USMNT Star Channels Inner Messi with Spectacular Brace That Lights Up Liga MX for Club America
The capital city derby between Club America and Pumas stood as the weekend's premier matchup in Liga MX Apertura competition, with Alejandro Zendejas making it his own spectacular showcase.
The USMNT forward delivered an outstanding double as América crushed Pumas 4–1 at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes.
With the match still competitive at 2–1 in América's favor, Zendejas took center stage. In a move he initiated brilliantly, Allan Saint-Maximin laid off the ball to Zendejas at the box's perimeter. Zendejas quickly surveyed the field before executing a delicate chip that curved magnificently into the upper corner, producing one of the campaign's finest strikes.
What made the goal even more remarkable was that it came against legendary Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas. América's number 10 would later convert from twelve yards ten minutes afterward to seal his double and clinch América's rivalry victory.
Zendejas's magical moment left spectators speechless, including his fellow players, who drew parallels between his finish and one of Lionel Messi's most iconic strikes.
Alejandro Zendejas Draws Lionel Messi Parallels
Zendejas's strike and complete display dominated post-match discussions. Club América vice captain Álvaro Fidalgo, visibly stunned by the goal, posted on social media calling it among the finest goals he's witnessed firsthand.
However, the most significant acclaim came from Uruguayan international Sebastián Cáceres. The Club América defender shared his post-goal conversation with Zendejas after the match.
"That second strike, the chip he executed, I said to him, 'you just scored nearly identical to Messi's goal against Betis.' It was an incredible goal," Cáceres explained. "I could only applaud, there was nothing more to do."
Zendejas's effort bore striking similarity to Messi's goal for Barcelona against Real Betis that completed his treble at Estadio Benito Villamarín in 2019.
The 27-year-old Zendejas served as a cornerstone during América's remarkable campaign to capture three straight Liga MX championships. Following their defeat to Toluca in the previous season's championship match that ended their dominance, Las Águilas are again positioning themselves for another title challenge.
Zendejas has netted five times and provided three assists across 11 Apertura 2025 fixtures. Should he maintain this form throughout the remainder of 2025–26, the Tijuana-born American international could earn consideration for Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT squad heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.