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Toluca v Cruz Azul - Torneo Clausura 2025 Liga MXGetty Images Sport

América are reportedly interested in Toluca's Alexis Vega and Paulinho as potential reinforcements for the Club World Cup

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  • Paulinho scored 12 goals in the Clausura 2025, finishing as the top scorer, while Alexis Vega netted nine
  • Toluca was the top-scoring team with 41 goals
  • León will find out in early May whether or not they will participate in the tournament
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  • Toluca v Necaxa - Torneo Clausura 2025 Liga MXGetty Images Sport

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Club América haven’t been officially confirmed for the Club World Cup, but they’re already reportedly eyeing the top attacking duo of the Clausura 2025—Alexis Vega and Paulinho—as potential reinforcements for the tournament.

    América are still awaiting a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on FIFA’s expulsion of Club León over multi-ownership violations. Should the expulsion stand, América would then need to play a qualifying match against Major League Soccer’s LAFC for the vacant spot. Despite the uncertainty, TUDN reports that the Azulcremas are actively pursuing reinforcements.

    Paulinho, a two-time Liga MX Golden Boot winner, led the Clausura 2025 with 12 goals. His strike partner, Alexis Vega, added nine of his own. Together, they formed the most prolific duo in the tournament - scoring more goals than several entire Liga MX teams, including Puebla (12), Santos (15), FC Juárez (16), Mazatlán FC (16), Querétaro (17), Chivas (18), and Atlético San Luis (20).

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    According to FIFA regulations, all teams participating in the Club World Cup can register up to six reinforcements. The expanded tournament will be held in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, and for the first time ever, it will feature 32 teams. Club León was originally placed in Group D alongside Flamengo, Chelsea, and Espérance de Tunis.

    Although América boasted the third-best attack in the Clausura 2025, their forward line has been plagued by injuries. Rodrigo Aguirre has just returned, Henry Martín is back in training but hasn’t played in over a month, while Diego Valdés and Brian Rodríguez remain doubtful for the upcoming Liguilla. The only attacking players to remain consistently healthy this semester have been Alejandro Zendejas, Víctor Dávila, and Javairô Dilrosun. That’s why América is keen to add two of the league’s most dangerous goal scorers to strengthen their squad for this high-stakes international tournament.

    Whether Toluca would be open to loaning out Paulinho and Vega remains to be seen.

  • Paulinho Toluca Apertura 2024Getty Images

    WHAT PAULINHO SAID

    "I'm not going to play for any team other than Toluca. Unless the club talks to me - Toluca talks to me - I'm here, and they haven’t," Paulinho said. "But I don’t have the desire, I don’t want to, because for me, it doesn’t make sense."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR AMERICA?

    Las Águilas qualified directly to the Liguilla, which gives them a two-week break before they face the Quarterfinals on May 7 or 8. Their opponent will be the winner of the Play-In match between Pachuca and Monterrey, scheduled for this Sunday.