecdotal evidence on December 5 in the Jalisco stadium in a game against Guadalajara, León 5 Elements expelled him why the comparison could not continue and was suspended 75 minutes' by referee Arturo Yamasaki, players were expelled Gil Loza, Salvador Enriquez, Manuel Lopez, Jose Valdez and Rafael Chavez. At the end of the tournament is proclaimed single striker Luis Estrada with 24 goals and reached to mark this distinction by 4 goals to [[Club Necaxa|Necaxa]] in the penultimate round. 1969–70 was exactly the same in points and place last season, players Luis Estrada and Sergio Anaya highlighted with 11 goals each, this campaign was directed by Antonio Carbajal.


===1970s===
===1970s===
For the Mexico 70, there were two technical changes the familiar Start Argentine Luis Grill, but before finishing was reinstated in his post Antonio Carbajal, as a result left with 33 points to fourth overall Sergio Anaya new stand becomes scorer the contest with 16 touchdowns, while Luis Estrada mark 13 goals. 1970–71 players arrive Jorge Davino, Roberto Salomone and Juan Valiente who scored 10 goals, the club was led by [[Antonio Carbajal]] make a good season of 38 points ranking fourth, then adjudge the Mexico cup title and champion of champions by defeating the American 1–0. 1971–72 hits a 35-point regular season in sixth place overall and new account wins the cup Mexico and the champion of champions by defeating Cruz Azul on penalties 5–3 in the first round Luis Estrada received two bullet wounds that kept him out all year.
For the Mexico 70 Tourney, there were two technical changes: the starter Argentine Luis Grill was replaced, but was reinstated after [[Antonio Carbajal]] left, as a result, left with 33 points to fourth overall Sergio Anaya new stand becomes scorer the contest with 16 touchdowns, while Luis Estrada mark 13 goals. 1970–71 players arrive, Jorge Davino, Roberto Salomone and Juan Valiente who scored ten goals, the club was led by Carbajal and ranked fourth with 38 points.

1972–73 initiate driven A. Carbajal but was replaced by [[Rafael Albrecht]] that served as player and coach, in which pups from the third division debuts at half containment tremendous technical and physical faculties to "Cobrita" Martin A Villanueva, after being selected Mexican sub-17/20 ... then came the Brazilian José Gomes Nogueira who led the team to second place with 42 points and get a 2 [[Cruz Azul]], and calls his first league where eliminated [[Real Club España]] with the first leg 0–0 and a tie at 3 in the back with goals from Leon 2 and Albrecht Salomone, at that time there was no tiebreaker by general location and away goal, so he must have played A third game in the [[Estadio Cuauhtémoc]] where back end goal tied 1–1 Albrecht, criminal and Leon threw themselves reached the final by beating Atletico 5–4. The final was against [[Cruz Azul]] the first game was the June 12 goals Leon 1–1 draw Albrecht and [[Fernando Bustos]] by blues, back on June 17 in [[Estadio Azteca]] with a 0–0 draw, again required a third set tie-back is performed in [[Puebla, Puebla|Puebla]] on June 19 the Guanajuato are defeated 2–1 goals from Javier Guzman and an own goal by Jorge Davino, by Leon pulled Salomone. This squad had players like goalkeeper Jorge Jaramillo, defenders, Arturo Razo, Hector Sanabria, Rafael Albrecht, Martin A Villanueva, Carlos Gomez, media, Luis Estrada, Mario caves, Mario Ayala, Rafael Chavez, and strikers Roberto Salomone Jose Valdez, Juan Valiente, Jorge Davino.

In 1973–74 gets 40 points and fifth place with 18 teams do not qualify, the outstanding player was Roberto Salomone who scored 18 goals and revelation was the "Cobrita Martin A Villanueva with 6 goals. 1974–75 Jorge Davino is transferred to Potosi, while hired [[Daniel Montegazza]] and [[Osvaldo Batocletti]], for this campaign starts coach Sergio Anaya, and then was relieved by Uruguayan Washington Etchamendi who led the team to get the fifth pick overall lead product of 21 wins, 9 draws, 8 losses, 70 goals scored by 50 against with 51 points, the Lions was Salomone scorer with 19 goals and again the Cobrita Martin A Villanueva with 7 goals. In the play-offs, a series classifying León group, [[Cruz Azul]], [[Deportivo Toluca F.C.|Toluca]] and [[Unión de Curtidores]] robin series where the most points made was the champion. Unión de Curtidores faced losing 1–0, and tying the second game 0–0, then you win both games Cruz Azul 1–0 and 3–2, the third goal was Toluca and first with 3–1 win goals from Manuel Guillen, Isidro Caballero and Luis Gomez, for the reds under Ramón de la Torre, the last and final game in the stadium [[Estadio Nemesio Diez|World Toluca 1970]] of June 26, 1975 with the green tie would crown but did not hold the 0–0 when [[Ítalo Estupiñán]] under the 52 'to deliver the championship to Toluca. positions this mini tournament for the title were as follows: Toluca 8 points, Leon 7 points, 5 points Tanners and Cruz Azul 4.


In 1972–73, initiate driven A. Carbajal was replaced by [[Rafael Albrecht]] that served as player and coach. The final game was against [[Cruz Azul]].
1975–76 was the first season that appeared the shoal groups were placed in group 4 with Toluca, [[Club Universidad Nacional|Pumas]], [[Club de Fútbol Laguna|Laguna]] and [[Club Jalisco|Jalisco]], also appears in this tournament quarterfinals phase. For the tournament so Etchamendi be assigned back to Sergio Anaya season was replaced by Ignacio Jáuregui, the club finished in third place with 46 points in the quarter-finals lost both games against [[Club Universidad de Guadalajara|Universidad de Guadalajara]] with overall 6–0 outrageous. Salomone scores 16 goals. 1976–77 Sergio Anaya season begins but is relieved by Roberto Scarone for 29 dates Anaya then returns to the last 9 days, Jorge Alberto stood out with 20 goals with 9 and Montegazza Salomone and Martin A Villanueva with 6 points, the numbers were 12 wins, 15 draws and 11 losses for 39 points leaving them in tenth place. 1977–78 Montegazza and Batocletti go to Tigers, as coach was the return of Gomes Nogueira, but went by Augustine Santillan was also changed by Roberto Silva was a bad season to take the place 11 of 20 teams with 36 points and did not qualify. The top scorers were Alberto Jorge with 15 goals and Kalu and Martin Villanueva Cobrita with 12 goals. The latter is removed after suffering tear in his right knee in the Cuauhtemoc stadium in Puebla leaving a career of one of the strong players and technical born in Leon, Martin Villanueva Cobrita at the age of 22 years. 1978 continues to decline -79 [[Antonio Carbajal]] returns as a coach and drops to 16th place with 33 points, scored 12 goals Kaloo. 1979–80 located another disappointing tournament in 17th place with 29 points as a technician standing back to Gomes Nogueira that, given the poor performance, went for another known in Augustine Santillan.


In 1973–74 the team failed to qualify at fifth place with 40 points.
===1980s===
1980–81 is the crisis team to finish with 31 points in the third to last, as coach Alberto Resquin was first and then [[Carlos Alberto Etcheverry|Alberto Etcheverry]], the best man was Concepcion Rodriguez with 9 points. 1981–82 this campaign came close down four first technical [[Walter Ormeño]] followed by Salvador Enriquez, Augustine Santillan after he was dismissed after adding 4 draws in a row to 0, arrived [[Arpad Fekete]] on the date 18 unless the team when they managed to rescue three points to leave the problem of the play-offs by not lowering the Atlas and [[Tampico Madero F.C.|Tampico Madero]]. He ended up with these numbers: 6 wins, 15 draws and 17 losses with 18 of 20 teams instead. The highlights were [[Ruben Omar Romano]] with 13 goals and Juan Carlos Roldan with 9 touchdowns. 1982–83 coach Ricardo starts Facio, but take 0 wins 3 draws and 6 losses is stopped by Sergio Anaya for 2 collations which comes with a point, prior to arrive in November for the fourth time to relay Gomes Nogueira I finally get the win in Week 12 when they defeat the Tigers 3–2 Leon visitors, the goals are the work of Zizinho 2 and Ruben Omar Romano. After the change the team went from last place to finish in 10th place with 37 points, as prominent players were Romano had 11 goals and 10 goals Zizinho Victor Rangel with 9 points.
1983–84 as a novelty came multigoleador [[Evanivaldo Castro|Cabinho]] which debuted at Tampico with 3–3, he scored one goal and missed a penalty, but in sports there was greater improvement than occupy 16th place with 32 points, as coach Sergio Anaya for 12 home dates, José Luis Aceves then came another 12 dates after Luis Grill 3 and again saves of the last places Arpad Fekete who runs 11 rounds. The team was Cabinho scorer with 18 goals. 1984–85 this was the last successful team before its descent when Arpad Fekete placing directs all the emeralds tournament in eighth place with 42 points, the product of 12 wins, 18 draws and 8 losses, league ranks after faces 9 years in the quarter-finals to U of G and win the leg 1–0 with goals from Cabinho, in turn loses 2–1 goal was to Cabinho, Leon defines criminal series 7–6, and reaches a semi-finals against [[Club Universidad Nacional|Pumas]] was the first leg 3–3, goals from Leon, Juan Pablo Muciño, Carlos Eusebio and Cabinho on lap falls 2–0 in the Olympic 68. Evanivaldo Castro won the individual scoring title with 23 goals. Prode 1985 only season there were eight games as a result of [[1986 FIFA World Cup|Mexico 86]], those of Leon were directed by Julio Larios who delivered seven points in 15th place. The other technical short tournament Gabriel Mata starts coming out after three dates to have three losses and Jorge Davino comes to raising 18avo club left in place with 13 points in 18 games.


===First relegation===
===First relegation===
In 1986–87 Jorge Davino scored 10 points in 19 days and start the 31 day leon when back to second division and they appear back on first division on May 10, 2012 and they won the Apertura when they arrived to first division.
In 1986–87 Jorge Davino starting in 19 days had 10 points entering reason Mario Ayala exiting a game and then the Chilean Pedro Garcia could do nothing to prevent the first relegation in its history club breaking 43 years in the Primera División. The numbers were 40 games, 12 wins, 8 draws, 20 defeats 42 goals scored by 57 against to 32 points sentenced to relegation with [[Cobras de Querétaro]] that was the last. With three seasons in [[Segunda División de México]] (1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90), Leon plans a good team by hiring technical climb just to [[Toros Neza]] in 1988–89, [[Victor Manuel Vucetich]] that he could not run because the club was sold immediately and the overall lead in the final faces second division to [[Inter Tijuana]] beating 3–0 the round and a 1–1 draw at [[Leon (Guanajuato)|Leon]] could ascend the June 3, 1990.


===1990s===
===1990s===
The Esmeralds were returning to the Primera División for the season 1990–91, directed by Victor Manuel Vucetich who debuted in the top flight and led the entire tournament, complying with a good job, leaving the club in sixth place with 41 points but did not qualify to be third in group 3, and Martin Uribe Francisco Peña highlighted with 13 and 12 goals.
The ''Esmeraldas'' returned to the Primera División for the 1990–91 season and were coached by Victor Manuel Vucetich, who debuted in the top flight and led the entire tournament. He led the club in sixth place with 41 points but did not qualify to be third in group 3, and Martin Uribe Francisco Peña highlighted with 13 and 12 goals.

In the 1991–92 season after the rise of second division formed his squad with players like goalkeeper Marco Antonio "Chato" Ferreira, the Brazilian Milton Queiroz "Tita" (leader and main figure scored 16 goals) and greater club idol Leon, Alberto Coyote, Carlos Turrubiates, Guadalupe Castaneda, Marco Antonio Benatto "engineered", Edgardo Fuentes, Martin Pena, Francisco Uribe, make a good campaign under head coach Victor Manuel Vucetich finish the season with 45 points and 4th place overall, faces in quarter-finals Cougars won both games 1–0, in semi–finals eliminates Cruz Azul a 3–3 overall tally first round lost 3–1 Lion goal was finalized by "Marquinho" beat the game back 2–0 with goals from Milton Queiroz and Martin Castaneda, moving more away goals, reaching the final to face Puebla FC where Leon used the situation as the poblanos were not concentrated to have extra problems sports, the emerald tie the game round 0–0 and take an apparent advantage to Leon where the June 7, 1992 the game was difficult to tie in regulation 0–0, in overtime on a goal imposed Carlos Turrubiates to 104 'and an own goal Aurelio Rivera at 106 'to win 2–0 and lift their fifth league title.


===Second relegation===
===Second relegation===
Robert Zermeno cost the team and landed them in last place with 19 points.
Robert Zermeno was shown as an arrogant leader who took the worst decisions, for winter 2001 took players like [[Jaime Ordiales]] and goalkeeper [[Luis Islas]] tournament that went through last salvation leaders instead came [[Zdenko Muff]], [[Rodrigo Valenzuela]], [[Eduardo Arancibia]], [[Horacio Hernandez]] and [[Efren Sanchez]], all these movements caused the fall of the club that rescued just 19 points and was in last place with La Piedad and Celaya to be his direct opponent to avoid relegation, for Summer 2002 contracted players like [[Nicolas Sartori]], [[Guido Alvarenga]] to rojinegros [[David Pacheco]], [[Cesar Marquez]] and [[Gerardo Mascareño]]; Americanists and [[Edson Astivia]] and [[Raúl Gutiérrez]], in addition to the Leon [[Israel Valadez]], [[Ulises Gonzalez]]. From start [[Efrain Flores]] technical but with a dismal start six games without a win (4 losses and 2 draws) is stopped, then appoint Carter as coach Rafael Chavez debuting Atlante won 2–1 after the victory yet sewed five consecutive losses and 6 without a win to salvage a 2–1 La Piedad hurry that gave hope but losing 3–2, 4–2 Cruz Azul and Pumas salvation was complicated because it had to win the last 2 games and lost them Celaya, in the game falls vital 3–2 home against Puebla and its descent sentence, ending Necaxa maximum dismisses 2–0 defeating circuit. The numbers of the club in this tournament were 2 wins, 4 draws and 12 defeats 17 goals scored by 36 against to 10 points in the percentage occupied the last position of 18 teams with 103 points in 104 games for the convicted 1.0009 Celaya below and Puebla. Now with the decline in the city several protests demanding that the government recover the club, Roberto Cermak meanwhile noted that the team had not dropped because they would gain promotion to occupy 20th place and stated that they would not pay 5&nbsp;million to the federation until Atlante did well, promotional series was against Veracruz where the leader had to swallow his words when his team lacked variants round losing 3–1 with 2 goals from [[Carlos Casartelli]], 1 [[Fernando Juarez]], Leon pulled by [[Leandro Augusto]], the second leg was developed before a sellout at the Nou Camp where only jarochos waited to take the tie to 0 to the despair of asking fans Cermak exit, the game ended in formalizing finally decline.

===Liga de Ascenso===
After relegation, the club changed ownership because it sells Zermeno Argentine businessman Carlos Ahumada. It creates a plan to climb the same year. So winter comes 2002 and formed his squad with players like goalkeeper [[Cirilo Saucedo]], [[Jesus Fuentes (footballer)|Jesus Fuentes]], [[Cesar Marquez]], [[Omar Raso]], [[Ulises Delgado]], [[Jairo Ugalde]], Argentines [[Martin Villalonga]], [[German Gords]], Paraguayans [[Julio Cesar Colman]], and [[Julio Cesar Yegros]], but does not qualify. Summer 2003; club gets the lead with 40 points in league imposes on [[Lagartos de Tabasco|Tabasco]] 4–2 aggregate in semi-finals defeats [[Runner of CTU]] 3–2 on aggregate, in final against [[Tapatio]] on June 12 tied the first game 1–1, in the back with two runs of Colman won 2–1 to reach the game promotion. Mourning's rise could not be more emotional as his bitter rival would have to face, the game was played on June 18, 2003, the emeralds fall 2–1 with goals from [[Ariel Gonzalez]] Gers and an own goal, the goal achieved by Ulises Gonzalez lions, before the repudiation of fans but still had a chance to reverse in Irapuato; On lap and before meeting the [[Estadio Sergio León Chavez]] was taken by an armed group allegedly hired by Lion executives to pressure the board to sell the club strawberry when he ascended but the property was recovered by several local fans violently. Already in the end, the match became complicated, Leon tried to tie global lashing but did not give the advantage and 11 minutes left Josiah Ferreira scored the 1–0 and gave the rise to Irapuato, and thus sentenced to Leon to stay a second year in the division of ascent.

As part of investigations into Ahumada Karts leave the board, the club was available to the PGR, in sports the Lion for opening foreign hired his best division{{clarify|dated=February 2015|date=March 2015}} in [[Hector Carlos Alvarez|Hector Alvarez]] that was scoring champion with 17, plus Sarria and Fabio Claudio Moreno made a good tournament for 37 points but was eliminated in the play-offs by technical Cobras was the Chilean [[Carlos Reinoso]], then was deposed by his son [[Carlos Reinoso]] and directed the [[Edgardo Fuentes]] league.

Clausura 2004 directs [[José Luis Zaldivar]] strategist who had defeated in the previous ascent, as reinforcements arrive [[Diego Perrone]] Atlas, Tecos [[Gilberto Adame]], [[Oribe Peralta]] and [[Luis Romero (Mexican footballer)|Luis Romero]] is achieved the overall lead with 39 points eliminated in quarter-finals [[Tigrillos of UANL|Tigrillos Coapa]] 4–2 aggregate in the semi-finals imposed on [[Club Zacatepec|Zacatepec]] overall and 7–4 in the final faces [[Dorados de Sinaloa]] where he won 2–1 on aggregate and forced to repeat a new series for the final for promotion. The first game ended in a tie with two goals in Lion Stadium with goals from Perrona to 83 ', and Luis Romero at 91', for the visit Aurelio Molina frame 24 'and [[Oscar Emilio Rojas|Oscar Rojas]] 44'; and for the second game of June 5, 2004, lost 2–1 goals [[Christian Valdez]] 15 'and Roberto Dominguez 65', by Leon Juan Manuel Guerra to 52 '. So does admission to the First Division Golden and adds another failure to Leon.


After relegation, the club was sold to Argentine businessman Carlos Ahumada.
Since the sentence given to Ahumada club lost property and [[Santos Laguna]] who recovered group Model and property were seized and a board formed by Adolfo García Reza to manage the club, that no funds divested its best players. In the Apertura 2004 is reinforced by [[Jorge Almiron]], [[Guadalupe Castaneda]], [[Federico Estudillo]], [[Matías Urbano]]. As a coach was [[Carlos Bracamontes]] that had a slow start to reach 10 date was 12 points, but up rated it 32 points in the quarterfinals is eliminated by Cd Juarez Cobras 3–2 overall.


On 19 November 2010, Grupo Pachuca purchased the club.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oficializa León compra por parte del Pachuca|url=https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/ascenso-mx/oficializa-leon-compra-por-parte-del-pachuca|work=Medio Tiempo|language=Spanish|date=20 November 2010|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128024824/https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/ascenso-mx/oficializa-leon-compra-por-parte-del-pachuca|url-status=live}}</ref>
A curious fact is that in the game against him [[Cruz Azul Oaxaca]], Leon celebrated its 60th anniversary, but could not realize because it would use a FMF commemorative uniform not allowed to use them and the shirt had buttons, and the rules of the Federation mark this as abuse, and to make matters worse the Sky Blues took the win in [[Estadio Nou Camp]], staining and the anniversary of Guanajuato.
In Clausura 2005 comes [[Juan Carlos Chavez]] as a coach, in his make dated 7 equals 6 consecutive wins since he plays in the division after beating Wolves 2–1 UAP, finished with 32 points in 5th place, Hector Alvarez record 12 goals in the quarter-finals defeat to Pachuca Junior 6–1 on aggregate goals of Sarria, Fierros, Castaneda, Esquivel, Sources and Mendoza, in semi-finals realizes [[Dolphins Coatzacoalcos|Coatzacoalcos]] won 3–1 the overall goals of Sarria, Manuel Guerra and Bardo Fierros, so access to the final against [[Querétaro F.C.|Querétaro]] in the first leg at the Corregidora 2–1 win cocks many of [[Robert Nurse]], Victor Mora, the green notes Juan M. War. In the return at the Nou Camp was unable to win when Armando Tavira shocked to 12 'to get ahead in the cocks, until [[Leobardo Lopez]] tied the game at 50', Leon could win and send less time extra when defender Diego Coca attacked Hector Alvarez, so marked a penalty in the 81', which was executed by Luis Romero but failed to kill off the final and another failure, anger beens followers seized who booed their players, causing various disturbances in the stands and visitors batons against Querétaro.

Apertura 2005 the team is led by veteran coach Augustine Santillan, as additions arrive Argentine goalkeeper Paul Sly, Tomas Banda, Jorge Collazo and Roberto Nurse, Leon gets 25 points ranked 2nd in group 2 but in eleventh place reclassification must face against [[Indios de Ciudad Juárez]] to which eliminate won the first 1–0 and drawing 3–3 in the return visitor and to eliminate league qualifies quartered [[Runner of CTU|Runner]] with overall 4–1 in semi-finals consume another failure by falling against [[Cruz Azul Oaxaca]] 3–2 overall.

Clausura 2006 with [[José Guadalupe Cruz (footballer)|José Guadalupe Cruz]] technician finishes with 30 points and 5th place overall, to face [[Cruz Azul Oaxaca]] in the quarter-finals, get out then tie the aggregate score 3 general location -3 gave the pass to the blues. In 2006 Grupo Pegaso opening is responsible for the administration to seek promotion, with coach Juan Carlos Chavez arrives in another league ranking in 4th place in Group A and 9th place overall with 25 points, quartered faces [[Oilers Salamanca|Salamanca]] team that wins 4–1 on aggregate, some players from that squad were, Cesar Rios, Juan Rojas, Germán Gordos, Ignacio Hierro, Juan Manuel García Zavala, Irving Ruborosa, Diego Garay, José María Cárdenas, Diego Mejia Ignacio Quinteros and Bardo Fierros.
Clausura 2007 joined this campus Sandro Sotillo, [[Hector Castro]] and [[Sergio Bueno]] as coach, with 33 points placed in Group A facing league are ranked third tournament followed by [[Cruz Azul Hidalgo]] in the round room they lose 3–1 at home, the back end golearlos advance to 3–0 on December 10, in semi-finals was against [[Puebla F.C.|Puebla]] emotional series where wins round 2–0 goals from Hector Gomez and Ignacio Quinteros (ex Puebla) in the back with intense 3–3 on the [[Estadio Cuauhtémoc]] Leoneses eliminated the defending champion. In the end they found [[Dorados de Sinaloa|Golden]] collation leg was on May 16 at the Nou Camp Lion winning it 3–1 goals Fierros, Sotillo and Mejia. It seemed that this time would be more likely to advance to play in the game upgrade but the Sinaloa back the GoLean as usual 4–1 and added another failure. Apertura 2007, formed an interesting roster with men like [[Mauricio Romero Alvizu|Mauricio Romero]] scorer with 16 goals, Andres Ugalde, [[Edwin Borboa]], Raymundo Torres and Heder Patiño, the team is qualified to lead the group with 23 points in the play-offs was eliminated by [[Indios de Ciudad Juárez]] 4–2 on aggregate.

Clausura 2008, continues [[Sergio Bueno]] forming another great tournament now with Freddy Barreiro leader finishes reinforcement in group A and 27 teams overall leader with 35 points in the quarter-finals round win 2–0 at [[Cruz Azul Hidalgo]] with goals from Freddy Barreiro and Mauritius Romero drawing 1–1 in the return of Jorge Almirón goal, in a 3–2 semi-finals defeat [[Alacranes de Durango|Durango]] with many of Borboja, [[Juan Carlos Rojas (footballer)|Juan Carlos Rojas]] and Almirón; and reach the final against [[Dorados de Sinaloa|Golden]] tying the first game 2–2 and Romero Barreiro goals, turn held in [[Estadio Banorte]] on May 17; wins León Barreiro work 1–0 74' to get your ball game rise against [[Indios de Ciudad Juárez]], which had a season ago eliminated in semi-finals, the round was the May 22 in Benito Juarez stadium where Indians won 1–0 both Carlos Casartelli, the return of May 25 at the Nou Camp when there was no border miracle came out with a 2–2 draw, the home side put themselves ahead with a goal by Tomas Quinones to 23', and leads Indians draw with goals from [[David Stringel]] 59' and Sebastian More than 71', the tie reaches final five minutes of Hector Gomez, time is not reached and the amount Indians, fans conceded defeat and applauded the champions while demanding the departure of Team Pegasus group.

For the Apertura 2008, the owner of Club León is not resolved. Pegasus argues that bought it, but Carlos Ahumada says it was through fraud he lost, so the PGR determines that Grupo Pegaso continue administering it, but Carlos Ahumada is the rightful owner and while the situation is not resolved this situation will continue. As a technician came Mario Garcia, the emeralds to locate in the opening in group 1, next to Golden, Academic, Tapatio, Salamanca, Real Colima, Tecos A, Irapuato and Tijuana, ending the tournament as leaders of Group 1 with 35 points qualifying for enfrentase again [[Irapuato F.C.|Irapuato]] that the tournament had humiliated 4–0 in León, the story would be different when freseros comprehensive 2–1 win them and I added another failure. Clausura 2009 this tournament now was located in group 2 with Dorados, Veracruz, Tigers B, Tampico, Pumas Morelos, Mexico State and Tapatio with an irregular tournament does not qualify to be in fourth place with 23 points.
Apertura 2009 decide to replace the Mexican First Division A by Liga de Ascenso, where groups are removed only 7 qualifying 17 teams that had thus reducing the green bellies not qualify again by adding just 15 points 13 located in place.
Bicentenario 2010 on May 5, 2010 gathered at the Victoria Stadium to face in first leg of the final, León and Necaxa, same which was won by the Necaxa 3–0, and so on May 8, 2010 Leon wins second leg 2–1, but not enough on aggregate, wasting another opportunity to return to the maximum circuit to lose 4–2 on aggregate.
Apertura 2010 After the failure of the previous season, Leon was a staff similar to the previous tournament, but with characters like [[Jared Borgetti]] and [[Blas Perez]], being the most relevant contracts, starting the tournament with coach [[Jose Luis Salgado]], and after a defeat and a draw is dismissed of coaching which happens to be for [[Sergio Orduña]] during your stay which did not add no point, plunging the club into the worst crisis in its history by recording a draw and six losses and therefore sotaneo ranking as the Liga de Ascenso.

After the failure of Orduna, was appointed technical director [[Pintado (footballer)|Pintado]] "Painted" which manages to pull the team from last place in the table, putting it in the first eight points of the contest, but failed to qualify for the play-offs due to tie against Irapuato, leaving them with no ability to play big party Liga de Ascenso.

Clausura 2011 BH Capital sold the franchise to Club Deportivo Pachuca hiring several reinforcements as Julio Manzur, Luis Montes, Etc. reached the semi-finals but were defeated Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles lion was as superlíder table and Blas Perez as scoring champion.

For the Apertura 2011 comes back to the play-offs, where quarter-finals defeat to arch-rivals Club Deportivo Irapuato by an aggregate score of 3–0, and was eliminated in the semi-finals by the Football Club Reboceros of La Piedad on aggregate 6–5 in the first leg of La Piedad won by 3–0, however, the achievement Leon to even things 3–3, the team wanted to go for the win and neglect the goal, which the Reboceros took advantage of getting another 2 goals in order to win 5–3. In the second leg engaging leon manages to be gaining the score 2–0 and even the series, even the beast occupied one more to advance, since La Piedad'm better placed in the table, the Greens fought to get the goal but all that effort went down when Piety scored the 2–1, the picture is complicated and the end result as well, to add more to equipment failure.


===Return to Primera División===
===Return to Primera División===
Argentine [[Gustavo Matosas]] began leading León on 7 January 2012, after being hired in September 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gustavo Matosas nuevo técnico del León|url=https://zonafranca.mx/deportes/gustavo-matosas-nuevo-tecnico-del-leon/|work=Zona Franca|language=Spanish|date=20 September 2011|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=September 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907161334/https://zonafranca.mx/deportes/gustavo-matosas-nuevo-tecnico-del-leon/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the Apertura 2011 campaign, he could not have a presence off the bench or be registered as coach because he had coached [[Querétaro FC]] in the same tournament. Matosas' 10 wins, 4 draws, and 0 defeats in 14 regular season fixtures, resulted in an ERA of 70.83% and the overall leader, helping them earn a direct qualification to semi-finals of the play-offs. In the semi-finals, they faced [[Correcaminos UAT]] and won 1–0 in the second match before facing the [[Lobos BUAP]] in the final, winning by an aggregate score of 7–3 and the right to play again in the [[2011–12 Liga de Ascenso season#Promotional Final|Promotional Final]]. Facing [[2011 Liga de Ascenso Apertura Liguilla|2011 Apertura championship]] winners Correcaminos UAT, León won by an aggregate score of 6–2, thus returning to the Mexican top-flight for the [[2012–13 Liga MX season|2012–13 season]].<ref>{{cite web|title=León logró el ascenso a Primera División|url=https://www.espn.com.mx/futbol/reporte?juegoId=335439|work=ESPN|language=es|date=12 May 2012|access-date=December 14, 2020|archive-date=August 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805104738/http://www.espn.com.mx/futbol/reporte?juegoId=335439|url-status=live}}</ref> León had struggled for their fourth final for promotion after losing against [[Irapuato F.C.|Irapuato]] in 2003, [[Dorados de Sinaloa]] in 2005, and [[Indios de Ciudad Juárez]] in 2008.
Year 2012 new coach, the Uruguayan-Argentinian [[Gustavo Matosas]], who began directing in the Clausura 2012 on January 7, 2012, but had been hired from September 2011, when even the upcoming Apertura 2011 and regulation issues that he could not have a presence off the bench or be registered as coach since he had been coaching the [[Querétaro F.C.|Querétaro]] the same tournament.


León won both tournaments (the Apertura and Clausura) of the [[2013–14 Liga MX season|2013–14 season]] and became the first team in Mexico's history to win two consecutive championship titles twice — winning the first of these during the [[1947–48 Mexican Primera División season|1947–48]] and [[1948–49 Mexican Primera División season|1948–49]] leagues consecutively.<ref>{{cite web|title=Underdog Champions: 2013-14 Leon|date=May 21, 2020|url=https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2020/5/21/21266928/underdog-champions-2013-14-leon-fc|publisher=FMF State of Mind|access-date=December 1, 2020|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620121157/https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2020/5/21/21266928/underdog-champions-2013-14-leon-fc|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=León, bicampeón 66 años después de ser el primero en serlo en México|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/noticias/nota?s=mex&id=2087915&type=story|work=ESPN Deportes|first=Julio|last=Saucedo|language=es|date=14 May 2014|access-date=December 14, 2020|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413140310/http://espndeportes.espn.com/noticias/nota?s=mex&id=2087915&type=story|url-status=live}}</ref>
The balance of Matosas 10 wins, 4 draws and 0 defeats in 14 regular season dates, which resulted in an ERA of 70.83%, and as the overall leader qualified them directly to semi-finals of the play-offs. In the semi-finals pitted the [[Correcaminos UAT]], key won by the score of 1–0 in the second match and faced the [[BUAP]] in the final. May 5, 2012, Leon was crowned undefeated champion of the Clausura 2012 by an aggregate score of 7–3 and the right to play again in the Final de Ascenso.


Matosas and León parted ways after failing to make it to the 2014 Apertura championship stage.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liga MX: Leon, coach Gustavo Matosas part ways|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2161834/headline|work=ESPN|date=24 November 2014|access-date=December 14, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907161334/https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2161834/headline|url-status=live}}</ref> Argentine [[Juan Antonio Pizzi]] was named as his replacement.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pizzi toma las riendas de León|url=https://www.marca.com/2014/12/04/futbol/futbol_internacional/mexico/1417655777.html|work=Marca Claro|language=es|date=4 December 2014|access-date=December 14, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828172603/https://www.marca.com/2014/12/04/futbol/futbol_internacional/mexico/1417655777.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Leon was contesting their fourth final for promotion, against [[Irapuato F.C.|Irapuato]] in 2003, [[Dorados de Sinaloa]] in 2005 and [[Indios de Ciudad Juárez]] three tries, three misses.


On 31 January 2016, following a 3–1 away loss to [[Tigres UANL]], Pizzi left the charge to join [[Chile national football team|Chile]] as their new manager and was subsequently replaced by [[Luis Fernando Tena]].<ref>{{cite web|title=New Chile coach Pizzi leaves Mexico's Leon on losing note|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-mexico-championship-idUKKCN0V90IL|work=Reuters|date=31 January 2016|access-date=December 14, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907161334/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-mexico-championship-idUKKCN0V90IL|url-status=live}}</ref> The club managed to reach the semi-final stage of the [[Clausura 2016 Liga MX championship stage|Clausura championship]], losing out to sibling club and eventual winners [[C.F. Pachuca]] with an aggregate score of 3–2.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hirving Lozano sends Pachuca into the Liga MX Clausura 2016 final|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=448720|work=ESPN|date=22 May 2016|first=Tom|last=Marshall|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108164701/https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=448720|url-status=live}}</ref>
They played the first game of the Final de Ascenso at [[Estadio Marte R. Gomez]] in [[Ciudad Victoria]], with approximately 17,000 spectators, where the Club Leon lost 2–1, besides losing [[Nelson Sebastian Maz|Sebastian Maz]], the team's leading scorer for the crucial match due to suspension after being red carded, although with a headet goal from [[Juan Ignacio González Ibarra|Nacho Gonzalez]] and a last minute save by goalkeeper [[Melitón Hernández]] gave hope to the emeralds to reverse the score around in their stadium.


Following a lackluster beginning to the [[2016–17 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura|2016 Apertura]] where León summed up 4 points within 7 league matches, Tena was let go and Argentina [[Javier Torrente]] was brought in.<ref>{{cite web|title=León despide a DT Tena por malos resultados en torneo mexicano|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/futbol-mexico-leon-idLTAKCN11503D|work=Reuters|date=29 August 2016|language=es|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109074156/https://www.reuters.com/article/futbol-mexico-leon-idLTAKCN11503D|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Torrente es el nuevo técnico del León|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/2774826/torrente-es-el-nuevo-tecnico-del-leon|work=ESPN Deportes|date=30 August 2016|language=es|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107132232/https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/2774826/torrente-es-el-nuevo-tecnico-del-leon|url-status=live}}</ref> Regardless of the uninspiring start, the club managed to reach the [[Apertura 2016 Liga MX championship stage|championship stage]], losing to eventual winners Tigres UANL in the semi-finals by an aggregate score of 3–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tigres down Leon, book place in Liga MX Apertura 2016 final|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=468662|work=ESPN|first=Tom|last=Marshall|date=3 December 2016|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109231350/https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=468662|url-status=live}}</ref>
The second match was played in [[Estadio León]] completely packed, with just over 30,000 spectators. Thus, on May 12, 2012, it was the date of return of the'' 'Club León''' to the México Primera División, starting with a goal of [[Carlos Alberto Peña|Carlos Peña]] also known as "El Gullit,"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccerly.com/article/nmoran/carlos-pena-to-lookand-play-like-ruud-gullit|title=Carlos Peña: To Look and Play Like Ruud Gullit|first=Nayib Moran -|last=nmoran|publisher=|accessdate=February 18, 2017}}</ref> rey de las praderas" to '17 and followed by goals from [[Luis Nieves]], [[Eder Pacheco]] and two goals from Colombian [[Hernan Dario Burbano]], to realize a score of 5–0 to 6–2 overall giving the promotion to Club León after 10 years of absence from the Primera División.


In August 2017, Torrente was let go after a year as manager<ref>{{cite web|title=FÚTBOL-León de México despide a DT Torrente tras perder en casa|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/futbol-mexico-leon-idARL2N1LD04D|work=Reuters|date=26 August 2017|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107101357/https://www.reuters.com/article/futbol-mexico-leon-idARL2N1LD04D|url-status=live}}</ref> and was replaced by [[Gustavo Díaz]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Gustavo Díaz arriba a León sin presión de tiempo|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/3506208/gustavo-diaz-arriba-a-leon-sin-presion-de-tiempo|work=ESPN Deportes|language=Spanish|date=31 August 2017|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128004206/https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/3506208/gustavo-diaz-arriba-a-leon-sin-presion-de-tiempo|url-status=live}}</ref>
The festivities began shortly before the end of the match in the main thoroughfares of the city, primarily on the Boulevard Adolfo Lopez Mateos (which is the main artery of the city of [[León (Guanajuato)|León]] and is adjacent to stadium) and the Arco de la Calzada. On Sunday May 13, the team toured the city with the trophy, in a marked route from Estadio León to the City Hall, located in the historic center, this before tens of thousands of fans.
Club León had won the [[2013–14 Liga MX season|Clausura 2014]], thus becoming the second team in Mexico's history to win two consecutive league titles.


On 18 September 2018, [[Ignacio Ambríz]] was named manager of León, replacing Díaz.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/leon-hires-nacho-ambriz-to-replace-gustavo-diaz-as-manager/eett14c5cjv31ip8gandy5guv|title=Leon hires Nacho Ambriz to replace Gustavo Diaz as manager|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=March 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044009/https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/leon-hires-nacho-ambriz-to-replace-gustavo-diaz-as-manager/eett14c5cjv31ip8gandy5guv|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[2018–19 Liga MX season#Torneo Clausura|2019 Clausura]], he helped León attain the records of most consecutive wins with eleven<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mexico.as.com/mexico/2019/04/13/futbol/1555128020_844372.html|title=León impone récord de más victorias consecutivas en Liga MX|date=April 12, 2019|language=es|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=July 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706162909/https://mexico.as.com/mexico/2019/04/13/futbol/1555128020_844372.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the most points attained during the 17-match tournament format (41 points).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mexico.as.com/mexico/2019/05/05/futbol/1557027384_010855.html|title=León impone récord de puntos en torneos de 17 jornadas|date=May 4, 2019|language=es|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=July 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706170234/https://mexico.as.com/mexico/2019/05/05/futbol/1557027384_010855.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They faced [[Tigres UANL]] in the [[Clausura 2019 Liga MX championship stage|Clausura championship]] final but lost following an aggregate score of 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tigres edge Leon to win Liga MX Clausura|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=540305|work=ESPN|first=Tom|last=Marshall|date=21 May 2019|access-date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=December 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209221140/https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=540305|url-status=live}}</ref> Regardless, Ambríz's feats with the club contributed to him being named best manager at the conclusion of the [[2018–19 Liga MX season|season]].<ref name="Ambriz">{{cite web|title=Ignacio Ambriz: ganador del Balón de Oro al Mejor Director Técnico|url=https://www.tudn.com/futbol/liga-mx/ignacio-ambriz-ganador-del-balon-de-oro-al-mejor-director-tecnico|work=TUDN|first=Jaime|last=Bernal|date=13 July 2019|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810080808/https://www.tudn.com/futbol/liga-mx/ignacio-ambriz-ganador-del-balon-de-oro-al-mejor-director-tecnico|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Stadium==


After a first place finish with 40 points in the [[2020–21 Liga MX season#Torneo Guardianes 2020|Guardianes 2020]] general table, on 13 December, León won the league title defeating [[Club Universidad Nacional]] with an aggregate score of [[Guardianes 2020 Liga MX Final|3–1]], becoming Mexico's joint fourth most successful team with eight titles in total alongside [[Cruz Azul]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Club Leon sink Pumas to win 2020 Liga MX. In 2021 León defeated Seattle in the Leagues Cup Final 3-2 and was the runner up in the Aperture Tournament. In 2023 León beat Tigres and LAFC to win the Concachampions and book a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup. title|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=590180|work=ESPN|first=Tom|last=Marshall|date=13 December 2020|access-date=December 14, 2020|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214205706/https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=590180|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Estadio León]] (also known as Estadio Nou Camp) is a football stadium located in the city of Leon, in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. The stadium hosts Leon and some lower division teams and subsidiaries. It is also used for special events such as presentations and musicals.


==León Stadium==
Construction of the stadium started on August 18, 1965 and, at the end of 1966, the finished building that would house ''Los Esmeraldas'' was completed.
[[File:EstadioLeon_Noche.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Night view of the León Stadium.]]
[[Estadio León]] (unofficially known as "Nou Camp") is a football stadium in [[León, Guanajuato]], Mexico. The stadium hosts Club León and some lower division teams and subsidiaries. It is also used for special events such as presentations and musicals.


Construction of the stadium started on August 18, 1965, and at the end of 1966, the finished building that would house ''Los Esmeraldas'' was completed.
On February 1, 1967, the stadium was inaugurated with a match between [[Santos FC|Santos]] of Brazil and [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] of Argentina, the match ending with a 2–1 victory in favor of the Brazilian team.


On 1 February 1967, the stadium was inaugurated with a match between [[Santos FC|Santos]] of Brazil and [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] of Argentina, ending in a 2–1 victory for Santos.
Estadio León has hosted 2 [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]], the first being [[FIFA World Cup 1970|Mexico '70]], with guests such as [[Germany national football team|West Germany]], [[Peru national football team|Peru]], [[Bulgarian national football team|Bulgaria]] and [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]], as well as hosting the quarterfinal game between [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] and [[England national football team|England]]. During [[World Cup 1986|Mexico '86]], the stadium hosted group matches featuring the [[Russia national football team|Soviet Union]], [[France national football team|France]], [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] and [[Canada men's national soccer team|Canada]], as well a second round match between the USSR and [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]].


Estadio León has hosted 2 [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]]: the first was [[1970 FIFA World Cup]], with guests like [[Germany national football team|West Germany]], [[Peru national football team|Peru]], [[Bulgarian national football team|Bulgaria]] and [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]], as well as hosting the quarterfinal game between [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] and [[England national football team|England]]; and the [[1986 FIFA World Cup]]. the stadium hosted group matches featuring the [[Russia national football team|Soviet Union]], [[France national football team|France]], [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] and [[Canada men's national soccer team|Canada]], as well as a second-round match between the USSR and [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]].
Its address is Boulevard Adolfo Lopez Mateos 1810, Colonia La Martinique, CP 37500, León, Guanajuato, Mexico and has a capacity of 33,943 spectators. It is divided into four main areas: North Header (Sol 5), south Header (Sol 10), West (Preferred) and East (Zone A), in addition to more than 300 boxes.


On March 8, 2017, judiciary officials of the city of Leon determined that ownership of Estadio Leon is still in fact property of previous Club Leon owners Zermeño Reyes y Héctor González. It is unknown if negotiations will begin for Grupo Pachuca to purchase the stadium or if Club León will relocate after the 2017 Clausura season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/2017/03/08/estadio-leon-pasa-a-manos-de-roberto-zermeno|title=Ratifican que Estadio León pertenece a Roberto Zermeño|publisher=|accessdate=March 9, 2017}}</ref>
On 8 March 2017, judiciary officials of the city of León determined that ownership of Estadio Leon is the property of previous Club Leon owners Zermeño Reyes and Héctor González.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/2017/03/08/estadio-leon-pasa-a-manos-de-roberto-zermeno|title=Ratifican que Estadio León pertenece a Roberto Zermeño|access-date=March 9, 2017|archive-date=March 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308211356/http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/2017/03/08/estadio-leon-pasa-a-manos-de-roberto-zermeno|url-status=live}}</ref>


On 9 October 2020, the club departed from the stadium following a ruling that transferred ownership to a private interest. As a result, the club declared it would play its remainder of [[2020–21 Liga MX season#Torneo Guardianes|tournament]] matches at [[Estadio Victoria]], home stadium of [[Club Necaxa]].<ref>{{cite web|title=León stadium drama tops Liga MX headlines|url=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/16/leon-stadium-drama-liga-mx-headlines/|date=16 October 2020|website=Playingfor90.com|first=Thomas|last=Buckley|access-date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112071244/https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/16/leon-stadium-drama-liga-mx-headlines/|url-status=live}}</ref> The club returned following one match at their temporary stadium.
The current using stadium will become into a historical stadium and there, parts of the stadium will become into a museum. People will soon start building the new stadium in [[León, Guanajuato|León]] for the future team.

The stadium is planned to become a historical stadium with parts of the stadium being converted into a museum. Talks are in place to start building a new stadium in León for the future team though there is no set date.<ref name=Bolavip>[https://us.bolavip.com/soccer/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-club-leon-stadium-20201219-0007.html Everything you need to know about the new Club León stadium] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907161337/https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-club-leon-stadium-20201219-0007.html |date=September 7, 2022 }} https://us.bolavip.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103150310/https://us.bolavip.com/ |date=January 3, 2021 }}</ref>


==Rivalries==
==Rivalries==
The oldest rivalry of Club León is with [[Unión de Curtidores]], a rivalry which began as a derby because both teams reside in the city of León, Guanajuato. Unión de Curtidores was founded in 1928, and during its early years it was the dominant team in the city of León. However, when they joined the Liga Mayor (now [[Liga MX]]) in 1943, part of the team merged with Selección de Guanajuato, taking the name of Unión-León, which later became Club León, starting the rivalry between the two teams.
The oldest rival of Club León is [[Unión de Curtidores]], a rivalry which began as both teams reside in León, Guanajuato. Unión de Curtidores was founded in 1928, and during its early years, was the dominant team in León. When they joined the Liga Mayor (now [[Liga MX]]) in 1943, part of the team merged with Selección de Guanajuato and took the name of Unión-León, which later became Club León.


Despite the rivalry against Los Curtidores being the oldest in León, the most important today is against [[Irapuato F.C.|Irapuato]], with whom they star in the Clásico del Bajio, which has been fought in both the Primera División and the Primera División A (now [[Ascenso MX]]). The most exciting match between these two teams was in the final ascent match in 2003, which Irapuato won with a score of 2–1 at the Nou Camp courtyard and 1-0 at the [[Estadio Sergio León Chávez]], thus achieving the pass to the maximum circuit.
Despite the rivalry against Los Curtidores being the oldest in León, the prominent one today is against [[Irapuato F.C.|Irapuato]], who also appeared in the Clásico del Bajio, which has been fought in both the Primera División and the Primera División A (now [[Ascenso MX]]).


Another rivalry is with [[Pachuca C.F.]], mainly because of similar owners for the two clubs. On July 11, 2018, Club León and Pachuca met in a friendly match played in [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]], at [[Miller Park]], home of the [[Milwaukee Brewers]]. Pachuca won the match 3–1 in front of 18,321 fans.Despite that since Leon's return to first division they have won and gone to more finals than their rivals Pachuca. <ref>{{cite web|title=C.F. Pachuca beats Club Leon in third-ever friendly at Miller Park|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2018/07/11/pachuca-tops-leon-third-ever-soccer-match-miller-park/773272002|website=jsonline.com|access-date=13 July 2018|archive-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412145711/https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2018/07/11/pachuca-tops-leon-third-ever-soccer-match-miller-park/773272002/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Another very important rivalry is against [[Pachuca C.F.]] mainly because of similar owners for the two clubs. However it has only been recently that the teams have had a derby against each other due to the lack of games played between both clubs.


==Honours==
==Honours==
===National===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+Club León honours
|-
!Type
!Competition
!Titles
!Winning editions
!Runners-up
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[File:Flag of Mexico.svg|20px]]<br>'''Top division'''
!scope=col|[[Liga MX|Liga Mayor/Primera División/Liga MX]]
|'''8'''
|[[1947–48 Mexican Primera División season|1947–48]], [[1948–49 Mexican Primera División season|1948–49]], [[1951–52 Mexican Primera División season|1951–52]], [[1955–56 Mexican Primera División season|1955–56]], [[1991–92 Mexican Primera División season|1991–92]], [[2013–14 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura|Apertura 2013]], [[2013–14 Liga MX season#Torneo Clausura|Clausura 2014]], [[2020–21 Liga MX season#Torneo Guardianes 2020|Guardianes 2020]]
|[[1946–47 Mexican Primera División season|1946–47]], [[1958–59 Mexican Primera División season|1958–59]], [[1972–73 Mexican Primera División season|1972–73]], [[1974–75 Mexican Primera División season|1974–75]], [[1997–98 Mexican Primera División season#Torneo Invierno|Invierno 1997]], [[2018–19 Liga MX season#Torneo Clausura|Clausura 2019]], [[2021–22 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura|Apertura 2021]]
|-
!scope=col|[[Copa MX|Copa México/Copa Presidente/Copa MX]]
|'''5'''
|[[1948–49 Copa México|1948–49]], [[1957–58 Copa México|1957–58]], 1966–67, 1970–71, 1971–72
|[[1952–53 Copa México|1952–53]], [[1956–57 Copa México|1956–57]], [[1958–59 Copa México|1958–59]], 1965–66, [[Apertura 2015 Copa MX|Apertura 2015]]
|-
!scope=col|[[Campeón de Campeones]]
|'''5'''
|1948, 1949, 1956, 1971, 1972
|1952, 1958, 1967, [[2021 Campeón de Campeones|2021]]
|-
|rowspan="3"|'''Promotion divisions'''
!scope=col|[[Ascenso MX|Primera División A/Liga de Ascenso]]
|bgcolor="gold"|'''4'''{{smallsup|s}}
|[[2002–03 Primera División A season#Verano 2003|Verano 2003]], [[2003–04 Primera División A season#Clausura 2004|Clausura 2004]], [[Primera División A Clausura 2008|Clausura 2008]], [[2011–12 Liga de Ascenso season#Torneo Clausura|Clausura 2012]]
|[[2004–05 Primera División A season#Clausura 2005|Clausura 2005]], [[2006–07 Primera División A season#Clausura 2007|Clausura 2007]], [[2010 Liga de Ascenso Bicentenario|Bicentenario 2010]]
|-
!scope=col|[[Ascenso MX#Campeón de Ascenso|Campeón de Ascenso]]
|'''1'''
|[[2011–12 Liga de Ascenso season#Campeón de Ascenso|2011–12]]
|[[2002–03 Primera División A season#Campeón de Ascenso|2002–03]], [[2003–04 Primera División A season#Campeón de Ascenso|2003–04]], [[2007–08 Primera División A season#Campeón de Ascenso|2007–08]]
|-
!scope=col|[[Liga Premier de México|Segunda División]]
|'''1'''
|[[1989–90 Mexican Segunda División season|1989–90]]
|[[1987–88 Mexican Segunda División season|1987–88]]
|}


===Domestic===
===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;
|-
!Type
!Competition
!Titles
!Winning editions
!Runners-up
|-
|rowspan="1"|[[File:Concacaf logo.svg|20px]]<br>'''Continental [[CONCACAF]]'''
!scope=col|[[CONCACAF Champions Cup|CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League]]
|'''1'''
|[[2023 CONCACAF Champions League|2023]]
|[[1993 CONCACAF Champions' Cup|1993]]
|}


===Regional===
*'''[[Primera División de México|Liga MX]]: (7)'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;
::1947–48, 1948–49, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1991–92, Apertura 2013, Clausura 2014
|-
::Runner-up (5): 1946-47, 1958–59, 1972–73, 1974–75, Invierno 1997
!Type
!Competition
!Titles
!Winning editions
!Runners-up
|-
|rowspan="1"|[[File:Flag of the United States.svg|20px]] [[File:Flag of Canada.svg|20px]] [[File:Flag of Mexico.svg|20px]] '''North America [[MLS]]<br>[[Liga MX]]'''
!scope=col|[[Leagues Cup]]
|bgcolor="gold"|'''1'''{{smallsup|s}}
|[[2021 Leagues Cup|2021]]
|–
|}
;Notes:
* {{legend|gold|record}}
* {{smallsup|s}} shared record


===Friendly===
*'''[[Ascenso MX]]: (5)'''
* '''Torneo Triangular del Bajío''': 1957
::Temporada 1989–90, Clausura 2003, Clausura 2004, Clausura 2008, Clausura 2012
* '''Torneo Triangular Renovación''': 1974
::Runner-up (3): Clausura 2005, Clausura 2007, Bicentenario 2010
* '''Copa Bajío''': 2000
* '''Copa León''': 2004, 2012
* '''Copa Campeón de Campeones''': 2012
* '''[[Copa Pachuca]]''': 2012
* '''Copa Telcel''': 2013
* '''Copa Feria de León''': 2016
* '''Copa Guanajuato 200 Años''': 2024


==Current staff==
*'''[[Copa MX]]: (5)'''
===Management===
::1948–49, 1957–58, 1966–67, 1970–71, 1971–72
{{Fb cs header}}
::Runner-up (5): 1952–53, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1965–66, Apertura 2015
{{Fb cs staff|bg=#ADFF2F;|p=Chairman |s={{flagicon|MEX}} Jesús Martínez Murguia}}
{{Fb cs staff|bg=#ADFF2F;|p=Director of football |s={{flagicon|MEX}} Rodrigo Fernández }}
{{Fb cs staff|bg=red;|p=Director of academy|s={{flagicon|MEX}} Javier Santamaría}}
{{Fb cs staff|bg=#ADFF2F;|p=Secretary |s={{flagicon|MEX}} Ángel Meza}}
{{Fb cs footer|s= [http://ligamx.net/cancha/club/9/leon Liga MX]|date=May 2018}}{{updated|28 November 2022|{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} }}


===Coaching staff===
*'''[[Campeón de Campeones]]: (5)'''
{|class="wikitable
::1947–48, 1948–49, 1955–56, 1970–71, 1971–72
|-
::Runner-up (5): 1958, 1967, 1971, 1972, 2013
! style=background-color:#009977;color:White| Position

! style=background-color:#009977;color:White| Staff
===Friendly tournaments===
|-
* '''Copa León:''' 2004, 2012.
|-
* '''Torneo Cuna del Fútbol Mexicano:''' 2012.
|Manager|| {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Eduardo Berizzo]]
* '''Copa Telcel:''' 2013.
|-
* '''Runner up [[Trofeo Joan Gamper]]:''' 2014.
| rowspan="3"|Assistant managers|| {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Sebastián Rambert]]
|-
|{{flagicon|ARG}} Ernesto Marcucci
|-
|{{flagicon|URU}} [[Sebastián Maz]]
|-
|Goalkeeper coach|| {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Roberto Bonano]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| Fitness coaches|| {{flagicon|ARG}} Fernando Morelli
|-
|{{flagicon|MEX}} Mario Avendaño
|-
|rowspan="2"|Physiotherapists|| {{flagicon|MEX}} Víctor Vera
|-
|{{flagicon|MEX}} José Limón
|-
|Team doctor
|{{flagicon|MEX}} Valentín Villa
|}


==Players==
==Players==

===First-team squad===
===First-team squad===
<!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- DO NOT ADD new players before their signing is officially announced by the club.
-- DO NOT ADD new players before their signing is officially announced by the club.
-- !!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT ASSIGN UNREFERENCED JERSEYS NUMBERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- !!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT ASSIGN UNREFERENCED JERSEYS NUMBERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--!!!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT predict what a jersey number will be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--!!!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT predict what a jersey number will be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--REMEMBER that this club has the following numbers RETIRED: 8, 12, and 22
--REMEMBER that this club has the following numbers RETIRED: 8, 12, and 22
Line 207: Line 284:
– Players with international caps should NOT be bolded – as per Wikipedia:WikiProject_Football/Clubs
– Players with international caps should NOT be bolded – as per Wikipedia:WikiProject_Football/Clubs
– This is Wikipedia, NOT a football gazette.
– This is Wikipedia, NOT a football gazette.
– Any unconfirmed and unsourced signing/transfer WILL BE reverted at sight.
– Any unconfirmed and unsourced signing/transfer WILL BE reverted at sight.
– Thank You in advance.
– Thank You in advance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
{{updated|5 July 2024}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ligamx.net/cancha/club/9/leon|title=LIGA MX – Página Oficial de la Liga Mexicana del Fútbol Profesional|access-date=July 23, 2018|archive-date=July 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723082936/http://ligamx.net/cancha/club/9/leon|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=León anuncia la llegada de Omar Fernández como refuerzo|url=https://www.espn.com.mx/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/8755758/omar-fernandez-leon-anuncio-refuerzo-llega-de-puebla|website=ESPN|date=June 9, 2021|access-date=18 June 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200649/https://www.espn.com.mx/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/8755758/omar-fernandez-leon-anuncio-refuerzo-llega-de-puebla|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{updated|January 31, 2018|{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} }}
{{Fs start|nonumber=|bg=009977|color=FFFFFF}}
{{Fs start}}{{Fs player|no=1|nat=MEX|name=[[Carlos Felipe Rodríguez]]|pos=GK|other=on loan from [[Monarcas Morelia|Morelia]]}}
{{Fs player | no= 3 | nat=ARG | pos=DF | name= [[Guillermo Burdisso]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=1|nat=MEX|name=[[Alfonso Blanco (footballer)|Alfonso Blanco]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=PAR|name=[[Iván Piris]]|pos=DF|other=on loan from [[C.F. Monterrey|Monterrey]]}}
{{Fs player|no=2|nat=MEX|name=[[Mauricio Isais]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player | no= 5 | nat=MEX | pos=DF | name= [[Fernando Navarro Morán|Fernando Navarro]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=3|nat=MEX|name=[[Pedro Hernández (footballer, born 2000)|Pedro Hernández]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player | no= 6 | nat=MEX | pos=DF | name= [[Cristian Torres]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=MEX|name=[[Iván Moreno (Mexican footballer)|Iván Moreno]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player | no= 7 | nat=COL | pos=MF | name= [[Hernán Burbano]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=COL|name=[[Stiven Mendoza]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player | no= 8 | nat=MEX | pos=MF | name= [[Elías Hernández]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=MEX|name=[[Óscar Jiménez (footballer, born 1988)|Óscar Jiménez]]|pos=GK|other=on loan from [[Club América|América]]}}
{{Fs player | no= 9 | nat=CHI | pos=FW| name= [[Álvaro Ramos (footballer)|Álvaro Ramos]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=MEX|name=[[Ettson Ayón]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player | no= 10 | nat=MEX | pos=MF | name= [[Luis Montes]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|Vice-captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=COL|name=[[Edgar Guerra]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player | no= 11 | nat=COL|pos=MF|name=[[Andrés Andrade]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=MEX|name=[[Jesús Daniel Hernández|Jesús Hernández]]|pos=MF |other=on loan from [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]]}}
{{Fs player |no=13 |nat=COL|name=[[Alexander Mejía]]|pos=MF|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=URU|name=[[Diego Hernández (Uruguayan footballer)|Diego Hernández]]|pos=MF |other=on loan from [[Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas|Botafogo]]}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=ARG|pos=MF|name=[[Emanuel Cecchini]]|other=on loan from [[Málaga CF|Málaga]]}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=COL|name=[[Jaine Barreiro]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player | no= 17| nat=ARG | pos=FW | name= [[Mauro Boselli]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=ARG|pos=DF|name=[[Adonis Frías]]}}
{{Fs player | no= 19 | nat=MEX | pos=MF | name= [[Mauro Laínez]]|other=on loan from [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]]}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=MEX|name=Oscar García|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=MEX|name=[[Paul Bellón]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs mid|nonumber=|bg=009977|color=FFFFFF}}
{{Fs player|no=20 |nat=USA | pos=MF | name= [[Landon Donovan]]|other=}}
{{Fs player | no= 21 | nat=ARG | pos=FW| name= [[Maximiliano Cerato]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=MEX|name=[[Salvador Reyes (footballer, born 1998)|Salvador Reyes]]|pos=DF|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=MEX|pos=DF|name=[[Miguel Ángel Herrera]]|other=on loan from [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]]}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=MEX|name=Ángel Estrada|pos=MF|other=}}
{{Fs player | no= 23 | nat=CHI | pos=DF | name= [[Juan Cornejo]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=28|nat=MEX|name=[[David Ramírez (footballer, born 1995)|David Ramírez]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player | no= 24 | nat=MEX | pos=DF | name= [[Osvaldo Rodríguez del Portal|Osvaldo Rodríguez]]|other=on loan from [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]]}}
{{Fs player|no=29|nat=VEN|name=[[Jhonder Cádiz]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player | no= 25 | nat=USA | pos=GK | name= [[William Yarbrough]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=URU|name=[[Gonzalo Nápoli]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=COL|name=[[Andrés Mosquera Guardia|Andrés Mosquera]]|pos=DF|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=31|nat=MEX|name=Sebastián Santos |pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=Mexico|pos=MF|name=[[José Iván Rodríguez|José Rodríguez]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=32|nat=MEX|name=[[Luis Cervantes]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player | no= 31| nat=MEX | pos=FW| name= [[Claudio Ernesto González|Claudio González]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=33|nat=MEX|name=Héctor Uribe|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=33|nat=JAM|pos=FW|name=[[Giles Barnes]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=34|nat=MEX|name=Víctor Barajas|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=35|nat=MEX | pos=DF | name= [[Juan Ignacio González|Ignacio González]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|3rd captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=35|nat=MEX|name=Diego Luna |pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=—|nat=MEX|name=[[Rodolfo Cota]]|pos=GK|other=on loan from [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=MEX|name=[[Carlos Cisneros (footballer)|Carlos Cisneros]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=—|nat=COL|name=[[William Tesillo]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=MEX|name=Sebastián Fierro|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=—|nat=MEX|name=[[Miguel Tapias]]|pos=MF|other=on loan from [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=URU|name=[[Nicolás Fonseca]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ARG|pos=MF|name=[[Emiliano Rigoni]]}}
{{Fs end}}
{{Fs end|nonumber=|bg=009977|color=FFFFFF}}
{{For|recent transfers|List of Mexican football transfers winter 2017–18}}
{{For|recent transfers|List of Mexican football transfers summer 2024}}


===Out on loan===
===Out on loan===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs start|nonumber=|bg=009977|color=FFFFFF}}
{{Fs player|no= —|nat=MEX|pos=DF|name=[[Luis Antonio Delgado|Luis Delgado]]|other=loan to [[Correcaminos UAT|UAT]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=MEX|name=[[Rodolfo Cota]]|pos=GK|other=at [[Club América|América]]}}
{{Fs player|no= —|nat=MEX|pos=DF|name=[[Jonny Magallón]]|other=loan to [[Mineros de Zacatecas|Zacatecas]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ECU|name=[[Byron Castillo]]|pos=DF|other=at [[Barcelona S.C.]]}}
{{Fs player | no= — | nat=ARG | pos=DF | name= [[Diego Novaretti]]|other=loan to [[Querétaro F.C.|Querétaro]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=MEX|name=[[Óscar Villa (footballer, born 2001)|Óscar Villa]]|pos=DF|other=at [[Cancún F.C.|Cancún]]}}
{{Fs player|no= —|nat=MEX|pos=DF|name=[[Arturo Ortíz Martínez|Arturo Ortíz]]|other=loan to [[Correcaminos UAT|UAT]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=COL|name=[[Omar Fernández]]|pos=MF|other=at [[Everton de Viña del Mar|Everton]]}}
{{Fs mid|nonumber=|bg=009977|color=FFFFFF}}
{{Fs player|no= —|nat=MEX|pos=DF|name=[[Iván Pineda]]|other=loan to [[Correcaminos UAT|UAT]]}}
{{Fs player|no= —|nat=MEX|pos=DF|name=[[Óscar Suárez]]|other=loan to [[Mineros de Zacatecas|Zacatecas]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=URU|name=[[Federico Martínez (footballer, born 1996)|Federico Martínez]]|pos=MF|other=at [[Everton de Viña del Mar|Everton]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=URU|name=[[Alan Medina Silva|Alan Medina]]|pos=MF|other=at [[Peñarol]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no= —|nat=MEX|pos=MF|name=[[Diego de la Tejera]]|other=loan to [[Celaya F.C.|Celaya]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=MEX|name=[[José Iván Rodríguez]]|pos=MF|other=at [[Club Necaxa|Necaxa]]}}
{{Fs player | no= — | nat=MEX | pos=MF | name= [[Leonel López]]|other=loan to [[Deportivo Toluca F.C.|Toluca]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=URU|name=[[Federico Viñas]]|pos=FW|other=at [[Real Oviedo|Oviedo]]}}
{{Fs end|nonumber=|bg=009977|color=FFFFFF}}
{{Fs player|no= —|nat=MEX|pos=FW|name=[[Mauricio Castañeda]]|other=loan to [[Murciélagos F.C.|Murciélagos]]}}
{{Fs player|no= —|nat=MEX|pos=FW|name=[[Aldo Magaña]]|other=loan to [[Celaya C.D.|Celaya]]}}
{{Fs player|no=—|nat=MEX|name=[[Luis Nieves]]|pos=FW|other=loan to [[Leones Negros UdeG|UdeG]]}}
{{Fs player|no= —|nat=COL|pos=FW|name=[[Yamilson Rivera]]|other=loan to [[América de Cali]]}}
{{Fs end}}


=== Top Goalscorers ===
===Reserve teams===
{{Main article|Club León Reserves and Academy|l1=León Reserves and Academy}}

;León GEN
:Reserve team that plays in the [[Liga TDP]], the fourth level of the Mexican league system.

===Former players===

* {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Mauro Boselli]]
* {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Isaac Ayipei]]

===Top goal scorers===
{| cellpadding="2" border=1 cellspacing="0" style="margin: 0.5em 1em 0.5em 0; LightSkyBlue: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;" width=70%
{| cellpadding="2" border=1 cellspacing="0" style="margin: 0.5em 1em 0.5em 0; LightSkyBlue: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;" width=70%
|- align=center bgcolor=#009975 style="color:#FFFFFF; border: 1px #aaa solid;"
|- align=center bgcolor=#009975 style="color:#FFFFFF; border: 1px #aaa solid;"
!width="20"|No.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Aqui Mexico |url=http://www.aquimexico.com.mx/reportaje-maximos-goleadores-de-la-historia-del-leon/1743/ |title=Reportaje. Máximos goleadores de la historia del León |date=14 August 2014 |accessdate=22 September 2014}}</ref>
!width="20"|N°<ref>{{cite web|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032556/http://www.aquimexico.com.mx/reportaje-maximos-goleadores-de-la-historia-del-leon/1743/|date=14 August 2014|publisher=Aquí México|title=Reportaje. Máximos goleadores de la historia del León|url=http://www.aquimexico.com.mx/reportaje-maximos-goleadores-de-la-historia-del-leon/1743/}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
!width="200"|Name<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesl/leon.html |title=Máximos anotadores de todos los tiempos |access-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-date=November 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127030753/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesl/leon.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
!width="200"|Name
!Season
!width="50"|LEA
!width="50"|LEAGUE
!width="50"|2ND DIV
!width="50"|CUP
!width="50"|CUP
!width="50"|CDC
!width="50"|CDC
Line 272: Line 359:
!width="50"|Total
!width="50"|Total
|-align="center"
|-align="center"
| 1 || {{Bandera|Mexico}} [[Adalberto López|Adalberto "Dumbo" López]] || 126 || 9 || 1 || - || - || '''136'''
| 1 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Adalberto López]]<ref name="leon">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesl/leon.html|title=Club León}}</ref>|| 1946 - 50 (5) || 126 || - || 9 || 1 || - || - || '''136'''
|-align="center"
|-align="center"
|2|| {{Bandera|Argentina}} '''[[Mauro Boselli]]''' ||90||11|| - || 1 || 4 ||'''109'''
| 2 || {{flagicon|Argentina}} {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mauro Boselli]]<ref name="leon" />|| 2013 - 18 (5) || 105 || - || 20 || - || 1 || 4 ||'''130'''
|- align="center"
| 3 || {{Bandera|Brasil}} [[Tita]] || 88 || 2 || - || 7 || - || '''97'''
|-align="center"
|-align="center"
| 4 || {{Bandera|Argentina}} Roberto Salomone || 96 || |||||| || '''96'''
| 3 || {{flagicon|Argentina}} {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Marcos Aurelio Di Paulo|Marcos Aurelio]]<ref name="leon" /> || 1944 - 48/ 1951 - 56 (6) || 98 || - || 10 || - || - || - || '''108'''
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|5|| {{Bandera|Argentina}} Marcos Aurelio || 91 || 1 |||| - || - || '''92'''
| 4 || {{flagicon|Argentina}} Roberto Salomone<ref name="leon" />|| 1971 - 77 (6) || 95 || - || 9 || - || - || - || '''104'''
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|5|| {{Bandera|Mexico}} [[Luis Estrada (futbolista)|Luis Estrada]] || 91 || - || 1 |||| - || '''92'''
| 5 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Luis Estrada (footballer)|Luis Estrada]]<ref name="leon" />|| 1965 - 73 / 1978 - 79 (9) || 90 || - || 11 || 1 || - || - || '''102'''
|-align="center"
|-align="center"
| 7 || {{Bandera|Argentina}} Oswaldo Martinoli || 77 || - || 2 |||| - || '''79'''
| 6 || {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Tita (footballer, born 1958)|Tita]] || 1990 - 94/ 1995 - 97 (6) || 88 || - || 2 || - || 7 || - || '''97'''
|- align="center"
| 7 || {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Oswaldo Martinolli]] || 1955 - 61 (5) || 74 || - || 15 || 2 || -|| - || '''91'''
|-align="center"
|-align="center"
| 8 || {{Bandera|Mexico}} [[Sergio Anaya]] || 55 || - || - |||| - || '''55'''
| 8 || {{flagicon|Ecuador}} '''[[Ángel Mena ]]''' || 2019 - Act. (4) || 67 || - || 2 || - || 7 || - || '''76'''
|-align="center"
|-align="center"
| 9 || {{Bandera|Mexico}} [[Carlos Alberto Peña |Carlos Peña]] || 46|| 4 || - || - || 3 || '''53'''
| 9 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Sergio Anaya]] || 1966 - 72 (7) || 53 || - || 7 || - || -|| - || '''60'''
|-align="center"
|-align="center"
| 10 || {{Bandera|Argentina}} [[Alberto Jorge]] || 52 || - || - || - || - || '''52'''
| 10 || {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Alberto Etcheverry]] || 1958 - 61 (3) || 37 || - || 20 || - || - || - || '''57'''
|-align="center"
|-align="center"
| 11 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Luis Montes Jiménez|Luis Montes]] || 2011 - 2022 (11) || 47 || 7 || 1 || - || - || 1 || '''56'''

|-align="center"
| 12 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Luis Luna Barragán|Luis Luna]] || 1945 - 1962 (17) || 47 || - || 6 || - || - || - || '''53'''
|-align="center"
| 13 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Carlos Peña Rodríguez|Carlos Peña]] || 2011 - 15 / 2017 (6) || 38 || 6 || 5 || - || - || 3 || '''52'''
|-align="center"
| 14 || {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Alberto Jorge]] || 1976 - 80 (4) || 51 || - || - || - || - || - || '''51'''
|-align="center"
| 15 || {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Juan José Valiente]] ||1970-1972 (2) || 45 || - || - || - || - || - || '''45'''
|- align="center"
| 16 || {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Evanivaldo Castro|Cabinho]]|| 1983 - 85 (2) ||44 || - || - || - || - || - || '''44'''
|- align="center"
| 17 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Everaldo Begines]]|| 1997 - 00 (3) || 43 || - || - || - || 1 || - || '''44'''
|- align="center"
| 18 || {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Héctor Carlos Álvarez|Hector Carlos Álvarez]] || 2005/2006-2007 || - || 44 || - || - || - || - || '''44'''
|- align="center"
| 19 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} '''[[Elías Hernández]]''' || 2013 - 2018/2021 - Act. (5) || 36 || - || 2 || - || 3 || - || '''41'''
|- align="center"
| 20 || {{flagicon|Uruguay}}[[Nelson Sebastián Maz]]|| 2011-2014 || 9 || 27 || - || - || - || 1 || '''37'''
|- align="center"
| 21 || {{flagicon|Ghana}} [[Isaac Ayipei]]|| 1992-1995 (3) || 35 || - || - || - || 1 || - || '''36'''
|- align="center"
| 22 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Luis Nieves]]|| 2006-2012 (6) || 36 || - || - || - || - || - || '''36'''
|- align="center"
| 23 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Sigifredo Mercado]] || 1995 - 99 / 2000 - 01 / 2003 (6) || 33 || - || 1 || - || 1 || - || '''35'''
|- align="center"
| 24 || {{flagicon|Chile}} [[Víctor Dávila]] || 2020-2023 || 30 || - || - || - || 3 || - || '''33'''
|- align="center"
| 25 || {{flagicon|Paraguay}} [[Fredy Bareiro]] || 2007-2008 || - || 30 || - || - || - || - || '''30'''
|- align="center"
| 26 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Martín Peña (footballer)|Martín Peña]]|| 1990 - 92 / 1995 - 99 / 2001 (7) || 26 || - || 1 || - || - || - || '''27'''
|-align="center"
| 27 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Bardo Fierros]]|| 2004 - 2007 || - || 27 || - || - || - || - || '''27'''
|-align="center"
| 28 || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mauricio Romero (Mexican footballer)|Mauricio Romero]]|| 2007 - 2008 || - || 26 || - || - || - || - || '''26'''
|-align="center"
| 29 ||{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Missael Espinoza]]||1997-1998 / 1999-2002 (4) || 23 || - || - || - || - || - || '''23'''
|}
|}


*'''Bold:''' Current players on the club.
===Reserve teams===
*LEAGUE=First category league, 2ND DIV=Second category leagues, CUP=Copa Mexico, CDC=Campeon de Campeones Cup, CON=CONCAFAC Champions Cup, LIB=Libertadores Cup
{{Main article|Club León Reserves and Academy|l1=León Reserves and Academy}}
* In case of tie, they are ordered by chronological order (oldest goes first).

'''[[Club León Premier|León Premier]]'''
:Reserve team that plays in the [[Segunda División de México|Segunda División]] in the third level of the Mexican league system.

==Current staff==
{{updated|January 31, 2017|{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} }}
*'''Manager''': {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Gustavo Diaz]]
*'''Assistant manager''': {{flagicon|ARG}} Diego Torrente
*'''Assistant manager''': {{flagicon|ARG}} Gustavo San Juan
*'''Assistant manager''': {{flagicon|ARG}} Fernando Dortti
*'''Fitness coach''': {{flagicon|COL}} Carlos María Velázquez
*'''Fitness coach''': {{flagicon|COL}} Wiston Cifuentes
*'''Goalkeeper coach''': {{flagicon|COL}} Mario Marín
*'''Physiotherapist''': {{flagicon|COL}} Diego Sarate
*'''Doctor''': {{flagicon|MEX}} Valentín Villa
*'''Doctor''': {{flagicon|COL}} Gustavo Vinaco
*'''Doctor''': {{flagicon|COL}} Carlos Osorio


==Managers==
==Managers==
{{col-start}}
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
*{{flagicon|Spain|1945}} [[Antonio López Herranz]] (1951–52), (1955–56), (1957–58)
{{col-2}}
*{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Antonio López Herranz]] (1951–52), (1955–56), (1957–58)
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Luis Grill Prieto]] (1966–67), (1970)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Antonio Carbajal]] (1969–70), (1970–72)
*{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Árpád Fekete]] (1981)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Juan Ricardo Faccio]] (1982)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Juan Ricardo Faccio]] (1982)
*{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Árpád Fekete]] (1983–85)
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Pedro García Barros]] (1987–88)
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Pedro García Barros]] (1987–88)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Víctor Manuel Vucetich]] (1989–1993)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Víctor Manuel Vucetich]] (1989–1993)
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Sebastiao Lazaroni]] (1993–94)
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Sebastiao Lazaroni]] (1993–94)
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Roberto Saporiti]] (1994)
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Roberto Saporiti]] (1994)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Carlos Miloc]] (1995–1996)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[José Luis Saldívar]] (1996)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[José Luis Saldívar]] (1996)
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Carlos Reinoso]] (1997)
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Carlos Reinoso]] (1997)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Aníbal Ruiz]] (1997–98)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Aníbal Ruiz]] (1997–98)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Alberto Guerra]] (1998)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Alberto Guerra (footballer)|Alberto Guerra]] (1998)
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Carlos Reinoso]] (1999–00)
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Carlos Reinoso]] (1999–00)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[José Luis Saldívar]] (2000)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[José Luis Saldívar]] (2000)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Enrique López Zarza]] (March 27, 2001 – April 16, 2001)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Enrique López Zarza]] (March 27, 2001 – April 16, 2001)
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Pablo Centrone]] (2001–03)
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Pablo Centrone]] (2001–03)
{{col-2}}
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Efraín Flores]] (2002)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Efraín Flores]] (2002)
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Carlos Reinoso]] (2003)
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Carlos Reinoso]] (2003)
Line 338: Line 448:
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Sergio Bueno]] (January 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Sergio Bueno]] (January 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mario García Covalles|Mario García]] (July 1, 2008 – October 13, 2008)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mario García Covalles|Mario García]] (July 1, 2008 – October 13, 2008)
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Luis Scatolaro]] (May 28, 2009 – June 4, 2009)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Salvador Luis Reyes|Salvador Reyes]] (July 1, 2009 – October 24, 2009)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Salvador Luis Reyes|Salvador Reyes]] (July 1, 2009 – October 24, 2009)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[José Luis Salgado]] (January 1, 2010 – July 24, 2010)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[José Luis Salgado]] (January 1, 2010 – July 24, 2010)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Sergio Orduña]] (August 7, 2010 – August 22, 2010)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Sergio Orduña]] (August 7, 2010 – August 22, 2010)
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Pintado (footballer)|Pintado]] (September 10, 2010 – December 31, 2010)
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Pintado (footballer)|Pintado]] (September 10, 2010 – December 31, 2010)
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Tita]] (January 1, 2011 – September 14, 2011)
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Tita (footballer, born 1958)|Tita]] (January 1, 2011 – September 14, 2011)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Pedro Muñoz de la Torre|Pedro Muñoz]] (September 15, 2011 – December 31, 2011)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Pedro Muñoz de la Torre|Pedro Muñoz]] (September 15, 2011 – December 31, 2011)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Gustavo Matosas]] (January 1, 2012 – November 24, 2014)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Gustavo Matosas]] (January 1, 2012 – November 24, 2014)
*{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Juan Antonio Pizzi]] (November 24, 2014 – January 28, 2016)
*{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Juan Antonio Pizzi]] (November 24, 2014 – January 28, 2016)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Luis Fernando Tena]] (Feb,2016-Sep,2016)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Luis Fernando Tena]] (February 2016 – August 2016)
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Javier Torrente]] (Sep,2016-Sep,2017)
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Javier Torrente]] (August 2016 – August 2017)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Gustavo Díaz]] (Sep,2017-Present)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Gustavo Díaz]] (September 2017 – September 2018)
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Ignacio Ambríz]] (September 2018 – May 2021)
{{col-end}}
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Ariel Holan]] (May 2021 – April 2022)
*{{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Renato Paiva]] (May 2022 – November 2022)
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Nicolás Larcamón]] (November 2022 – December 2023)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Jorge Bava]] (December 2023 – September 2024)
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Eduardo Berizzo]] (September 2024 – present)
{{div col end}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
<small>[http://www.iffhs.de/?32b0cfd380ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20f83617f23808f16 Full list published by IFFHS on 8 October 2009]</small>
*<small>[http://www.iffhs.de/?32b0cfd380ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20f83617f23808f16 Full list published by IFFHS on 8 October 2009]</small>


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.clubleon.mx/plantilla.php}} {{in lang|es}}
{{Portal|Association football|Mexico}}
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Official website|http://www.clubleon-fc.com}} {{es icon}}


{{Liga MX}}
{{Mexican Primera División}}
{{CONCACAF Champions League Winners}}
{{Portal bar|Association football|Mexico}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Club Leon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leon}}
[[Category:Club León| ]]
[[Category:Club León| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Guanajuato|Leon]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Guanajuato]]
[[Category:León, Guanajuato]]
[[Category:León, Guanajuato|Club Leon]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1944]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1944]]
[[Category:1944 establishments in Mexico]]
[[Category:1944 establishments in Mexico]]

Latest revision as of 21:43, 10 January 2025

This article is about the men's football club. For the women's football club, see Club León (women).

León
Full nameClub León
Nickname(s)Los Panzas Verdes (The Green Bellies)
La Fiera (The Wild Beast)
Los Esmeraldas (The Emeralds)
Los Verdiblancos (The Green and Whites)
FoundedAugust 20, 1944; 80 years ago (1944-08-20), as Unión-León
GroundEstadio León
Capacity27,423[1]
OwnerGrupo Pachuca
ChairmanJesús Martínez Murguia
ManagerEduardo Berizzo
LeagueLiga MX
Apertura 2024Regular phase: 11th
Final phase: Did not qualify
Websiteclubleon.mx
Current season

Club León is a Mexican professional football club based in León, Guanajuato, that competes in Liga MX, the top division of Mexican football. The club was founded in 1944 as Unión-León, after the merger of Unión de Curtidores and the Selección de Guanajuato.

León has won the Primera División de México/Liga MX title eight times in 1948, 1949, 1952, 1956, 1992, the Apertura in 2013, the Clausura in 2014, and Guardianes 2020. After winning the League and the México Cup in 1949, it became the first Mexican campeonísimo. León finished as runners-up for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup in 1993 and won the competition (renamed the Champions League) in 2023 against Los Angeles FC.

The team were relegated to the Liga de Ascenso in 2002 and were a consistent contender for promotion, but failed to advance in the playoffs. León were promoted in the Clasura 2012 and won the Liga MX's Apertura 2013.[2] They defended their league championship in Clausura 2014, earning them the title of "bicampeones". The team has partnerships with Fox Sports Latinoamérica in Mexico and Telemundo Deportes in the U.S. Since 2016, TUDN holds the U.S. broadcasting rights to León home games.

León is ranked No. 29 in the IFFHS Central and North America's best clubs of the 20th century.[3]

History

[edit]

The club was created from an application by Unión de Curtidores which merged with Selección de Guanajuato. With the money raised, the directive hired Marcial Ortiz, Raul Varela, Alfonso Montemayor, Salvador Ramírez, Conrado Muniz, Vicente Serrano, Pepe Cortes, "Sticks" Ramírez, Elpidio Sánchez, and Joaquín Source Duillo Dobles. It participated in the Liga Mayor's second season (1944–45). The team comprised Argentinian players and Miguel Rugilo that served as coach and goalkeeper holder. Battaglia played defense plus two fronts; Marcos Aurelio scored 14 goals with Ángel Fernández. The team debuted at Patria Stadium on August 20, 1944, against Atlante and lost by a score of 5–3.

In the 1945–46 season another team appeared in the city: the San Sebastián de León. They placed fourth out of 16 teams with 30 games, 17 wins, 4 draws, 9 losses for 38 points. Their top scorer, with 24 goals, Alberto Mendoza.

In the 1946–47 season notable players joined, one of whom was Adalberto Lopez, who scored 33 goals. In general, the team had a great campaign being runner-up with 41 points and maintained a fourteen-game winning streak. Another important element was Marcos Aurelio, who highlighted with 16 goals. A match against Atlante was scheduled place in Mexico City on June 1, 1947, in the Stadium Insurgentes (now Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes) which took place in León, but had to switch venues due to an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease afflicting the Bajío region

In a match against Club America on May 9, 1946, Florencio Caffaratti accidentally touched an electrical wire after scoring a goal. Alfonso Montemayor rescued him. Subsequently, Caffaratti gave a gold coin to Montemayor with the inscription: "In appreciation of Montemayor by F. Caffaratti."

1947–48

[edit]
See also: 1947–48 Mexican Primera División season

When José María Casullo coached Club León, the greens lost seven times, three of them against Atlas Gold. The team tied at 36 points with the Jalisco Gold at first place. Jalisco Gold broke the tie with a score of 2–0.

1948–49

[edit]
See also: 1948–49 Mexican Primera División season

Club León defeated Asturias 2–0 with goals by Adalberto López to prevent a tie with Atlas and Guadalajara who remained a point, and Leon became the first to win the tournament campeonísimo cup after defeating Atlante 3–0 on August 14, 1949.

1951–52

[edit]

Club León switched coaches to Antonio López Herranz. Antonio Carbajal joined the team with the return of Marcos Aurelio, Sergio Bravo, and Saturnino Martínez. The team played against a Guadalajara team coached by José María Casullo. León won both games of the year with scores of 1–0. In the penultimate round, León lost to Guadalajara by 1 point.

In the following season, the team remained in third place at 27 points. For the 1953–54 season it finished eighth with 21 points.

1955–56

[edit]

The season's roster increased to 14 teams. León won the best streak in club history with 12 wins and 7 draws before losing against Tampico (1–0). The final game was played at the University Olympic Stadium Mexico City, where León defeated Oro (4–2) and Toluca.

In 1956–57 León lost to Guadalajara. In 1957–58 they reached fifth place but won the Cup title.

1960s

[edit]

León remained in fifth place in the 1960–61 season with 26 points, fifth place in 1961–62 with 25 points, ninth place in 1962–63 with 25 points, ninth place in 1963–64 with 25 points, seventh place in 1964–65 with 30 points, ninth place in 1965–66 with 28 points, fifth place in 1966–67 with 34 points, fifth place in 1967–68 with 35 points, seventh place in 1968–69 with 31 points, and seventh place in 1969–70 with 31 points and when Hugo Sanchez join club leon they won the apertura 1975 si club leon was the best team back in the days on the 70s and late 80s.

1970s

[edit]

For the Mexico 70 Tourney, there were two technical changes: the starter Argentine Luis Grill was replaced, but was reinstated after Antonio Carbajal left, as a result, left with 33 points to fourth overall Sergio Anaya new stand becomes scorer the contest with 16 touchdowns, while Luis Estrada mark 13 goals. 1970–71 players arrive, Jorge Davino, Roberto Salomone and Juan Valiente who scored ten goals, the club was led by Carbajal and ranked fourth with 38 points.

In 1972–73, initiate driven A. Carbajal was replaced by Rafael Albrecht that served as player and coach. The final game was against Cruz Azul.

In 1973–74 the team failed to qualify at fifth place with 40 points.

First relegation

[edit]

In 1986–87 Jorge Davino scored 10 points in 19 days and start the 31 day leon when back to second division and they appear back on first division on May 10, 2012 and they won the Apertura when they arrived to first division.

1990s

[edit]

The Esmeraldas returned to the Primera División for the 1990–91 season and were coached by Victor Manuel Vucetich, who debuted in the top flight and led the entire tournament. He led the club in sixth place with 41 points but did not qualify to be third in group 3, and Martin Uribe Francisco Peña highlighted with 13 and 12 goals.

Second relegation

[edit]

Robert Zermeno cost the team and landed them in last place with 19 points.

After relegation, the club was sold to Argentine businessman Carlos Ahumada.

On 19 November 2010, Grupo Pachuca purchased the club.[4]

Return to Primera División

[edit]

Argentine Gustavo Matosas began leading León on 7 January 2012, after being hired in September 2011.[5] During the Apertura 2011 campaign, he could not have a presence off the bench or be registered as coach because he had coached Querétaro FC in the same tournament. Matosas' 10 wins, 4 draws, and 0 defeats in 14 regular season fixtures, resulted in an ERA of 70.83% and the overall leader, helping them earn a direct qualification to semi-finals of the play-offs. In the semi-finals, they faced Correcaminos UAT and won 1–0 in the second match before facing the Lobos BUAP in the final, winning by an aggregate score of 7–3 and the right to play again in the Promotional Final. Facing 2011 Apertura championship winners Correcaminos UAT, León won by an aggregate score of 6–2, thus returning to the Mexican top-flight for the 2012–13 season.[6] León had struggled for their fourth final for promotion after losing against Irapuato in 2003, Dorados de Sinaloa in 2005, and Indios de Ciudad Juárez in 2008.

León won both tournaments (the Apertura and Clausura) of the 2013–14 season and became the first team in Mexico's history to win two consecutive championship titles twice — winning the first of these during the 1947–48 and 1948–49 leagues consecutively.[7][8]

Matosas and León parted ways after failing to make it to the 2014 Apertura championship stage.[9] Argentine Juan Antonio Pizzi was named as his replacement.[10]

On 31 January 2016, following a 3–1 away loss to Tigres UANL, Pizzi left the charge to join Chile as their new manager and was subsequently replaced by Luis Fernando Tena.[11] The club managed to reach the semi-final stage of the Clausura championship, losing out to sibling club and eventual winners C.F. Pachuca with an aggregate score of 3–2.[12]

Following a lackluster beginning to the 2016 Apertura where León summed up 4 points within 7 league matches, Tena was let go and Argentina Javier Torrente was brought in.[13][14] Regardless of the uninspiring start, the club managed to reach the championship stage, losing to eventual winners Tigres UANL in the semi-finals by an aggregate score of 3–1.[15]

In August 2017, Torrente was let go after a year as manager[16] and was replaced by Gustavo Díaz.[17]

On 18 September 2018, Ignacio Ambríz was named manager of León, replacing Díaz.[18] During the 2019 Clausura, he helped León attain the records of most consecutive wins with eleven[19] and the most points attained during the 17-match tournament format (41 points).[20] They faced Tigres UANL in the Clausura championship final but lost following an aggregate score of 1–0.[21] Regardless, Ambríz's feats with the club contributed to him being named best manager at the conclusion of the season.[22]

After a first place finish with 40 points in the Guardianes 2020 general table, on 13 December, León won the league title defeating Club Universidad Nacional with an aggregate score of 3–1, becoming Mexico's joint fourth most successful team with eight titles in total alongside Cruz Azul.[23]

León Stadium

[edit]
Night view of the León Stadium.

Estadio León (unofficially known as "Nou Camp") is a football stadium in León, Guanajuato, Mexico. The stadium hosts Club León and some lower division teams and subsidiaries. It is also used for special events such as presentations and musicals.

Construction of the stadium started on August 18, 1965, and at the end of 1966, the finished building that would house Los Esmeraldas was completed.

On 1 February 1967, the stadium was inaugurated with a match between Santos of Brazil and River Plate of Argentina, ending in a 2–1 victory for Santos.

Estadio León has hosted 2 World Cups: the first was 1970 FIFA World Cup, with guests like West Germany, Peru, Bulgaria and Morocco, as well as hosting the quarterfinal game between West Germany and England; and the 1986 FIFA World Cup. the stadium hosted group matches featuring the Soviet Union, France, Hungary and Canada, as well as a second-round match between the USSR and Belgium.

On 8 March 2017, judiciary officials of the city of León determined that ownership of Estadio Leon is the property of previous Club Leon owners Zermeño Reyes and Héctor González.[24]

On 9 October 2020, the club departed from the stadium following a ruling that transferred ownership to a private interest. As a result, the club declared it would play its remainder of tournament matches at Estadio Victoria, home stadium of Club Necaxa.[25] The club returned following one match at their temporary stadium.

The stadium is planned to become a historical stadium with parts of the stadium being converted into a museum. Talks are in place to start building a new stadium in León for the future team though there is no set date.[26]

Rivalries

[edit]

The oldest rival of Club León is Unión de Curtidores, a rivalry which began as both teams reside in León, Guanajuato. Unión de Curtidores was founded in 1928, and during its early years, was the dominant team in León. When they joined the Liga Mayor (now Liga MX) in 1943, part of the team merged with Selección de Guanajuato and took the name of Unión-León, which later became Club León.

Despite the rivalry against Los Curtidores being the oldest in León, the prominent one today is against Irapuato, who also appeared in the Clásico del Bajio, which has been fought in both the Primera División and the Primera División A (now Ascenso MX).

Another rivalry is with Pachuca C.F., mainly because of similar owners for the two clubs. On July 11, 2018, Club León and Pachuca met in a friendly match played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. Pachuca won the match 3–1 in front of 18,321 fans.Despite that since Leon's return to first division they have won and gone to more finals than their rivals Pachuca. [27]

Honours

[edit]

National

[edit]
Club León honours
Type Competition Titles Winning editions Runners-up

Top division 		Liga Mayor/Primera División/Liga MX 8 1947–48, 1948–49, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1991–92, Apertura 2013, Clausura 2014, Guardianes 2020 1946–47, 1958–59, 1972–73, 1974–75, Invierno 1997, Clausura 2019, Apertura 2021
Copa México/Copa Presidente/Copa MX 5 1948–49, 1957–58, 1966–67, 1970–71, 1971–72 1952–53, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1965–66, Apertura 2015
Campeón de Campeones 5 1948, 1949, 1956, 1971, 1972 1952, 1958, 1967, 2021
Promotion divisions Primera División A/Liga de Ascenso 4s Verano 2003, Clausura 2004, Clausura 2008, Clausura 2012 Clausura 2005, Clausura 2007, Bicentenario 2010
Campeón de Ascenso 1 2011–12 2002–03, 2003–04, 2007–08
Segunda División 1 1989–90 1987–88

International

[edit]
Type Competition Titles Winning editions Runners-up

Continental CONCACAF 		CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League 1 2023 1993

Regional

[edit]
Type Competition Titles Winning editions Runners-up
North America MLS
Liga MX 		Leagues Cup 1s 2021 –
Notes
  •   record
  • s shared record

Friendly

[edit]
  • Torneo Triangular del Bajío: 1957
  • Torneo Triangular Renovación: 1974
  • Copa Bajío: 2000
  • Copa León: 2004, 2012
  • Copa Campeón de Campeones: 2012
  • Copa Pachuca: 2012
  • Copa Telcel: 2013
  • Copa Feria de León: 2016
  • Copa Guanajuato 200 Años: 2024

Current staff

[edit]

Management

[edit]
Position Staff
Chairman Mexico Jesús Martínez Murguia
Director of football Mexico Rodrigo Fernández
Director of academy Mexico Javier Santamaría
Secretary Mexico Ángel Meza

Source: Liga MX

As of 28 November 2022[citation needed]

Coaching staff

[edit]
Position Staff
Manager Argentina Eduardo Berizzo
Assistant managers Argentina Sebastián Rambert
Argentina Ernesto Marcucci
Uruguay Sebastián Maz
Goalkeeper coach Argentina Roberto Bonano
Fitness coaches Argentina Fernando Morelli
Mexico Mario Avendaño
Physiotherapists Mexico Víctor Vera
Mexico José Limón
Team doctor Mexico Valentín Villa

Players

[edit]

First-team squad

[edit]
As of 5 July 2024[28][29]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Mexico MEX Alfonso Blanco
2 DF Mexico MEX Mauricio Isais
3 DF Mexico MEX Pedro Hernández
7 DF Mexico MEX Iván Moreno
11 FW Colombia COL Stiven Mendoza
12 GK Mexico MEX Óscar Jiménez (on loan from América)
14 FW Mexico MEX Ettson Ayón
15 MF Colombia COL Edgar Guerra
17 MF Mexico MEX Jesús Hernández (on loan from Pachuca)
19 MF Uruguay URU Diego Hernández (on loan from Botafogo)
21 DF Colombia COL Jaine Barreiro
22 DF Argentina ARG Adonis Frías
23 GK Mexico MEX Oscar García
25 DF Mexico MEX Paul Bellón
No. Pos. Nation Player
26 DF Mexico MEX Salvador Reyes
27 MF Mexico MEX Ángel Estrada
28 MF Mexico MEX David Ramírez
29 FW Venezuela VEN Jhonder Cádiz
30 MF Uruguay URU Gonzalo Nápoli
31 MF Mexico MEX Sebastián Santos
32 DF Mexico MEX Luis Cervantes
33 MF Mexico MEX Héctor Uribe
34 DF Mexico MEX Víctor Barajas
35 DF Mexico MEX Diego Luna
— MF Mexico MEX Carlos Cisneros
— MF Mexico MEX Sebastián Fierro
— MF Uruguay URU Nicolás Fonseca
— MF Argentina ARG Emiliano Rigoni
For recent transfers, see List of Mexican football transfers summer 2024.

Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK Mexico MEX Rodolfo Cota (at América)
— DF Ecuador ECU Byron Castillo (at Barcelona S.C.)
— DF Mexico MEX Óscar Villa (at Cancún)
— MF Colombia COL Omar Fernández (at Everton)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF Uruguay URU Federico Martínez (at Everton)
— MF Uruguay URU Alan Medina (at Peñarol)
— MF Mexico MEX José Iván Rodríguez (at Necaxa)
— FW Uruguay URU Federico Viñas (at Oviedo)

Reserve teams

[edit]
Main article: León Reserves and Academy
León GEN
Reserve team that plays in the Liga TDP, the fourth level of the Mexican league system.

Former players

[edit]

Top goal scorers

[edit]
N°[30] Name[31] Season LEAGUE 2ND DIV CUP CDC CON LIB Total
1 Mexico Adalberto López[32] 1946 - 50 (5) 126 - 9 1 - - 136
2 Argentina Mexico Mauro Boselli[32] 2013 - 18 (5) 105 - 20 - 1 4 130
3 Argentina Mexico Marcos Aurelio[32] 1944 - 48/ 1951 - 56 (6) 98 - 10 - - - 108
4 Argentina Roberto Salomone[32] 1971 - 77 (6) 95 - 9 - - - 104
5 Mexico Luis Estrada[32] 1965 - 73 / 1978 - 79 (9) 90 - 11 1 - - 102
6 Brazil Tita 1990 - 94/ 1995 - 97 (6) 88 - 2 - 7 - 97
7 Argentina Oswaldo Martinolli 1955 - 61 (5) 74 - 15 2 - - 91
8 Ecuador Ángel Mena 2019 - Act. (4) 67 - 2 - 7 - 76
9 Mexico Sergio Anaya 1966 - 72 (7) 53 - 7 - - - 60
10 Argentina Alberto Etcheverry 1958 - 61 (3) 37 - 20 - - - 57
11 Mexico Luis Montes 2011 - 2022 (11) 47 7 1 - - 1 56
12 Mexico Luis Luna 1945 - 1962 (17) 47 - 6 - - - 53
13 Mexico Carlos Peña 2011 - 15 / 2017 (6) 38 6 5 - - 3 52
14 Argentina Alberto Jorge 1976 - 80 (4) 51 - - - - - 51
15 Argentina Juan José Valiente 1970-1972 (2) 45 - - - - - 45
16 Brazil Cabinho 1983 - 85 (2) 44 - - - - - 44
17 Mexico Everaldo Begines 1997 - 00 (3) 43 - - - 1 - 44
18 Argentina Hector Carlos Álvarez 2005/2006-2007 - 44 - - - - 44
19 Mexico Elías Hernández 2013 - 2018/2021 - Act. (5) 36 - 2 - 3 - 41
20 UruguayNelson Sebastián Maz 2011-2014 9 27 - - - 1 37
21 Ghana Isaac Ayipei 1992-1995 (3) 35 - - - 1 - 36
22 Mexico Luis Nieves 2006-2012 (6) 36 - - - - - 36
23 Mexico Sigifredo Mercado 1995 - 99 / 2000 - 01 / 2003 (6) 33 - 1 - 1 - 35
24 Chile Víctor Dávila 2020-2023 30 - - - 3 - 33
25 Paraguay Fredy Bareiro 2007-2008 - 30 - - - - 30
26 Mexico Martín Peña 1990 - 92 / 1995 - 99 / 2001 (7) 26 - 1 - - - 27
27 Mexico Bardo Fierros 2004 - 2007 - 27 - - - - 27
28 Mexico Mauricio Romero 2007 - 2008 - 26 - - - - 26
29 Mexico Missael Espinoza 1997-1998 / 1999-2002 (4) 23 - - - - - 23
  • Bold: Current players on the club.
  • LEAGUE=First category league, 2ND DIV=Second category leagues, CUP=Copa Mexico, CDC=Campeon de Campeones Cup, CON=CONCAFAC Champions Cup, LIB=Libertadores Cup
  • In case of tie, they are ordered by chronological order (oldest goes first).

Managers

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "El Estadio León, el tercero con mejor promedio de asistencia de la Liga MX - ZonaFrancaMX". Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  2. ^ Straus, Brian (December 16, 2013). "León bests Club América for Mexican Apertura championship". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "Central and North America's club of the Century". International Federation of Football History & Statistics. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  4. ^ "Oficializa León compra por parte del Pachuca". Medio Tiempo (in Spanish). November 20, 2010. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  5. ^ "Gustavo Matosas nuevo técnico del León". Zona Franca (in Spanish). September 20, 2011. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  6. ^ "León logró el ascenso a Primera División". ESPN (in Spanish). May 12, 2012. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  7. ^ "Underdog Champions: 2013-14 Leon". FMF State of Mind. May 21, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  8. ^ Saucedo, Julio (May 14, 2014). "León, bicampeón 66 años después de ser el primero en serlo en México". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  9. ^ "Liga MX: Leon, coach Gustavo Matosas part ways". ESPN. November 24, 2014. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  10. ^ "Pizzi toma las riendas de León". Marca Claro (in Spanish). December 4, 2014. Archived from the original on August 28, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  11. ^ "New Chile coach Pizzi leaves Mexico's Leon on losing note". Reuters. January 31, 2016. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  12. ^ Marshall, Tom (May 22, 2016). "Hirving Lozano sends Pachuca into the Liga MX Clausura 2016 final". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  13. ^ "León despide a DT Tena por malos resultados en torneo mexicano". Reuters (in Spanish). August 29, 2016. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  14. ^ "Torrente es el nuevo técnico del León". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). August 30, 2016. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  15. ^ Marshall, Tom (December 3, 2016). "Tigres down Leon, book place in Liga MX Apertura 2016 final". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  16. ^ "FÚTBOL-León de México despide a DT Torrente tras perder en casa". Reuters. August 26, 2017. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  17. ^ "Gustavo Díaz arriba a León sin presión de tiempo". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). August 31, 2017. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  18. ^ "Leon hires Nacho Ambriz to replace Gustavo Diaz as manager". Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  19. ^ "León impone récord de más victorias consecutivas en Liga MX" (in Spanish). April 12, 2019. Archived from the original on July 6, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  20. ^ "León impone récord de puntos en torneos de 17 jornadas" (in Spanish). May 4, 2019. Archived from the original on July 6, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  21. ^ Marshall, Tom (May 21, 2019). "Tigres edge Leon to win Liga MX Clausura". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  22. ^ Bernal, Jaime (July 13, 2019). "Ignacio Ambriz: ganador del Balón de Oro al Mejor Director Técnico". TUDN. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  23. ^ Marshall, Tom (December 13, 2020). "Club Leon sink Pumas to win 2020 Liga MX. In 2021 León defeated Seattle in the Leagues Cup Final 3-2 and was the runner up in the Aperture Tournament. In 2023 León beat Tigres and LAFC to win the Concachampions and book a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup. title". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  24. ^ "Ratifican que Estadio León pertenece a Roberto Zermeño". Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  25. ^ Buckley, Thomas (October 16, 2020). "León stadium drama tops Liga MX headlines". Playingfor90.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  26. ^ Everything you need to know about the new Club León stadium Archived September 7, 2022, at the Wayback Machine https://us.bolavip.com Archived January 3, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ "C.F. Pachuca beats Club Leon in third-ever friendly at Miller Park". jsonline.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  28. ^ "LIGA MX – Página Oficial de la Liga Mexicana del Fútbol Profesional". Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  29. ^ "León anuncia la llegada de Omar Fernández como refuerzo". ESPN. June 9, 2021. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  30. ^ "Reportaje. Máximos goleadores de la historia del León". Aquí México. August 14, 2014. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  31. ^ "Máximos anotadores de todos los tiempos". Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  32. ^ a b c d e "Club León".
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