Editing Cruz Azul (section)

===2014–2020: Revival and modern challenges===
On 23 April 2014, Cruz Azul won its sixth [[2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League|CONCACAF Champions League]] title after defeating [[Deportivo Toluca F.C.|Toluca]], securing the club's first trophy in 17 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/internacional/cronicas/2014/04/23/cruz-azul-campeon-de-concacaf_53363|title=Cruz Azul, Campeón de CONCACAF|work=MedioTiempo |date=24 April 2014|access-date=21 July 2017|archive-date=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017145413/http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/internacional/cronicas/2014/04/23/cruz-azul-campeon-de-concacaf_53363|url-status=live}}</ref> The victory qualified Cruz Azul for the [[2014 FIFA Club World Cup]], where the team finished in fourth place.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://es.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=259703/match=300298900/index.html|title=Copa Mundial de Clubes de la FIFA Marruecos 2014 - Cruz Azul-Auckland City FC - Resumen |date=March 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329233438/http://es.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=259703/match=300298900/index.html |archive-date=2015-03-29 }}</ref>

Between the [[2014–15 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura|Apertura 2014]] and [[2016–17 Liga MX season#Torneo Clausura|Clausura 2017]] tournaments, Cruz Azul failed to qualify for the ''liguilla'' playoffs for six consecutive seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.record.com.mx/futbol-futbol-nacional-liga-mx-cruz-azul/cruz-azul-queda-fuera-de-liguilla-por-sexto-torneo|title = Cruz Azul queda fuera de Liguilla por sexto torneo consecutivo|date = 29 April 2017|access-date = 21 July 2017|archive-date = 23 August 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180823120351/http://www.record.com.mx/futbol-futbol-nacional-liga-mx-cruz-azul/cruz-azul-queda-fuera-de-liguilla-por-sexto-torneo|url-status = live}}</ref> The club returned to the playoffs in the [[2017–18 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura|Apertura 2017]] but was eliminated in the quarter-finals by [[Club América|América]] on aggregate after a 0–0 draw, with América advancing due to [[Seeding (sports)#Liga MX|higher seeding]]. On 27 November 2017, the club announced that manager [[Paco Jémez]] would not renew his contract for the following season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://cruzazulfc.com.mx/2017/11/27/jemez-no-renovara-para-el-clausura-2018/ |title=Jémez no renovará para el Clausura 2018 |trans-title=Jémez will not renew for the Clausura 2018 |date=27 November 2017 |access-date=27 November 2017 |language=es |archive-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215092825/http://cruzazulfc.com.mx/2017/11/27/jemez-no-renovara-para-el-clausura-2018/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/3743214/paco-jemez-deja-de-ser-tecnico-de-cruz-azul |title=Paco Jémez deja de ser técnico de Cruz Azul |trans-title=Paco Jémez is no longer the coach of Cruz Azul |date=27 November 2017 |access-date=27 November 2017 |language=es |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725075221/https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/3743214/paco-jemez-deja-de-ser-tecnico-de-cruz-azul |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[2017–18 Liga MX season#Torneo Clausura|Clausura 2018]], Cruz Azul finished in 12th place and did not qualify for the playoffs. The club also placed last in its [[Clausura 2018 Copa MX|Copa MX]] group.
On 7 May 2018, sporting director [[Eduardo de la Torre]] left the club and was replaced by [[Ricardo Peláez]], formerly of América.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cruzazulfc.com.mx/2018/05/07/termina-la-relacion-laboral/|title=Termina la relación laboral con Eduardo de La Torre|trans-title=End of working relationship with Eduardo de La Torre|language=es|date=7 May 2018|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=2 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702122325/http://cruzazulfc.com.mx/2018/05/07/termina-la-relacion-laboral/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cruzazulfc.com.mx/2018/05/07/bienvenido-ricardo-pelaez-linares/|title=Bienvenido Ricardo Peláez Linares|trans-title=Welcome Ricardo Peláez Linares|language=es|date=7 May 2018|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718082243/http://cruzazulfc.com.mx/2018/05/07/bienvenido-ricardo-pelaez-linares/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/4286118/pelaez-llega-a-cruz-azul-con-deseo-de-ser-campeon|title=Peláez llega a Cruz Azul con deseo de ser campeón|trans-title=Peláez arrives at Cruz Azul with the hope to become champion|date=9 May 2018|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604070652/http://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/4286118/pelaez-llega-a-cruz-azul-con-deseo-de-ser-campeon|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://laaficion.milenio.com/cruzazul/turno-ricardo-pelaez-cruz-azul-retos-apertura-2018-liga-mx_0_1171682870.html|title=Los retos de Ricardo Peláez en Cruz Azul|trans-title=The challenges for Ricardo Peláez at Cruz Azul|language=es|date=8 May 2018|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514141713/http://laaficion.milenio.com/cruzazul/turno-ricardo-pelaez-cruz-azul-retos-apertura-2018-liga-mx_0_1171682870.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, Cruz Azul won the [[Apertura 2018 Copa MX]], defeating [[C.F. Monterrey|Monterrey]] 2–0 in the [[Apertura 2018 Copa MX final|final]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Cruz Azul beats Monterrey to lift Copa MX|url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/cruz-azul-beats-monterrey-to-lift-copa-mx/r90llckig8bx19soptqix8xxo|first=Jon|last=Arnold|work=Goal|date=1 November 2018|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419122607/https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/cruz-azul-beats-monterrey-to-lift-copa-mx/r90llckig8bx19soptqix8xxo|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same [[2018–19 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura|season]], the club reached the Liga MX final once again, facing América in a rematch of the [[2013 Liga MX Clausura Liguilla#Final|Clausura 2013 final]]. The first-leg ended 0–0, and América won the second-leg 2–0, extending Cruz Azul's league title drought.

In May 2020, club president [[Billy Álvarez|Guillermo Álvarez Cuevas]] was indicted on multiple charges, including [[tax evasion|tax fraud]], [[racketeering]], and [[money laundering]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2020/5/29/21274314/cruz-azul-owners-being-investigated-for-money-laundering-links-to-organized-crime-liga-mx-narcos|title = Cruz Azul owners being investigated for money laundering, links to organized crime|date = 29 May 2020|access-date = 2 June 2021|archive-date = 2 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214220/https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2020/5/29/21274314/cruz-azul-owners-being-investigated-for-money-laundering-links-to-organized-crime-liga-mx-narcos|url-status = live}}</ref> An arrest warrant was issued on 26 July for Álvarez and other board members for alleged ties to organized crime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/nacional/fiscalia-iria-por-billy-alvarez-y-tres-directivos-mas/|title=Fiscalía iría por Billy Álvarez y tres directivos más|date=30 July 2020|access-date=2 June 2021|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214321/https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/nacional/fiscalia-iria-por-billy-alvarez-y-tres-directivos-mas/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aldianews.com/articles/culture/sports/arrest-warrant-issued-guillermo-alvarez-president-cruz-azul/59855|title=Arrest warrant issued for Guillermo Álvarez, president of Cruz Azul|date=31 July 2020|access-date=2 June 2021|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215535/https://aldianews.com/articles/culture/sports/arrest-warrant-issued-guillermo-alvarez-president-cruz-azul/59855|url-status=live}}</ref> He resigned from his position in August 2020 after more than three decades as club president.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/8620944/billy-alvarez-cruz-azul-no-paga-detenido-carcel|title = Billy Álvarez, ex presidente de Cruz Azul, no paga 500 millones de pesos; pisará prisión si es detenido|date = 11 May 2021|access-date = 31 May 2021|archive-date = 16 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210616085456/https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/8620944/billy-alvarez-cruz-azul-no-paga-detenido-carcel|url-status = live}}</ref> Álvarez remained a fugitive for over four years before being arrested in Mexico City on 16 January 2025 and transferred to the [[Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 1|Penal del Altiplano]] federal prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.as.com/en/2020/08/21/latest_news/1598042991_590319.html|title=Interpol is looking for Billy Álvarez in 195 countries|agency=AS USA|date=21 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Araujo |first1=Matias E. |title=Detienen a Billy Álvarez, ex directivo de Cruz Azul, en CDMX |url=https://www.infobae.com/mexico/deportes/2025/01/16/reportan-detencion-de-billy-alvarez-ex-directivo-de-cruz-azul-en-cdmx/ |access-date=16 January 2025 |agency=Infobae |date=16 January 2025 |language=es}}</ref>

On 6 December 2020, Cruz Azul played [[Club Universidad Nacional|Pumas UNAM]] in the [[Guardianes 2020 Liga MX final phase|Guardianes 2020]] semi-finals. Despite winning the first-leg 4–0, Cruz Azul lost the second-leg by the same scoreline. With the aggregate score level at 4–4, Pumas UNAM advanced to the final due to their higher placement in the regular season standings, in accordance by the competition's tiebreaker rules.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/8620944/billy-alvarez-cruz-azul-no-paga-detenido-carcel |title=Billy Álvarez, ex presidente de Cruz Azul, no paga 500 millones de pesos; pisará prisión si es detenido |language=es |date=6 December 2020 |access-date=6 December 2020 |archive-date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513092504/https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/8620944/billy-alvarez-cruz-azul-no-paga-detenido-carcel |url-status=live}}</ref>