Background and career
Juan Francisco "Paco" Palencia Hernández (born 28 April 1973) is a Mexican professional football manager and former footballer. Palencia began his career with Cruz Azul, where he played for nearly a decade and won multiple championships, including the Verano 1997 league title. He also participated in the 2001 Copa Libertadores, finishing as a runner-up and scored one goal in the final.
Palencia began his professional career with Cruz Azul after progressing through the club's youth system. He made his debut on December 23, 1994, in a match against Correcaminos. By his second season, Palencia had become a regular starter, contributing goals and assists. In 1996, he participated in Cruz Azul's Copa México victory, appearing as a substitute in the final against Toros Neza. The following year, he was part of the squad that won the club's eighth league title, defeating León at the Nou Camp. During this period, Cruz Azul also won consecutive CONCACAF Champions Cup titles in 1996 and 1997, with Palencia playing a role in both campaigns. After Carlos Hermosillo left the club in 1998, Palencia was named team captain, a role he held until 2001. In the 2001 Copa Libertadores, Palencia contributed to Cruz Azul's run to the final. He scored twice against River Plate and added two more goals against Rosario Central, including one in the final moments of the semifinal. Cruz Azul finished as runners-up after a penalty shootout loss to Boca Juniors.
Palencia joined La Liga club Espanyol on a one-year loan for the 2001–02 season. He made 31 appearances and scored six goals. After Cruz Azul and Espanyol were unable to reach a financial agreement, Palencia returned to Mexico.
In August 2003, Palencia transferred to Guadalajara following a breakdown in relations with Cruz Azul. In the Clausura 2004, Guadalajara reached the final, where they lost to Pumas UNAM in a penalty shootout. The following year, Palencia scored five goals during the club's 2005 Copa Libertadores campaign, which ended in a semifinal loss to Athletico Paranaense.
Palencia joined Chivas USA in August 2005, later than originally planned due to his commitments with Guadalajara. He scored twice in his debut and was named captain in 2006. At the time, he was the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, earning an annual salary of US$1,360,000. He made 34 appearances and scored 8 goals during his tenure.
Palencia signed with Pumas UNAM in January 2007. His performance varied over the seasons, but he played a leading role in the Clausura 2009, helping the team win the league title with a goal in the final against Pachuca. In the Clausura 2011, he scored in both legs of the final against Morelia, contributing to a 3–2 aggregate victory. This marked the third and final league title of his career. He retired from professional football on November 28, 2011.
Sources
Net-worth figure: Celebrity Net Worth (October 2026), in USD. Biography and career facts: the person's Wikipedia article and linked reporting. Snapshot date for all StarWorth figures: 28 October 2026.
