Tigres shores up its transition, unveils Guillermo Martinez for Apertura 2026

Some clubs change their skin quietly, others do it right out in the open, with the camera rolling and the microphone on. Tigres chose the latter. At the presentation of their signings for the Apertura 2026, the front office didn't hide what everyone in Nuevo Leon already suspected: the club is going through a deep transformation, with historic figures leaving and new faces arriving to fill that void.

The man who put that moment into words was Carlos Valenzuela, the club's executive vice president, who was joined at the event by Victor Manuel Vucetich, sporting vice president and head coach of the team. Valenzuela didn't mince words: the fans won't be won over by speeches, but by results on the field.

I'd say you don't convince people with words. You convince them with actions, with work, something that shows up on the field, with professionalism in every area. I think we're carrying out one of the most important transitions in this institution's history.Carlos Valenzuela

The executive stressed that this process is not being improvised. He spoke of a planned, carefully analyzed effort backed by different levels of the organization, from the university itself to the sponsors that support the club.

The truth is we're carrying out this transition with a great deal of respect, a great deal of professionalism, well planned, with plenty of analysis and as a team. Together, under leadership from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, from CEMEX and from everyone involved. We're confident that by working as a team we'll keep building this great story.Carlos Valenzuela

Memo Martinez, from spectator to protagonist

Among the new faces was Guillermo Martinez, the Mexican forward joining this new chapter for Tigres. And his story, in his own words, carries a personal touch: he went from watching Tigres lift trophies on television to wanting to do it himself now, wearing yellow and blue.

I'm excited, because sometimes I'd watch Tigres lift trophies on TV and now I want to lift one alongside them.Guillermo Martinez

Asked about his departure from Pumas, the forward was clear: there are no grudges or unfinished business, just a cycle that simply came to an end for both sides.

I think what happened with Pumas was a cycle that closed for both sides. It was a situation where I'm grateful to them for opening their doors to me. 2026, like you said, has me really excited. It excites me because I'm coming in with a lot of drive, with a lot of desire to succeed in this city. It's a city I wanted to get to know, that's the truth. My family and I always talked about coming to visit Monterrey and look, here we are today.Guillermo Martinez

Martinez also spoke about the road he traveled to reach this point, one that, as he admitted, was not full of shortcuts.

I know what my career has been like, I know it hasn't been easy at all. Sometimes it was grinding it out, but it was always about working, working and working.Guillermo Martinez

With Vucetich leading the sporting project and Valenzuela carrying the institutional message, Tigres kicks off this Apertura 2026 with a clear premise: the transition is already underway, and now it's time to prove it with results, which is, in the end, the only thing that truly convinces.