Catching Everyone Off Guard: The Return of Veteran Defender Sergio Ramos Shakes Up the Club World Cup
Once-Unseen Sergio Ramos Makes a Surprising Return
Twitter Facebook Whatsapp Email Print Link Soccer superstar Sergio Ramos surprises everyone as he takes the pitch for Mexican side CF Monterrey, showing he's still got the touch after a lengthy absence from competitive play.
It's been ages since we've seen the indomitable Sergio Ramos on the field, but he's back with a vengeance, joining CF Monterrey ahead of the prestigious 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Since signing with the Mexicans in early February, the 39-year-old veteran has become a vital force for the team as its captain and leader.
BVB The Club World Cup Payday: Top earning potential for Borussia Dortmund players In the wee hours of Wednesday (CET), Ramos and Monterrey faced off against the star-studded Inter Milan, runners-up in this year's Champions League. Many in the crowd were familiar with Ramos from his historic stint at Real Madrid, where he won the Champions League four times or his time as a World and European champion with Spain, or his days at PSG, or his dedicated return to Sevilla.
Ramos Puts Team Success Over Personal Achievement
With his knack for getting goals with his head, it seemed like Ramos had slipped under the radar. However, during their match against Inter Milan on June 18th, he scored a dramatic header that put Monterrey in the lead for a brief moment. Despite three opposing defenders failing to disrupt his play, the fans went wild, particularly the Monterrey faithful who accounted for the majority of the approximately 40,000 fans (official figure) in the nearly 90,000-seat stadium.
Football Kobel's "Breath Was Completely Gone," Conditions "Trash"; BVB Hunts Down Form without "Stupid Excuses" Lautaro Martinez equalized for Inter Milan just before halftime, spoiling Monterrey's attempts at a major upset. Both teams struggled to convert opportunities during the rest of the match, with Ramos making a crucial save to prevent new Inter coach Cristian Chivu from securing his debut victory.
Some Rough Edges Remain
As Ramos winds down his career in Mexico, the rough-and-tumble player in him hasn't faded away. In a match against UNAM Pumas in mid-March, he picked up a red card for a deliberate foul and kicking his opponent while Monterrey led 3:1, just moments before the final whistle. The encounter marked Ramos's 29th dismissal in his career[6].
Football A Unique Atmosphere: FIFA Sparks Criticism and Awe at Club World Cup Attendance The unforgettable 2018 Champions League final is a stark reminder of Ramos's legendary status. In that game, he put Liverpool's Loris Karius in a headlock, leaving the goalkeeper with a concussion and costly mistakes that helped Real Madrid secure the victory[7]. "Was it intentional or negligent? Whether you support Real Madrid or not, it's a brutal move," Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool's coach, later commented to 'The Guardian'[7].
- Club World Cup 2025
- FIFA
- Inter Milan
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Signed to CF Monterrey in early 2025, Sergio Ramos is gearing up for his Club World Cup debut after a muscle injury kept him sidelined for over a month[1].
About CF Monterrey and Ramos's Role
Competing in Liga MX and recognized as the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners, CF Monterrey made their way into the FIFA Club World Cup under the leadership of new head coach Domènec Torrent. Torrent recognizes Ramos as a valuable leader, motivator, and rising star despite limited game time since joining in February 2025[1][5]. Ramos has played eight league matches and one CONCACAF Champions Cup game in 2025 so far[1].
The team also features other essential players including Sergio Canales whose creative play and match control will be vital for success in the challenging Club World Cup[1].
Club World Cup Group and Opponents
In Group E of the Club World Cup, Monterrey will go head-to-head with top teams like Inter Milan, River Plate, and Urawa Red Diamonds. The group promises to test Monterrey's versatility, experience, and endurance[1].
Performance Against Inter Milan
During the June 18, 2025 Club World Cup match, Sergio Ramos scored a crucial header in Monterrey's 1-1 draw against Inter Milan[2][3]. Despite being 39 years old, Ramos demonstrated his aerial prowess and leadership in this high-profile encounter.
Additional Context on Ramos’s Influence
In addition to playing for Monterrey, Ramos is actively working behind the scenes to bolster the team further. Ramos is rumored to be pushing for Cristiano Ronaldo to join the club for the Club World Cup, aiming to reunite their successful partnership from their Real Madrid days[4][5].
- Sergio Ramos, now captain of CF Monterrey, is leveraging his extensive experience in employing a community policy to foster a supportive and united locker room environment among team members.
- The recent sports event, the Club World Cup, has been a platform for Ramos to demonstrate his skills in both football and leadership, making a significant impact on CF Monterrey's performance.
