Sergio Ramos is about to add another chapter in his already great career, and, let's be honest, this might be among the most unexpected ones. Aged 38 years, after a glorious run with Real Madrid, a less remarkable stint at PSG, and an even less memorable one at Sevilla, the Spanish center-back is in advanced talks to join Monterrey in Mexico. What initially looked like just another transfer rumor was finally confirmed by the club's president José Antonio Noriega in an interview with ESPN.
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Monterrey, already qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup, were looking for big reinforcements, and Ramos does seem to be one of those players who could give a lot of value both on and off the pitch.
Decision to choose Mexico
Real Madrid icon, natural-born winner, and a player with a career loaded with trophies, Sergio Ramos might have chosen a more conventional destination for his final years in soccer. A return to Spanish soccer? A move to a South American club? A lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia or the United States? Options were there, but Mexico seems to have captured his attention.
There could be several reasons for Monterrey to have made this move. The most obvious one would be that the club wants to feature in the 2025 Club World Cup. After its new format, the competition will be huge, with some of the most renowned clubs in the world participating. With Inter Milan, River Plate, and Urawa Red Diamonds in their group, Monterrey knows very well the experience and leadership required for such high-level competition.
Without the same level of agility, Ramos still demands respect. The name itself pulls some weight, and sometimes it only takes one presence to change things around completely. On the pitch, position, ability in the air, and tactical awareness are still weapons. Off the pitch, he's a born leader, which is what Monterrey needs in order to shape their competitive attitude.
A legend still wanting more
If there's one thing Sergio Ramos has never accepted, it's complacency. From his early days at Sevilla, when he emerged as a promising defender, to his rise as one of the greatest center-backs in Real Madrid's history, he has always pushed for more. In Madrid, he won everything possible-multiple Champions League titles, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Club World Cup-you name it.
Time eventually catches up with everyone, though, and the spell in PSG was underwhelming to say the least, very little impact at all. He was solid but a little lackluster back at Sevilla on return. This now is another challenge: one outside of that comfort zone- needing to show him still cutting it at a higher level.
What does Monterrey gain from having Ramos in the team?
On-field action apart, this one is for. Monterrey is not just another club in Mexico; it's one of the best-structured teams in North America, an ambitious project that aims to be among the elite on the continent. Adding a player of Ramos's experience raises the level of the defense immensely but also gives a boost to the mentality of the entire team. Packed with high-moment decisions and countless European titles, Ronaldo's international experience will make all the difference when the team needs leadership in crucial matches. His combative nature and history of stepping up to the plate when it matters most make him a respected figure-one who can inspire younger players in the locker room and raise the competitive level of the squad.
Off the pitch, there is also the importance of his arrival: Mexican soccer has long wanted to break into world markets, and acquiring perhaps the greatest defender ever would put Monterrey on the map internationally. With a name like Ramos in the roster, there will be noise, media interest that will strengthen the brand of the club and raise the profile of the club worldwide.
On a tactical level, even without the speed of his best days, the intelligence and reading of the game remain there to make him a solid defender. Ramos never had to be the fastest guy on the pitch; anticipation and decision-making always made up for any physical shortcomings. At Monterrey, he would bring defensive solidity and a level of experience few players in that squad can match.