Toluca confirmed that Marcel Ruiz will be sidelined for seven to eight months after suffering a serious knee injury that also ruled him out of the 2026 World Cup with the Mexico national team. Francisco Suinaga, president of the Diablos Rojos, explained that the midfielder still faces a long rehabilitation process. The team, which currently has 30 points and sits fifth in Liga MX, will not be able to rely on Ruiz for the Intercontinental Cup in December.

What happened to Marcel Ruiz?

Marcel Ruiz suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a medial meniscus injury during the CONCACAF Champions Cup match against San Diego FC on March 11, 2026. After medical evaluations, he underwent surgery about a month ago. Recovery from such an injury demands patience and constant monitoring to restore mobility, strength, stability, and confidence before returning to top-level competition.

Suinaga was blunt: they won’t rush his return. “No, I don’t think he’ll be back. The truth is Marcel had surgery, and with this injury, to have him back on the pitch, I don’t think it’ll be before seven or eight months,” the executive said. The midfielder, a key figure in ball distribution and team balance, could return as late as early 2027 depending on his progress.

Why it matters for Toluca

Ruiz had become a cornerstone for Toluca, with 28 goals scored this season and a vital role in ball recovery. His absence leaves a gap in midfield just as the team faces a packed schedule: Liga MX, Campeón de Campeones, a possible Campeones Cup run, and Leagues Cup. The club, which has a +12 goal difference and trails league leaders U.N.A.M. Pumas by six points, must find internal solutions to fill his role.

The injury also impacted the Mexico national team. Ruiz was in contention for the 2026 World Cup squad, but his recovery timeline ruled him out of Javier Aguirre’s call-ups. Still, Toluca remains ambitious across all competitions.

What’s next for the Diablos Rojos?

Toluca’s next fixture is on August 6, 2026 against Seattle Sounders at the Estadio Nemesio Diez. The team will aim to be a contender in the Leagues Cup, where the Nemesio Diez will host its first-ever match in the competition’s history. “Aiming to win it would be great; it’s the only thing we haven’t won for many reasons, but I think the team is ready to keep being a protagonist,” Suinaga said. The immediate focus is Ruiz’s recovery and maintaining momentum in Liga MX, where they have 8 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses in 17 games.