Zendejas Returns to América After Two Months Out, Praises Club's New Signings

Eight weeks without setting foot on an official field is a long time: long enough to miss the rhythm of competition, long enough to watch games from the bench, and long enough to realize the team didn't fall apart while you were gone. That's what happened to Alejandro Zendejas, who is available again for América's squad after an injury that kept him out for two months, and who used his return to hand out praise in several directions.

The first went to the front office. In this transfer window, América completed the signings of five players: Óscar Perea, Edwin Cerrillo, Carlos Álvarez, Santiago Mingo and Santiago Bueno, all brought in to strengthen the roster ahead of the 2026 Apertura. They weren't quick moves, nor did they happen early in the window, but for Zendejas, that hardly matters as long as the end result is what everyone hoped for.

"The boss did a really good job this transfer window. They might have arrived late, but they arrived. Those of us who were already here are happy with the guys who came in. They've shown they've done really well, coach Almada has put together different lineups in different Leagues Cup and league matches," Alejandro Zendejas

The American forward went further and talked about the adaptation process, something he knows well from his own experience. For him, bringing in players from competitive leagues isn't just a job for the coaching staff, it also falls on those who have already spent time wearing the jersey.

"Everyone does it a different way, and that's where you see how strong the team is. We have to make the new guys feel at home, they're coming from really good leagues, and helping them settle in as quickly as possible is on us too. This tournament we're going to have a really good team," he added.

An Azteca That Never Feels Like Someone Else's House

Regarding this weekend's match against Cruz Azul, officially listed as an away game, Zendejas didn't hesitate to make clear that for América's fans, that label changes nothing. Estadio Azteca, now carrying the commercial name Banorte, remains home for the Águilas no matter which side of the paperwork they're playing on.

"We might technically be the visitors, but I don't think the fans see it that way. At the Azteca (Banorte) it's our house, and it always will be. I don't know if there will be more blue than yellow, I hope not. Every time we play at the Azteca we feel like we're at home," he said.

Respect for Violante

While Zendejas was sidelined, someone had to step up in that spot in América's attack. That someone was Isaías Violante, and Zendejas himself didn't hold back his appreciation for the young player's work during those weeks.

"The internal competition we all have is really good. Violante has been playing really well, I've already told him that. As for coach Almada's approach, since I wasn't with them for preseason in Spain," he explained, admitting he's still working to fully grasp the coach's ideas.

"Right now I'm still getting used to his style of play, I watch Violante a lot to see how he does it, what's being asked of him, he's been doing it really well and scoring a lot of goals," he finished.

With five new faces, a captain back from injury, and a teammate who stepped up when called upon, América enters this stretch of the tournament with more options than it had just a few weeks ago. The question that remains is how André Jardine will fit so many pieces together once everyone is at full strength.