Sergio Ramos stole the spotlight in the 1-1 draw between Rayados de Monterrey and Inter Milan in their Club World Cup 2025 opener. The Spanish defender opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a well-executed set-piece assisted by Óliver Torres, and led the team with poise against the European runners-up. His stellar performance earned him the Man of the Match award, which he proudly showed off on social media—sparking backlash from Tigres fans, Rayados’ fierce local rivals.

Team-first mindset despite the spotlight

Even after being named MVP, Ramos kept things grounded: “It’s always a great feeling to contribute, but personal awards don’t matter as much. It’s all about the team.” He also praised his squad: “Going toe-to-toe with Inter shows what Rayados are about and the mindset we brought into this tournament.” He was also crucial defensively, catching Lautaro Martínez offside and preventing a second-half goal.

Reflecting on the result, Ramos didn’t sugarcoat it: “You’re never fully happy without the win, but one point is better than none.” Looking ahead to the next clash with River Plate, he added: “We did a lot of things right and made some mistakes too. River is going to be a serious challenge.” The Argentine side leads the group after beating Urawa Reds, making the upcoming game a must-win.

Praise for Mastantuono and a message to the fans

Before facing River, Ramos took a moment to give props to Franco Mastantuono: “He’s got a bright future ahead. I wish him all the best, especially at Real Madrid.” Between his words off the pitch and his leadership on it, the World Cup winner has quickly become the face of this Rayados squad.

While Monterrey fans are celebrating their new star, Tigres supporters didn’t hold back online, showing just how fierce the rivalry is. But for Rayados, having a veteran like Sergio Ramos leading the charge in a global tournament feels like a bold step toward international glory.