Adrián Chávez: “Pumas vs América is not a classic, just another team wanting to win”

Former América goalkeeper Adrián Chávez has questioned the status of the match between the "Águilas" and Pumas. Despite being one of the most anticipated fixtures in Mexican football, the club legend insists it no longer carries the weight of a true "Clásico".

In an interview with RÉCORD, Chávez was direct in his assessment. He believes the game is now simply an opportunity for another team to try and beat América, lacking the deep-rooted rivalry that defined the fixture in previous decades. "I always say this when people ask if América versus Pumas is a classic: for me, it is not. It is simply a game where another team looks to beat América," Chávez stated.

The former player explained that the rivalry used to be built on homegrown talent. Both institutions relied heavily on their academy systems, meaning players knew each other from a young age and the competitive fire was ignited long before they reached the first team.

Chávez believes this essence has been eroded by the influx of foreign players. For many current squad members, this match is just another fixture on the calendar rather than an emotional battle fueled by institutional history. While the rivalry exists historically, he feels it lacks the same meaning for those currently on the pitch.