Mexican soccer star Cuauhtemoc Blanco apparent winner of Cuernavaca mayoral race

Mexican soccer star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, left, gives the thumbs up sign during a news conference with Eduardo Bordonave, Morelos state president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), in Cuernavaca, Mexico during election day Sunday, June 7, 2015. Blanco has apparently been elected mayor of Cuernavaca, just south of Mexico City. Known for his pugilistic playing style, Blanco was equally combative at a victory news conference. "Now I've screwed them," he said of his rivals. (AP Photo/Tony Rivera) (The Associated Press)

Mexican soccer star Cuauhtemoc Blanco casts his vote during mid-term elections in Cuernavaca, Mexico, Sunday, June 7, 2015. Blanco has apparently been elected mayor of Cuernavaca, just south of Mexico City. Known for his pugilistic playing style, Blanco was equally combative at a victory news conference. "Now I've screwed them," he said of his rivals. (AP Photo/Tony Rivera) (The Associated Press)

MEXICO CITY – Mexican soccer star Cuauhtemoc Blanco has apparently won election as mayor of Cuernavaca, just south of Mexico City.

Preliminary vote counts published Monday show former star forward with 25.7 percent of votes. That's well ahead of his nearest rival, with 21.2 percent.

Blanco ran on the ticket of the tiny Social Democrat Party.

The 42-year-old former national team star jumped into the campaign full time after retiring on April 21. He had played limited minutes off the bench for the first-division Puebla team this year. He earlier played for the Chicago Fire in the MLS.

His lack of political experience has raised doubts among some.

Known for his pugilistic playing style, Blanco was equally combative at a victory press conference.

"Now I've screwed them," he said of his rivals.