Cruz Azul is a legendary professional football club based in Mexico City, competing in the top-flight Liga MX. Known officially as Club Deportivo Cruz Azul, the team was founded in 1927 and plays its home matches at the iconic Estadio Azteca, sharing the colossal venue with rivals Club América. The club's distinctive sky-blue and white colors are instantly recognizable across the continent. Cruz Azul's history is one of profound success and occasional heartbreak, earning them the nickname "La Máquina Celeste" (The Sky Blue Machine). The club's golden era spanned from the late 1960s through the 1990s, where they dominated Mexican football, winning multiple league titles and establishing a fierce rivalry with América. This period was defined by legendary players like Carlos Hermosillo and a reputation for relentless, machine-like efficiency. In the modern era, Cruz Azul experienced a well-documented championship drought that lasted over two decades, a narrative of "La Maldición" (The Curse) that was finally broken with a thrilling Liga MX Clausura 2021 victory. The team's culture is defined by one of the most passionate and massive fan bases in Mexico, known for their unwavering loyalty through cycles of triumph and frustration. Today, Cruz Azul remains a perennial contender, always carrying the weight of history and the expectations of millions.