Sergio Ramos has nothing left to prove. With over a thousand official matches played (1,005 to be exact), 144 goals, and 28 titles to his name, the Spanish defender is a living football legend. Still, at 39 years old, he remains hungry for glory. Now, wearing the Monterrey jersey, he sets his sights on one of the few titles that could still define this final chapter of his career: the Club World Cup.

The former Sevilla, Real Madrid, and PSG player refuses to back down. He will lead the ambitious Monterrey project in the tournament new format, where they share Group E with River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, and Inter Milan.

“It’s a unique opportunity, with a new format and a beautiful trophy… Winning it would be a huge dream. It’s part of the motivation that brought me to Mexico. It gave me the chance to compete in new tournaments,” Ramos said upon arriving at Monterrey.

He knows what it means to lift the trophy

Ramos is no stranger to Club World Cup glory. He won the title four times with Real Madrid under the previous format in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018. This time, his team isn’t considered a favorite, but his ambition remains unchanged.

“I’m a very optimistic person who always thinks big. I want to finish my final years in football by winning. There’s always time to deal with defeat. The team will go out with that mindset,” he stated.

Confidence in Monterrey despite the odds

Ramos is aware of the challenges Monterrey faces on the international stage, but he believes they have what it takes to cause an upset.

“Our goal is to perform well, to get through the group stage of course, and then we’ll see. In this kind of tournament, there are always teams that surprise everyone,” he added.

Fit and ready to face Inter

A right thigh injury sidelined Ramos in mid April, keeping him out of action for the play-in games against Pachuca and Pumas, as well as the quarterfinal against Toluca. However, he returned to the pitch on June 10, playing the first half of a friendly where Monterrey beat Atlante 3–0.

“Sergio wanted to go all-in right away, but we had to be careful because he was coming back from a serious injury. He doing great now, fully ready to face Inter,” said head coach Domènec Torrent.

“He a leader on the pitch it’s no secret. He commands respect and pushes his teammates… Sergio is going to help us a lot,” added the former Guardiola assistant.

Nine games, four goals… and a desire for redemption

Ramos start in Mexico wasn’t ideal from a team perspective. Monterrey was knocked out in the Clausura quarterfinals and the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16, leading to the departure of Martín Demichelis as head coach. Still, Ramos who debuted on February 22 after nine months without playing finished the season with solid individual numbers: nine appearances and four goals.

Facing River… the team that almost signed him

Fate has scripted a unique twist for Ramos. He will face River Plate in the group stage a club he nearly joined.

“I personally called Sergio last year when he was a free agent. He listened, thought about it, and later thanked me but turned down the offer,” revealed Demichelis.

Ironically, both would later meet at Monterrey. “When I joined Rayados, he was the first player I requested. The club tried, but it didn’t happen. Then in this last window, Ramos finally accepted the challenge,” the coach said.

His career isn’t over yet

Sergio Ramos is determined to write another chapter of glory. With Monterrey, he wants to show he still has what it takes both on the field and in the locker room. His mission is clear: to make history in the new Club World Cup.