América welcome back Luis Ángel Malagón and Henry Martín from injury while doubts remain over the status of Diego Valdés, Brian Rodríguez, and Jonathan dos Santos

Club América received a major boost ahead of the Clausura 2025 Liguilla quarterfinals, with several key players returning from injury just in time for their clash against Pachuca. Goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón and captain Henry Martín are back in action, while doubts linger over the availability of Diego Valdés, Brian Rodríguez, and Jonathan dos Santos.

Malagón, who had been sidelined since Matchday 17 with an ankle sprain suffered against Mazatlán FC, featured in a closed-door friendly against Liga de Expansión side Celaya. Despite América losing 3–2 at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, the return of their starting goalkeeper was a key positive. Martín also made his comeback after a two-month absence with tendinitis, having seen minutes in a prior training match and again against Celaya - confirming his readiness for the quarterfinals.

Other players who logged time in the friendly included Sebastián Cáceres, Víctor Dávila, Erick Sánchez, Rodrigo Aguirre, Álvaro Fidalgo, and Dagoberto Espinoza. However, playmaker Diego Valdés did not participate due to ongoing muscle issues. While there's hope he could make the bench for the first leg against Pachuca, his status remains uncertain.

The outlook is bleaker for Rodríguez and Dos Santos, who are both at risk of missing the entire Liguilla due to more serious injuries. As a result, head coach André Jardine may be forced to steer his side through the knockout rounds without two of his most experienced contributors.

Meanwhile, Clausura leaders Toluca—through head coach Antonio Mohamed—have expressed concern over the 18-day gap between the regular season and the Liguilla quarterfinals, fearing it could disrupt their rhythm. In contrast, América may be the biggest beneficiary of the extended break as they chase a historic fourth consecutive league title.

Out of the returns, Jardine is pleased to have Henry Martín back - even though the captain hasn’t played a competitive match in over two months and is enduring his toughest campaign yet in an América jersey. Plagued by injuries, Martín has scored just once in nine appearances this semester.

His current form remains a question mark, and it’s still unclear whether he’ll start or come off the bench in the upcoming quarterfinals. But one thing is certain: he wears the captain’s armband under Jardine, and the coach has complete trust in him. Even with uncertainty around his performance level, Jardine is ready to go all-in with the players who helped establish him as one of the most successful managers in club history.

The loss of Rodríguez is undoubtedly a blow. The winger, nicknamed "Rayito," had become one of América’s most consistent attacking threats. His absence for the remainder of the Liguilla could significantly impact the team’s quest for a historic fourth consecutive title.

América has managed just one win in their last eight visits to Pachuca, suffering five losses and drawing twice.
During the Clausura 2025 season, Las Águilas lost only two away matches—and one of those defeats came at Estadio Hidalgo, where they’ll face the Tuzos in the Liguilla quarterfinals.

América will visit Pachuca on May 7 or 8 for the first leg of the Liguilla quarterfinals.

The exact date—Wednesday or Thursday—has yet to be confirmed, but Jardine’s squad will be heading into one of the toughest venues in Liga MX. Pachuca lost just one of their eight home matches during the Clausura 2025 season.