PASADENA, Calif. — Sergio Ramos took flight under the California lights and turned back the clock.
The 39-year-old veteran defender picked his moment perfectly, drifting into the box and outsmarting two Inter Milan players before powering home a brilliant header to put Monterrey ahead in their opening Club World Cup match on Tuesday night. It was a vintage Ramos moment, which has combined experience, instinct, and strength on one of football’s finest stages, just as he did so often with Real Madrid and Spain.
His goal and his overall defensive presence had helped Monterrey earn a 1-1 draw against Champions League finalists Inter Milan in front of a passionate crowd at the Rose Bowl, which has set a confident tone for the Mexican side’s tournament ambitions.
“Helping the team with a goal is always special,” Ramos said afterwards. “But more important is getting a result. We put in a solid team performance. Football is about moments, and we shared one tonight.”
That moment was exactly what Ramos was aiming for when he made the bold decision four months ago to join Liga MX side Monterrey, turning down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer. While Rayados are a proud club with a strong domestic reputation, they don’t carry the same global weight as Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain. Yet for Ramos, the opportunity to return to the spotlight of international club competition was too good to pass by.
Part of his motivation to join Monterrey was the club’s place in the Club World Cup. After a nine-month break from the game, he wanted to return with purpose and on a stage that mattered.
FIFA, eager to inject global star power into the tournament, has made moves to include marquee names and big-market clubs. From fast-tracking Inter Miami’s spot, reportedly to get Lionel Messi involved, to exploring special transfer windows in hopes of luring Cristiano Ronaldo, the governing body has been strategic. Ramos, however, wrote his script.
And on Tuesday, the Spanish icon delivered for Monterrey, thereby scoring, leading, and celebrating with the energy of a player a decade younger. His trademark passion and leadership were on full display as Rayados matched one of Europe’s top clubs blow-for-blow.
Though best known for his defending, Ramos has been a surprisingly effective contributor in attack since arriving in Mexico. Monterrey wasted little time naming him captain, and fans have quickly embraced his leadership.
Monterrey earned their place in this Club World Cup by winning the CONCACAF Champions League back in 2021and at that time when Ramos was still with PSG, not long after ending his legendary spell with Madrid.
“He’s from a level of football that’s different,” said Monterrey coach Domènec Torrent after making his coaching debut. “He brings so much knowledge and character that had helped the entire group. He’s a leader, not just in words, but in everything he does. Every coach wants a player like that.”
Torrent added that Ramos’ influence is balanced up front by Sergio Canales, another Real Madrid alumnus. Canales nearly gave Monterrey the lead again in the second half with a 30-yard rocket that struck the post.
Despite the positives, the match wasn’t flawless. Inter equalized late in the first half through Lautaro Martínez, with Ramos partially involved in the breakdown. Still, the Argentine’s goal came after a sequence of sharp passing that would have tested any defense.
Ramos rallied in the second half, digging deep and helping his team secure a vital point. The veteran was everywhere, calming teammates, closing gaps, and ensuring Monterrey kept their hopes of advancing alive. He was deservedly named man of the match.
“We had a very strong second half,” Ramos said. “Inter is a tough team, so this result means a lot. It shows our character.”
Source:
Adapted from original reporting by AP News.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
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