Nine Years Later, Cruz Azul Still Can't Fill the Void Christian Gimenez Left Behind at No. 10

Some numbers carry more weight than others. At Cruz Azul, the No. 10 is one of those cases: ever since Christian "Chaco" Gimenez left the club at the end of 2017, no player has truly made it his own. Nine and a half years of attempts, seven different names on the back of the shirt, and none of them have fully won over the Cruz Azul faithful.

To understand the size of the gap Gimenez left behind, you have to look at the numbers. Gimenez spent seven seasons with La Maquina, from 2010 to 2017, and in 310 matches he racked up 74 goals and 50 assists. He was the engine of the team, the guy who showed up in the biggest moments, and the one who somehow carried the weight of that number with total ease.

Since his departure, seven players have worn the No. 10 jersey, but between all of them they've managed just 14 goals and 12 assists in 160 games. In other words, seven players combined haven't even reached half of what Gimenez produced on his own. That comparison alone explains why nobody has been able to fill that spot.

A Revolving Door of Names

Walter Montoya was the first to inherit the number, from Clausura 2018 through Apertura 2018: 27 matches, one goal, two assists, and a Copa MX title to show for it. Next came Pol Fernandez, who took it over in Apertura 2019 after it sat vacant for a season, playing 12 matches with one goal, three assists, and a Supercopa MX championship.

Colombian playmaker Alex Castro followed, and despite wearing it across two tournaments (Clausura and Apertura 2020), he only managed nine appearances, no goals, and a single assist. Later, Romulo Otero took the No. 10 for Apertura 2021 and Clausura 2022, logging 14 matches, one goal and one assist, right after the number had opened up following the tournament in which Cruz Azul won its ninth league title.

Paraguayan forward Angel Romero switched from No. 9 to No. 10 for his second half-season with the club, Apertura 2022, which he capped off with a Supercopa de la Liga MX title, two goals, and one assist. Then in Apertura 2023, Brazilian midfielder Moises Vieira wore it, adding two goals and one assist across 20 matches, including his run in the Leagues Cup.

Montano Owns the Best Numbers So Far

The current owner of the number is Andres Montano, who has worn it since Apertura 2024 after yet another tournament in which it went unused. With 60 matches, seven goals, and three assists, the Mexican midfielder has become, by a wide margin, the most productive player to wear the No. 10 since Gimenez left.

Even so, the gap with "Chaco" remains enormous. Montano would need several more seasons at this same pace just to get within range of what the Argentine produced during his time in Cruz Azul blue. For now, the club's No. 10 is still waiting for someone to truly claim it again.