Francisco Javier Cruz
Encyclopedia
Francisco Javier Cruz Jiménez (born May 24, 1966 in San Luis
, Mexico
) was a Mexican
football
player who played for Rayados de Monterrey
and UANL Tigres
, becoming one of the few players to be successful in both professional teams from Monterrey
. He is nicknamed "El Abuelo", which means "The Grandfather".
He also played for a short time in Spain, for CD Logroñés
He scored many goals for both Rayados and Tigres, even in the Clásico Regiomontano
, where he became an idol of the city. Because of this, he is loved by fans of both teams, a rarity in the competing atmosphere of Monterrey.
after its privatization.
In April 1998, he signed with the San Antonio Pumas
of the USISL.
, including the 1986 FIFA World Cup
quarterfinal against West Germany
in the Estadio Universitario
of Monterrey. On extra times, he scored a goal that the referee annulled due to an offside ruling involving another player. The game ended on penalty kicks with Mexico eliminated.
He missed the 1994 FIFA World Cup
due to an injury which he suffered by scoring the goal that qualified Mexico into the competition.
|-
| 1. || May 13, 1987 || Toluca
, Mexico
|| || 6–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 2. || February 10, 1993 || Monterrey
, Mexico || || 2–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 3. || May 9, 1993 || Toronto
, Canada
|| || 2–1 || Win || 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
|}
As of April 16, 2006, he was living in Madrid
, Spain
, where he is involved with the Real Madrid
reserves. According to an interview, he aspires to coach a team in the Liga de Ascenso
.
San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí, commonly called SLP or simply San Luis, is the capital of, and most populous city in the Mexican state of the same name. The city lies at an elevation of 1,850 meters...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
) was a Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who played for Rayados de Monterrey
Club de Fútbol Monterrey
The Club de Fútbol Monterrey is a Mexican football club from Monterrey, Nuevo León, and the current champion of the CONCACAF Champions League. Founded on June 28, 1945, it is the oldest active team in the professional division from the northern part of Mexico....
and UANL Tigres
UANL Tigres
Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, often known only as Tigres or UANL, a Mexican football club that plays in the Primera División. It is one of the two professional football teams of the state of Nuevo León. The team plays home games at the Estadio Universitario, located in San...
, becoming one of the few players to be successful in both professional teams from Monterrey
Monterrey
Monterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the...
. He is nicknamed "El Abuelo", which means "The Grandfather".
He also played for a short time in Spain, for CD Logroñés
CD Logroñés
Club Deportivo Logroñés, S.A.D. was a Spanish football team based in Logroño, in the autonomous community of La Rioja. Founded in 1940, it last played in Regional Preferente de La Rioja....
He scored many goals for both Rayados and Tigres, even in the Clásico Regiomontano
Clásico Regiomontano
Clásico Regiomontano is a football derby in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, between crosstown rival teams Monterrey and UANL.Since the first Clásico in 1974, the two teams have competed 91 times for bragging rights and city honour...
, where he became an idol of the city. Because of this, he is loved by fans of both teams, a rarity in the competing atmosphere of Monterrey.
Rayados
He was instrumental in the conquest of the first championship for Rayados. Topscorer for that Mexico 86 tournament (tied with Sergio Lira from Tampico with 14 goals). He also served the assist to Sergio "Alvin" Perez's goal that kept the team from being relegated in May 1999.Tigres
He played with Tigres for a while, where he scored many goals. He was instrumental in returning the team to the First DivisionPrimera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
after its privatization.
In April 1998, he signed with the San Antonio Pumas
San Antonio Pumas
The San Antonio Pumas were an American soccer team founded in 1988 as the San Antonio Heat in the original indoor SISL league. They became the San Antonio Generals before the 1989/90 indoor season and then the San Antonio Pumas before the 1993 outdoor season...
of the USISL.
National squad
"El Abuelo" Cruz also played many games with the Mexican National SquadMexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
, including the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
quarterfinal against West Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
in the Estadio Universitario
Estadio Universitario
The Estadio Universitario – nicknamed El Volcán is a stadium property of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, located in its premises in San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León in Mexico.-Sports:...
of Monterrey. On extra times, he scored a goal that the referee annulled due to an offside ruling involving another player. The game ended on penalty kicks with Mexico eliminated.
He missed the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
due to an injury which he suffered by scoring the goal that qualified Mexico into the competition.
|-
| 1. || May 13, 1987 || Toluca
Toluca
Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
|| || 6–0 || Win || Friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
|-
| 2. || February 10, 1993 || Monterrey
Monterrey
Monterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the...
, Mexico || || 2–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 3. || May 9, 1993 || Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
|| || 2–1 || Win || 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the North, Central American and Caribbean zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification....
|}
Retirement
He retired as a player on May 9, 1999.As of April 16, 2006, he was living in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, where he is involved with the Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
reserves. According to an interview, he aspires to coach a team in the Liga de Ascenso
Liga de Ascenso
The Liga de Ascenso is the second professional level of the Mexican football league system. The champion of the competition is promoted to the Primera División de México ....
.