Monterrey’s elimination from the Apertura 2025 did more than end a title run — it pushed Sergio Ramos to finally address the question that had been hovering over his season: would he continue in Mexican football?
Minutes after the semifinal defeat to Toluca, the Spanish defender delivered the clarity everyone had been waiting for.

“It Was My Last Match”: Ramos Confirms His Decision

While head coach Domenec Torrent said he wasn’t sure whether he and Ramos would continue together in 2026, the centre-back himself left no room for speculation.
Speaking on the pitch, Ramos confirmed what had already been widely expected:

“I made it clear last week. Obviously, yes — this was my last match.”

With that, Ramos officially closes his chapter in Liga MX, becoming one of the final active members of Spain’s legendary 2010 World Cup–winning generation to step away from top-flight football.
Only Raúl Albiol, Pedro Rodríguez and Juan Mata remain active after Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retired following their MLS spell with Inter Miami.

A Brutal Self-Assessment After Monterrey’s Defeat

The loss to Toluca hit the squad hard, and Ramos didn’t sugarcoat the performance when analysing the semifinal:

“Losing a semifinal always hurts. We practically gave away the first half. We lacked intensity, rhythm, personality, and the courage to keep the ball.”

He drew a sharp contrast between Monterrey’s two halves:

“You can lose — that’s part of football — but you lose playing like we did in the second half, not like in the first, which we completely gifted away.”

His comments reflected a team that, despite heavy investment and title expectations, once again fell short of reaching a final.

A Farewell That Forces Monterrey Into a New Era

Ramos’ departure leaves Monterrey with an immediate structural challenge. Beyond replacing his defensive quality, the club must also fill the leadership void he leaves behind.
For Ramos, the next step in his career remains undisclosed, but one thing is now certain: his time in Mexico has come to an end.

His spell with Rayados may have been brief, but it brought experience, media impact, and a veteran presence that shaped the dressing room. Now Monterrey must evolve — and Ramos moves on from a final chapter that ends with honesty, conviction, and a clear goodbye.