Cruz Azul includes injured forward Nico Ibáñez in Clausura 2026 final vs Pumas

Cruz Azul coach Joel Huiqui announced that forward Nicolás Ibáñez will be in the squad for the Clausura 2026 Liga MX final against Pumas UNAM, despite the player’s recent muscular injury. The club clarified that the injury is a rupture of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in his right leg, not a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and that Ibáñez is not expected to play the full 90 minutes.

The match decides Cruz Azul’s quest for a historic tenth league title. With the two‑leg final tied 0‑0 after the first leg, the team must win the second leg at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario to avoid extra time or penalties and secure the championship.