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Six Chivas players made Liga MX's 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist on Friday. Because every nominee earns an automatic All-Star Game call-up, six Rojiblancos now head toward Charlotte. The Rojiblancos tied Toluca for the most representatives among Liga MX clubs, per MLSSoccer.com. Since the club signs no foreign players, that haul says plenty about how Guadalajara built this squad. Chivas' Six Ballon d'Or Nominees Liga MX announced the nominees on Friday. The award honors the best player at each position in Mexican football. Guadalajara's six candidates span the spine of the pitch, from fullback to forward to the rookie ranks. Argentine manager Gabriel Milito also collected a nomination for Best Coach of the Year. His inclusion matters as much as any player here, because it shows how this Chivas side has been coached into contention. Bryan González: Best Fullback Bryan González earned his place in the best fullback category. While the role demands attacking width and defensive recovery in equal measure, González has delivered both this campaign. His nomination reflects a season of steady output down the flank. Because Guadalajara leans on home-grown talent, González represents exactly the kind of academy product the club is built around. Armando González: Best Forward Armando González made the shortlist as a best forward candidate. His goal contributions drove much of the Chivas attack across the league season. A best forward nomination also places him among the most productive attackers in Mexican football. Since the All-Star showcase offers a stage against MLS, that recognition arrives at a useful moment. Kevin Castañeda: Best Attacking Midfielder Kevin Castañeda picked up a nomination as best attacking midfielder. Although the role asks a player to create, link play, and arrive late in the box, Castañeda's season covered all three. His inclusion strengthens the creative core of this squad. Because the Rojiblancos lean on midfield invention to break down defenses, Castañeda sits at the center of the approach. Santiago Sandoval: Rookie of the Year Santiago Sandoval landed a Rookie of the Year nomination. While the category honors the standout first-year talents, Sandoval forced his way in through his minutes for Guadalajara. Young players rarely break through at a club with Chivas' expectations. So Sandoval's nomination signals that the academy pipeline keeps producing players ready for the senior side. Brian Gutiérrez: Rookie of the Year Brian Gutiérrez joins his teammate on the Rookie of the Year shortlist. Although two rookie nominations from one club is unusual, it points to the depth of young talent Milito has trusted. Gutiérrez and Sandoval competing in the same category creates an internal contest. Whichever way the vote falls, Chivas holds two of the strongest claims to the award. What the Six Ballon d'Or Nominations Mean for the All-Star Game Here is the part that reshapes the summer. Because every Liga MX Ballon d'Or candidate is automatically called up as a first-choice selection, six near-guaranteed Chivas players join the squad against MLS. The match takes place July 29 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Wikipedia lists it as the fifth edition of the MLS versus Liga MX format. MLS holds the upper hand in the series. While MLSSoccer.com credits the league with a 3-1 all-time record, that history gives the Liga MX contingent something to chase. Last year's edition ended 3-1 in Austin, Texas. Player Ballon d'Or Category All-Star Status Bryan González Best Fullback Automatic call-up Armando González Best Forward Automatic call-up Kevin Castañeda Best Attacking Midfielder Automatic call-up Santiago Sandoval Rookie of the Year Automatic call-up Brian Gutiérrez Rookie of the Year Automatic call-up Gabriel Milito Best Coach of the Year Nominated How the Nominations Sit in the Wider Game Chivas and Toluca leading the nominee count also carries a competitive edge. Because Toluca arrived fresh off the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, per MLSSoccer.com, the two clubs supplying most of Liga MX's stars are also two of its in-form sides. These individual awards sit within a much bigger picture. For context, the question of who won the ballon d'or 2021 – Lionel Messi still frames how fans read positional recognition. The Ballon d'Or branding also ties Liga MX to a broader news cycle. While the global storylines build, the way Messi Breaks the World Cup Scoring Record With Two Goals as Argentina beats Austria 2-0 keeps the award in the headlines. The best players in Mexican football are compared to the standard setters in the wider game. So rankings such as the Top 20 Best Goalkeepers in the World 2024/25: Elite Shot-Stoppers Defined offer a useful benchmark. The summer transfer noise around Liga MX talent runs parallel to bigger European stories. As one example, What Julian Alvarez's Public Exit Demand Means for Barcelona's €130 Million Transfer Push shows the churn at the top of the market. Stadium and event news shapes the calendar too. Because venue choices ripple across the schedule, decisions like "San Siro Removed as 2027 Champions League Final Host" carry real weight. The numbers tell the story for Guadalajara. Six Ballon d'Or nominations, six likely call-ups, and a manager in Milito recognized too. When the Liga MX stars walk out in Charlotte on July 29, a third of the squad could wear Chivas red.