When Sergio Canales kicked a glass door during a training meltdown, he didn’t just break a panel—he shattered Monterrey’s momentum. Just days after CF Monterrey suffered a devastating 6-2 thrashing by Deportivo Toluca F.C. on September 24, 2025, the Spanish playmaker underwent minor surgery for a right hamstring tear. But that wasn’t the worst of it. Hours later, reports confirmed he’d also sliced open his left leg after the door incident, requiring 10 stitches. Now, with the Apertura 2025 Liga MX season hurtling toward its climax, CF Monterrey is reeling—not just from losses, but from a cascade of self-inflicted setbacks.
A Team in Crisis
CF Monterrey entered 2025 as champions-in-waiting. After spending over $120 million since 2023 to assemble a European-caliber roster—including Sergio Ramos, signed in January 2024—the team was expected to dominate. Instead, they’ve slipped to third place with 18 points after 10 matches, following a 1-1 draw with Club América on September 21 and the Toluca humiliation. Canales, 34, had been their lifeline: six goals and six assists in 13 appearances, leading the squad in scoring. His absence against Santos Laguna on September 27, 2025, at Estadio Corona in Torreón is a massive blow.The Glass Door Incident
The injury that stunned even seasoned observers happened on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Nuevo León. According to Sports Illustrated, Canales lost his temper during a heated exchange after a poor training session. He lashed out, striking a reinforced glass door that shattered on impact. Glass rained down. Players and coaches rushed to pull him clear. The wound on his left leg was deep enough to require stitches. The club’s statement, cited by multiple outlets, called it an “unusual mishap during rehabilitation,” but insiders say it was a moment of raw frustration—perhaps the breaking point after months of mounting pressure.It’s not the first time emotional outbursts have derailed Monterrey’s season. The team exited the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup in March, losing to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, then lost the Apertura 2024 final to Pumas UNAM. Manager Martín Demichelis, once hailed as a tactical genius, now looks increasingly isolated. His squad, once the envy of Liga MX, now feels like a high-budget experiment gone wrong.
Chivas’ Parallel Struggles
While Monterrey’s drama unfolded in Nuevo León, C.D. Guadalajara (Chivas) was dealing with its own crisis. On September 26, 2025, the club confirmed that 27-year-old fullback Alan Mozo would undergo meniscus surgery after tearing cartilage during a preseason friendly against Club León at Soldier Field in Chicago on September 22. The injury rules Mozo out of Saturday’s Clásico Nacional against Club América at Estadio Akron—a game Chivas can’t afford to lose.Chivas, managed by Gabriel Milito, sit dead last in the Apertura 2025 table with just four points from 10 matches. Their offense is toothless. Their defense is porous. And now, without Mozo—a reliable, disciplined right-back—their chances of climbing out of the relegation zone look even slimmer.
What This Means for Liga MX
The Apertura 2025 season, which began July 12 and ends October 26, is entering its most critical phase. The Liguilla playoffs start October 29. With Monterrey faltering and Chivas collapsing, the title race is wide open. Club América, meanwhile, remains the team to beat. They’ve won five and drawn three of their eight matches against Chivas since André Jardine took over in January 2024. And now, even América’s own campaign is under threat: Ground News reported that their key player, injured during Monterrey’s 2-1 win on September 21, may miss the rest of the season.It’s a domino effect. When stars like Canales break down—not just physically, but emotionally—it’s not just about missing a game. It’s about morale. Leadership. Identity. Monterrey’s $120 million investment was supposed to bring European discipline. Instead, it’s brought chaos.
What’s Next?
CF Monterrey’s medical staff says Canales’ recovery will be “monitored day by day,” with no timeline given. That’s telling. In football, vague recovery windows usually mean months, not weeks. If he’s out for 8–10 weeks, he’ll miss the entire Liguilla. That’s a season-ending blow for a team that’s already lost its way.For Chivas, Mozo’s absence opens the door for young academy product Diego Lainez to step into the starting XI. But can a teenager handle the pressure of a Clásico? Probably not. The club’s hierarchy now faces a choice: rebuild from scratch, or keep throwing money at short-term fixes.
One thing’s clear: Liga MX is no longer just about tactics or transfers. It’s about mental resilience. And right now, two of its biggest clubs are crumbling under the weight of their own expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How serious is Sergio Canales’ injury, and how long will he be out?
Canales faces two separate injuries: a hamstring tear requiring minor surgery and a laceration on his left leg from shattered glass, needing 10 stitches. While the hamstring is typically a 4–6 week recovery, the combined trauma and lack of a clear timeline from Monterrey’s medical staff suggest he could be sidelined 8–10 weeks—missing the remainder of the Apertura 2025 season and potentially the Liguilla playoffs. His age (34) also complicates healing.
Why did Canales shatter the glass door?
According to reports from Sports Illustrated and club sources, the incident occurred after a heated exchange during training following a poor performance. Canales, known for his fiery temperament, reportedly snapped after repeated failed drills. The door was part of a reinforced barrier near the locker room. Coaches and teammates intervened to prevent escalation. It’s seen as a sign of mounting frustration after months of underperformance.
How does Canales’ absence impact Monterrey’s title chances?
Canales leads Monterrey in both goals and assists this season. His creativity and set-piece mastery are irreplaceable. Without him, the team’s attack becomes predictable, especially with fellow playmaker Alan Pulido also nursing a minor groin strain. Monterrey’s win rate drops nearly 40% in matches he misses. With only five games left before the Liguilla, losing him is a death knell for their championship hopes.
Is this part of a larger pattern for CF Monterrey?
Absolutely. Since 2023, Monterrey has spent over $120 million on veteran stars, yet they’ve failed to win a trophy. They lost the 2024 Apertura final, exited the 2025 Champions Cup early, and now face internal turmoil. The club’s leadership has been criticized for prioritizing name recognition over team chemistry. Canales’ breakdown isn’t an anomaly—it’s a symptom.
What’s the impact on Chivas with Alan Mozo out?
Mozo was one of Chivas’ few consistent performers in defense. His absence leaves a gaping hole at right-back, especially against América’s dangerous wingers. With only four points in 10 games, Chivas can’t afford to lose defensive stability. Coach Milito may turn to 21-year-old academy player José Antonio Rodríguez, but he’s inexperienced in high-pressure matches. The Clásico could become a disaster.
Who benefits from Monterrey and Chivas’ struggles?
Club América is the biggest beneficiary. They sit atop the table with 22 points and have dominated Chivas since Jardine took over. With Monterrey slipping and Chivas collapsing, América controls the narrative. If they stay healthy, they’re clear favorites to win the Apertura 2025 title—and possibly set up a deep Champions League run.