While Real Madrid remains focused on their upcoming Club World Cup clash against Juventus, head coach Xabi Alonso revealed a very personal motivation for the quarterfinals: the chance to face Sergio Ramos, now a defender for Monterrey, and his former teammate during the club’s golden era.

What Did Xabi Say About Ramos and Monterrey?

“First, we have to win. But with Sergio, we’ve shared many matches, a great friendship. I’m happy to see him still performing at this level and still hungry to compete. Hopefully, we can meet in the quarterfinals,” said Xabi Alonso during a pre-match press conference ahead of the match against Juventus.

The statement, full of admiration, underscores not just the bond between two Real Madrid legends, but also Xabi’s emotional investment in the possibility of facing Ramos once more—this time as rivals on a global stage.

What Needs to Happen for That Matchup to Occur?

For this highly anticipated reunion to happen, two things must occur:

• Monterrey must defeat Borussia Dortmund in their Round of 16 clash.
• Real Madrid must overcome Juventus in their own knockout match.

Both fixtures are set to be played this week in the United States, as part of the opening rounds of the Club World Cup 2025 elimination stage.

What’s the Current Situation for Real Madrid?

Xabi Alonso, who took over as Real Madrid manager just three weeks ago, has already made a strong impact in the locker room. In his latest media appearance, he confirmed that Kylian Mbappé could return after recovering from gastroenteritis, and that Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão are available to face Juventus.

He also praised Rodrygo, highlighted the contribution of academy players, and emphasized that the team is locked in:
“From now on, it’s win or go home.”

A potential duel with Sergio Ramos is not just nostalgic—it would be a battle between old friends, now on opposing sides of football’s global stage.