Chivas will host Necaxa at the Estadio Akron for a game in the sixth round of matches in the Liga MX 2018 Apertura this Tuesday. Both teams feature players that have played on both teams in their careers as this has been an ongoing trend throughout the histories of both organizations. Here are five players that have played with both Chivas de Guadalajara and Necaxa, this includes former and current players.
Carlos “El Gullit” Pena
Pena made his Liga MX debut with Necaxa this past weekend in Los Rayos’ 2-2 draw with Puebla at the Estadio Victoria. “Gullit” received 29 minutes off the bench and looked solid as he managed to create a couple of dangerous plays going forward. At one point in his career Pena was considered one of the better Mexican players in the Liga MX and thus he was picked up by Chivas in 2016. The Mexican midfielder is considered one of the worst signings in Chivas’ history and will likely be booed at the Estadio Akron this Tuesday.
Mario De Luna
De Luna is an Aguascalientes native, but he is a product of the Chivas’ youth academy, having made his professional debut back in 2008 with the club. The Mexican centre-back went on a loan move with his hometown team, Necaxa from 2016-2018. De Luna made over 70 appearances with Los Rayos, but is now back with Chivas de Guadalajara after a five-year absence. The 30-year-old could be starting in this game as Carlos Salcido is doubtful to play in this encounter.
Ricardo Pelaez
Now Pelaez is known more for his career as a broadcaster and as a Liga MX executive with teams like Club America and Cruz Azul. However, the Mexico City native had a very successful career as a player from 1985-2000. Pelaez was known as a prolific striker and had his best days with Necaxa, where he managed to score 138 goals in over 350 appearances with the club from 1987-1997. His time with Chivas was not so memorable from 1998-2000, where he scored 15 goals with Los Rojiblancos.
Diego Martinez
Martinez played with Necaxa from 2001-2006, but will be best remembered for being part of the Chivas’ championship squad in the 2006 Apertura. The Mexico City native played as a right-back and was a very exciting player as he did tend to push up the pitch a lot. Martinez only played with Chivas from the Apertura 2006 until the Clausura 2006, but he is immortalized as a key player of their championship team in the 2006 Apertura.
Jose Manuel De La Torre
“Chepo” is considered a legend for Chivas de Guadalajara as he played with the team from 1984-1988 and again 199-1995. De La Torre won a championship with Chivas as a player in the 1997 Apertura season and also led Los Rojiblancos to the 2006 Apertura title as a manager. With Necaxa, “Chepo” also managed to be part of the 1998 Clausura championship team and he played with Los Rayos at the end of his career from 1997-1999.
