Henry Martin and Borja Deliver Goals for America in Apertura 2026

Club America has found a productive attacking partnership in Henry Martin and Miguel Borja, whose combined 10 goals in the Apertura 2026 season have strengthened Guillermo Almada's options ahead of the team's home match against Monterrey. The two 33-year-old forwards scored six goals across their first two games together, helping America recover from a two-goal deficit against Chivas before securing a 4-2 victory over Necaxa.

According to Sports Illustrated Mexico, Borja scored twice after entering as a substitute against Chivas, including an acrobatic bicycle kick that began America's comeback from 2-0 down. He completed the 2-2 draw in the 74th minute, with Martin providing the assist. One week later, Almada started both forwards together for the first time against Necaxa, where Martin scored a hat trick and Borja added another goal.

The results have changed the outlook for two strikers who initially appeared to be competing for the same position. Before the matchup with Monterrey, Martin had six goals and two assists, while Borja had scored four times in the tournament, according to reports from AS Mexico and Nación Fútbol.

Martin's resurgence follows an injury-disrupted period that limited his involvement with America in 2025. He played in only 22 of the club's 51 matches that year and continued to struggle with physical problems during the Clausura 2026. The Mexican international had previously played a prominent role in America's three consecutive Liga MX championship victories between the Apertura 2023 and Apertura 2024 tournaments.

Borja arrived at America after a decline in scoring during his final season with River Plate. According to Sports Illustrated Mexico, he scored 31 goals in 49 appearances in 2024 but managed eight goals in 49 matches the following year. After his contract with the Argentine club ended, a proposed move to Cruz Azul fell through because of a roster-place restriction, and he subsequently joined Al Wasl in the United Arab Emirates, scoring eight goals in 16 appearances.

America introduced Borja in August, with Almada identifying goalscoring, movement, generosity, teamwork and effort as the qualities he expected from the Colombian forward. Borja has since praised Martin's support and experience as the pair have developed their partnership.

"Having a figure like Henry speak well of me is something nice. I have the highest regard for him as a player, as a goalscorer, as a historic figure and as an even better person," Borja said, according to Sports Illustrated Mexico.

Borja also described the understanding developing between the two forwards, emphasizing their shared contributions during matches. His comments followed public praise from the America captain as speculation grew over whether the pair could remain together in the starting lineup.

"Whenever we have played, I have scored and he has scored too. He has helped me, I have helped him, and I think we have been very happy on the field," Borja added.

Martin has also expressed support for playing alongside Borja rather than treating the Colombian as a direct threat to his position. In an interview with TUDN, the captain described Borja as an impressive goalscorer and highlighted his ability to decide when to finish a move and when to pass to a teammate. Martin characterized their relationship as a partnership built around collective play.

"We are two center forwards who link up and play for the team," Martin said, according to Nación Fútbol.

Martin has also suggested another attacking option for Almada: using both strikers with Brazilian playmaker Raphael Veiga positioned behind them. During an interview with Claro Sports, the captain presented the formation as a possible way to combine the forwards' finishing ability with Veiga's creativity. The proposal remains an option rather than a confirmed starting formation, and adopting it would require Almada to reconsider the team's balance across midfield and the wings.

America entered the 11th round with 20 points from nine matches, according to Nación Fútbol, placing the team level on points with Toluca. Monterrey had 13 points from nine games. The meeting at Estadio Banorte on October 10 was scheduled as part of America's 110th-anniversary celebrations, with Almada facing decisions over his attacking lineup and the team's goalkeeping position following Luis Angel Malagon's return from an extended recovery.