Cuauhtémoc Blanco facts for kids

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Blanco and the second or maternal family name is Bravo.

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Cuauhtémoc Blanco

Blanco in 2024

Member of the Chamber of Deputies

Incumbent

Assumed office
31 August 2024

Governor of Morelos

In office
1 October 2018 – 31 August 2024

Preceded by

Graco Ramírez

Succeeded by

Margarita González Saravia

Municipal president of Cuernavaca

In office
1 January 2016 – 2 April 2018

Preceded by

Jorge Morales Barud

Succeeded by

Denisse Arizmendi Villegas

Personal details

Born

Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo

17 January 1973 (age 52)
Mexico City, Mexico

Political party

MORENA (since 2022)

Other political
affiliations

Social Democratic Party
(2015–2016)
Independent
(2016–2017)
Social Encounter Party
(2017–2022)

Height

5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)

Spouses

Marisela Santoyo

(m. 1996; div. 2003)

Natalia Rezende

(m. 2015)

Children

Occupation

Footballer (retired)
Politician

Association football career

Position(s)

Youth career

1988–1992

América

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps

(Gls)

1992–2007

América

308

(108)

1997–1998

→ Necaxa (loan)

(11)

2000–2002

→ Real Valladolid (loan)

(3)

2004

→ Veracruz (loan)

(5)

2007–2009

Chicago Fire

(16)

2008

→ Santos Laguna (loan)

(1)

2010

Veracruz

(5)

2010–2011

Irapuato

(9)

2012–2013

Dorados

(14)

2013–2014

BUAP

(6)

2014–2015

Puebla

(3)

2016

América

(0)

Total

573

(181)

International career

1995–2014

Mexico

119

(38)

Medal record

Men's football

Representing Mexico
FIFA Confederations Cup
Winner	1999 Mexico	{{{3}}}
Third	1995 Saudi Arabia	{{{3}}}
Copa América
Third	1997 Bolivia	{{{3}}}
Third	1999 Paraguay	{{{3}}}
Third	2007 Venezuela	{{{3}}}
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Winner	1996 United States	{{{3}}}
Winner	1998 United States	{{{3}}}
Runner-up	2007 United States	{{{3}}}
Pan American Games
Silver	1995 Mar del Plata	Team
CONCACAF Pre-Olympic Tournament
Winner	1996 Canada	{{{3}}}

*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo (born January 17, 1973) is a famous Mexican politician and a former professional footballer. He is currently a member of the Chamber of Deputies.

Before becoming a deputy, he served as the Governor of Morelos from 2018 to 2024. He was also the mayor of Cuernavaca, a city in Morelos.

As a footballer, Blanco was known for his strong attacking skills. He played mostly as a forward and later as an attacking midfielder. Many people consider him one of the greatest Mexican footballers ever.

Early Life and Name
Football Career Highlights
Political Career
Personal Life
Honours and Awards
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Name

Blanco was born in Mexico City, in the area called Tlatilco, but he grew up in Tepito. His parents are Faustino Blanco and Hortensia Bravo. He was named after the last Aztec emperor, Cuauhtémoc. His name means "one who has descended like an eagle."

Football Career Highlights

Starting Out in Football

Blanco began his football journey with América in 1992. During his time there, he won many team and individual awards. He also played for other teams on loan, like Necaxa, the Spanish club Real Valladolid, and Veracruz.

In 2007, he joined the Chicago Fire in the United States. He also had a short loan with Santos Laguna in 2008. In 2010, he returned to Mexico and played for several teams, including Veracruz again, Irapuato, Dorados, and Puebla-based teams Lobos BUAP and Puebla. He officially retired from Puebla in 2015. The next year, he played one last game for América to end his career with the club where he started.

Playing for Club América

Blanco with América

Cuauhtémoc Blanco played most of his career with América. He made 333 appearances and scored 135 goals for the club. He became a true hero to the club's fans and an important part of their history.

He first played in the top Mexican league, Mexican Primera División, in 1992 when he was 19. He won his first Golden Boot award in 1998 for scoring 16 goals. He was loaned to Necaxa for a short time, where he scored 13 goals.

Blanco also played in Spain for Real Valladolid from 2000 to 2002. He scored some great goals there, including a free-kick against Real Madrid. He returned to Mexico and played for Veracruz in 2004. He was very popular with the fans there.

In May 2005, Blanco helped Club América win its tenth league title. He was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) for three years in a row, from 2005 to 2007. He scored his last goal for América in the 2007 championship final.

Time with Chicago Fire

Blanco in Chicago in 2009 during his time with the Chicago Fire

On April 2, 2007, Blanco moved to the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. He signed with Chicago Fire. Thousands of fans welcomed him at Toyota Park.

He was a finalist for both the MVP and Newcomer of the Year awards in 2007. His goal against Real Salt Lake was even named the 2007 Goal of the Year. Blanco was one of the highest-paid players in MLS at the time.

In 2008, he won the MVP award in the All-Stars Game against West Ham United. He scored one goal and had one assist in that game.

Later Football Years

Blanco warming up with Irapuato in 2010

In 2009, Blanco decided not to renew his contract with Chicago Fire. He returned to Mexico in 2010 to play for Veracruz. After six months, he moved to Irapuato. With Blanco's help, Irapuato won a championship in 2011.

Blanco playing for Dorados in 2012

In December 2011, Blanco joined Dorados. He won the Copa MX with Dorados in 2012. He then played for Lobos BUAP for a year.

After thinking about retiring, Blanco signed with Puebla for one last season in the Liga MX. In April 2015, he played in the Copa MX final, which Puebla won. This was supposed to be his final game.

However, in February 2016, Blanco played one more official Liga MX match for Club América. He wore a special number 100 jersey and played 36 minutes. This allowed him to officially end his career with the club where it all began.

Playing for Mexico

Blanco played for the Mexican national team from 1995 to 2010, with a special farewell appearance in 2014. He played 120 games and scored 38 goals for his country.

He is the only Mexican player to win awards at the FIFA Confederations Cup. He received the Silver Ball and Silver Boot at the 1999 Confederations Cup, which Mexico won at home. He also holds the record with Ronaldinho for the most goals in the Confederations Cup, with nine goals.

Blanco converting a penalty against France at the 2010 World Cup

Blanco played in three World Cups: 1998, 2002, and 2010. In 2010, he became the first Mexican to score in three different World Cup tournaments. He scored a penalty against France in the 2010 World Cup.

He officially retired from international football in 2014 with a tribute game against Israel.

How He Played

Style of Play

Blanco as captain with Veracruz

Cuauhtémoc Blanco is known as one of Mexico's greatest footballers. He was also one of the best at taking penalty kicks, scoring 71 out of 73 penalties in his career. This means he scored almost 97% of his penalties!

He was known for his strong and determined playing style. He was creative on the field and always fought hard.

The Cuauhtemiña Trick

Blanco is famous for a special trick called the Cuauhtemiña, or Blanco Trick. He performed it notably at the 1998 World Cup. When two or more opposing players tried to take the ball from him, he would trap the ball between his feet and jump over the defenders. He would then release the ball in the air and land with it still under his control, leaving the defenders behind. This trick is even included as a special skill in the FIFA series of football video games.

Goal Celebration

Blanco's goal celebration, where he acts like an archer, was inspired by another footballer, Kiko Narvaez. However, the Chicago Fire team website said he was acting like the Aztec emperor Cuauhtémoc to show respect for Mexican heritage.

Political Career

Mayor of Cuernavaca (2015–2018)

In January 2015, Blanco decided to enter politics. He became a candidate for mayor of Cuernavaca, the capital city of Morelos. He won the election in a close race.

As mayor, he faced some challenges and questions during his time. In March 2017, he joined a new political party called the Social Encounter Party (PES).

Governor of Morelos (2018–2024)

Blanco shaking hands with Enrique Peña Nieto, December 2018

For the 2018 elections, Blanco became a candidate for governor of Morelos. He won the election by a large margin on July 1, 2018. This made him the first former footballer to become a governor in Mexico. He started his term as Governor on October 1, 2018.

As governor, he faced challenges like dealing with crime and other issues in the state. He also had some disagreements with other political parties.

Federal Deputy (2024–Present)

In the 2024 general election, Cuauhtémoc Blanco was elected to the Chamber of Deputies. He is now a federal deputy for the National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party.

Personal Life

Cuauhtémoc Blanco has four children. He was married to Marisela Santoyo from 1996 to 2003, and they have a son named Cuauhtémoc Jr. He also has a daughter named Bárbara. In 2015, Blanco married Natalia Rezende, and they have a son named Roberto.

He appeared on the North American cover of the FIFA 10 video game.