Unwanted Attention: Ramos' Red Card Sparks Outrage in Mexico
Coach's wrath is renewed as Sergio Ramos returns to boisterous antics on the field
38-year-old Sergio Ramos, a famed footballer with a career spanning two decades, has created a ruckus in the Mexican football scene much like he did in Europe. The latest incident happened during his stint with CF Monterrey when he was indisputably sent off for a dirty play against UNAM Pumas.
In a heated contest that ended with a 3:1 score in Monterrey's favor, Ramos received a straight red card in the final moments of the game for a dangerous tackle on a charging opponent. However, the referee should have sent him off much earlier when he purposely elbowed an opponent in the face during the 20th minute, a moment that left opposing coach Efrain Juarez feeling disillusioned. "Regardless of who he is, he should set a good example on the field," Juarez voiced his frustration post-match. "Such instances are not just infuriating, they're disheartening for our sport."
Ramos, once a famous face in European football, had left his tenure with Sevilla last summer but his controversial style of play continues to cause controversy, even in Mexico. With a career tally of 30 red cards, this incident marked his debut ejection since joining Monterrey in February.
The football world remembers Ramos for his questionable actions in high-profile matches during his time with Real Madrid. Notably, he elbowed Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius during the 2018 Champions League final, resulting in the goalie's concussion and two costly mistakes later in the game. Coach Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool faced disappointment as Ramos emerged victorious, leaving a lasting impression of Ramses-like ruthlessness on the football world.
Another controversial moment came when Ramos severely injured Mohamed Salah in the same Champions League final, forcing the Egyptian forward to be substituted in the 30th minute. "Though he may not have intentionally damaged Salah's shoulder, we all know he took a risk," Klopp told fans on the "Einfach mal Luppen" podcast by the Kroos brothers.
[Source: ntv.de, ter]
Interesting Tidbits:
- Ramos's red card against UNAM Pumas marked his first card in the Liga MX league. He'll miss at least one game, against Xolos de Tijuana, due to the suspension.
- Ramos's aggressive playstyle has been a hallmark of his career, earning him the record for most red cards in La Liga.
- Before moving to Mexico, Ramos received red cards while playing for Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla, including one in November 2023 against Real Sociedad.
- I'm not sure I'm ready for this, as I've heard about the controversial style of play Sergio Ramos, the renowned footballer now with CF Monterrey, is known for, even in his new league, Liga MX.
- The recently disappointing display by Ramos on the field during the match against UNAM Pumas stirred conversations on Whatsapp groups and sports forums, with many discussing his aggressive tackles, such as the one that led to his first red card in the league.
- With Ramos's renewed contract with Monterrey and his history of rash decisions on the field, fans are eagerly waiting to see if he can renew his reputation for controversy in Mexico or if he can set a new course for himself in this league.
