Why Pumas’ last-minute switch saved their Apertura 2025

The passage of time is proving the University’s Pumas right. At the start of the Apertura 2025, the student side went searching for an international-caliber attacker. The Pedregal club wanted to send a clear message to Liga MX – that they, too, can sign world-class players.

The stars began to arrive. First came former Real Madrid and PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Then came Aaron Ramsey, who previously played for Arsenal and Juventus. Finally, the hunt turned to a big-name striker, and expectations soared. Rumors suggested he would come from European soccer with a Manchester United past.

Anthony Martial

Days passed with no real news. Pumas still hadn’t unveiled their long-awaited number 9, despite boasting a lineage of strikers such as Cabinho, Hugo Sánchez, Luis Flores and Luis García. The name Anthony Martial suddenly surfaced, and many assumed he would appear in Ciudad Universitaria. Instead, fate carried the “mega-goalscorer” to Monterrey. And, for the record, the Frenchman missed a stunning chance against América in the first leg of the Apertura 2025 quarterfinals.

Martial signed with Rayados. In Liga MX, however, he has yet to deliver meaningful numbers. Across 291 minutes, he played in nine games, started twice and – most importantly – scored no goals. He also came up empty in the first postseason game against América. Watching all this unfold, Pumas turned to JJ Macías, a striker whose career has been repeatedly halted by injuries.

Macías scored four goals in 11 games and 331 minutes. By the end of the auriazul campaign in the Apertura 2025, the Mexican had outperformed anything Martial has shown in Mexico. Martial’s reputation is impressive, and big-name signings are always welcomed by supporters, but in this case the Frenchman has not delivered.

Despite Rayados standing on the brink of reaching the semifinals, Pumas appear to have avoided signing two European players who have struggled to make an impact in Liga MX. One departed early. The other has simply not met expectations – and Macías has been more effective than Anthony Martial.

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