- Spanish defender Sergio Ramos has joined Monterrey on a free transfer
- He will wear an unusual squad number as a tribute to former club Real Madrid
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LaLiga legend Sergio Ramos has signed a one-year contract with Mexican club Monterrey.
The 38-year-old had been a free agent since June when he ended his second spell with hometown club Sevilla.
Ramos made 87 appearances for Sevilla in total. He also played 58 times for Paris Saint-Germain during a two-year stint in France.
But he is best known for his 16 seasons with Real Madrid, where he won 22 trophies – including four Champions League crowns and five LaLiga titles.
Defender Ramos played 671 games for Madrid and scored 101 goals. His most famous goal perhaps came in the 2014 UEFA Champions League final when he netted a 93rd-minute equaliser before Real went on to beat local rivals Atletico 4-1 after extra time.
In an interesting gesture to his former club, Ramos has opted to wear the No 93 as his Monterrey squad number.
Spanish defender Sergio Ramos has joined Monterrey in Mexico’s Liga MX on a free transfer
Ramos will wear the No 93 on his back for his new club, in a tribute to his Real Madrid career
The most iconic goal of his Real Madrid career came in the 93rd minute of the 2014 UCL final
Monterrey confirmed the news about Ramos signing and his new shirt number on Thursday night.
Madrid then published a short club statement on Friday morning. It read: ‘Sergio Ramos will play for C.F. Monterrey. His shirt number chosen to remember a legendary moment for our club: minute 93. A tribute to madridismo, a reminder of a moment that changed our history. Eternally grateful, @SergioRamos. We wish you lots of luck and success.’
Ramos wore No 4 on his back throughout his Madrid career.
As well as achieving remarkable success with Madrid, Ramos enjoyed a stellar international career with Spain between 2005 and 2021.
He earned 180 caps for his country, scoring 23 goals.
Ramos was part of the famous Spain side that won three major trophies back to back by triumphing at the 2008 and 2012 European Championships either side of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Ramos, who also won three trophies with PSG, will be hoping to add to his list of major honours in Mexico.
Monterrey have won the CONCACAF Champions League five times but have not lifted a trophy of any kind since their last continental triumph in 2021.
Ramos lifted 22 trophies as a Real Madrid player, including four Champions League crowns
Monterrey will be the fourth club Ramos has played for – after Sevilla, Real Madrid and PSG
Monterrey will be one of three Mexican teams at this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in USA.
Ramos won the Club World Cup four times during his Madrid career but that was when it was a seven-team event.
This year’s tournament will feature 32 clubs, with the winning team playing seven matches.
Monterrey will compete in Group E alongside River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds and Inter Milan.
