By Alex Roberts
It took a short time for him to land on Monterrey, round eight months after his contract with Sevilla expired on the finish of the 2023-24 season. As one of many best defenders of all time, he had loads of choices.
The same old suspects approached him. Golf equipment in MLS and Saudi Arabia vied for his signature, however Sergio Ramos wasn’t . He’s by no means been one to go along with the grain, a footballing insurgent by means of and thru.
He had hoped to re-join Actual Madrid, pleading with Florentino Pérez and Carlo Ancelotti to let him fill the void left by Éder Militão after his second ACL tear in as many seasons. Sadly for Ramos, that door closed virtually as rapidly because it very barely cracked open.
2025 rolled round and he was nonetheless and not using a membership. Ramos had each proper to be choosy however with rumours of retirement beginning to flow into, the centre-back wanted to decide fairly rapidly.
Lastly, he ended up in Mexico with Monterrey. Managed by former Man Metropolis defender Martin Demichelis, they had been sitting in down in 10th in Liga MX when Ramos joined. Now, issues are beginning to search for.
The Estadio BBVA was packed out for the World Cup winner’s presentation. He walked out onto the pitch like he already owned it. A giant fish in a comparatively small pond, Ramos insisted he wasn’t there to mess about.
“I’m not right here for a trip. I’m somebody who by no means will get bored with profitable and doesn’t reside previously. I’m not right here to point out off what I’ve received however to chase new trophies and alternatives,” he mentioned to the jubilant crowd.
In typical Ramos type, he needed to stir the pot a little bit. Atlético Madrid followers will see it as a dig, whereas the Bernabéu devoted honour it as a loving tribute to one of the memorable moments within the membership’s already illustrious historical past.
He determined to go along with 93 as his shirt quantity, marking the minute he scored the equaliser towards Atéltico within the 2014 Champions League closing. Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo went on to attain in further time to win ‘La Decima’, Actual Madrid’s tenth Champions League title.
Ramos made his long-awaited debut within the 3-1 Liga MX win over strugglers Atletico de San Luis on February 23rd as captain, with Demichelis stating his “management, respect, and commanding presence make him the perfect alternative.”
The Spaniard initially mentioned it could take him just a few weeks to rise up to hurry, he was incorrect. Ramos took to Mexican soccer like he’d been taking part in there for the previous decade. High quality is permenant in spite of everything.
He scored within the three consecutive video games after his debut. First within the 4-2 league win over Santos Laguna, then a 12th minute opener within the 1-1 draw with Cruz Azul, and at last a 97th minute penalty within the 2-2 CONCACAF Champions Cup draw with Vancouver Whitecaps. Sadly, they had been nonetheless eradicated from the event.
Now, for these of us who haven’t lived beneath a rock for the previous 15 years, it’s recognized that Ramos has that canine in him. Three objectives in as many video games meant one factor, he was due a crimson card fairly quickly.
That’s precisely what occurred. He gave the referee no different choice however to flash a straight crimson card having lashed out at Pumas striker Guillermo Martínez however in fact he protested profusely. Fortunately for his facet it was within the 93rd minute and the sport was already received.
After his one sport suspension, a 2-1 defeat to Tijuana, he returned for the 3-1 win over Chivas. It was the quietest sport of his profession in Mexico to this point. He didn’t rating, didn’t get despatched off, merely put in a stable defensive show that helped his facet win a much-needed three factors.
The sport after that was a little bit totally different. Three crimson playing cards and simply as many objectives, Ramos needed to be concerned ultimately or one other. He put his facet 1-0 up within the 50th minute after one of many weirdest penalty conditions we’ve ever seen.
Tigres goalkeeper, Nahuel Guzmán, supremely assured in his personal talents, turned his again to Ramos whereas standing on the road, taunting one of the profitable gamers within the sport’s historical past.
The followers jeered, attempting to use as a lot strain as potential on Ramos, however he simply stood there, he’s been right here earlier than. In spite of everything was mentioned and executed, it took round two minutes earlier than Ramos truly took the spot-kick, which he, in fact, scored.
Two added time objectives from Tigres saved Guzman from wanting extra daft than he already did and received the Clásico Regio, one in all, if not the, greatest rilvalry in Mexico for the house facet.
Ramos had a little bit altercation with some annoyed Monterrey followers on the membership’s resort after the sport. He didn’t again down from these venting their frustration at shedding in such an enormous sport, later releasing a press release to assist ease tensions and let the followers know his facet will study from this newest setback.
Monterrey have since received their final two video games towards two of Mexico’s greatest sides, a 1-0 win over Membership America and a 2-0 victory over former Actual Madrid teammate James Rodríguez and León.
It’s been a fairly psychological begin to life in Mexico for our Sergio, and the drama is unlikely to finish anytime quickly – with Monterrey doing sufficient to earn a spot within the play-in spherical for the upcoming league playoffs, beginning on Sunday evening. The person is box-office wherever he goes, it could be his final journey as a participant, so ensure to remain tuned.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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