The Club World Cup is always full of excitement, and this year is no different! One of the most interesting voices ahead of the tournament is none other than Sergio Ramos, the legendary defender who now plays for Monterrey, a top team from Mexico’s Liga MX. At 39 years old, Ramos has been around for a long time and has played with some of the best players in the world. He used to be the captain of Real Madrid, one of the most famous soccer clubs ever.
What Is the Club World Cup?
Let’s start with a quick soccer fact:
The FIFA Club World Cup is a global tournament that brings together the best soccer clubs from each continent. These clubs qualify by winning their continent’s top tournament, like the UEFA Champions League in Europe or the CONCACAF Champions Cup in North America.
This year, the tournament is being played in the United States, with matches in places like Pasadena, California, and Miami, Florida. It’s a big event because it gives clubs from different parts of the world a chance to face off and see who’s truly the best.
Ramos Backs His Old Team
Even though Ramos now plays in Mexico, his heart still holds a special place for Real Madrid, the team he captained for many years and won tons of trophies with.
In a press conference before Monterrey’s first game of the tournament against Inter Milan (a top team from Italy), Ramos made it clear who he thinks the favorite is:
“Real Madrid are always favorites in the big competitions,” he told reporters.
He went on to say that Real Madrid are “the best in the world” because of their high-level players and strong mindset. According to Ramos, the winning mentality at the club has been there for many years.
Real Madrid’s History of Winning
Here’s another cool soccer fact:
Real Madrid has won the FIFA Club World Cup a record five times — more than any other club! They also have 15 UEFA Champions League titles, which is the most in history. That’s one reason why Ramos says it’s hard to bet against them.
This year, Real Madrid has some fresh changes. They have a new head coach, Xabi Alonso, who used to be a great midfielder for the team. Ramos thinks that Xabi could be a great fit because he already understands the club from the inside.
“Xabi’s arrival will be interesting. He won it all as a player and he knows how the club works,” Ramos said. “That could help him a lot in this new era.”
New Stars at Madrid
Real Madrid also brought in some exciting new players. One of them is Trent Alexander-Arnold, a right-back known for his amazing crosses and assists. He played for Liverpool in England before making the big move to Spain. Another young signing is Dean Huijsen, a talented defender with a lot of potential.
These additions give Real Madrid even more firepower on the field.
Ramos Talks About Mbappé
Ramos also spoke about one of the biggest stars in soccer today: Kylian Mbappé. The French striker, who now plays for Real Madrid, used to be Ramos’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France. Many people expected Mbappé to help Madrid win everything this season, but they didn’t lift any major trophies.
Still, Ramos isn’t worried. He believes Mbappé’s best years are ahead of him:
“In the next five or 10 years, I’d wager that Kylian will take four or five Ballon d’Or awards home,” he said.
The Ballon d’Or is the award given to the best soccer player in the world each year. Only the top talents like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won it multiple times. Ramos thinks Mbappé could join them in history.
Monterrey vs Inter Milan
While Real Madrid gets ready to play their first game against Al Hilal, the champions of Saudi Arabia, Ramos and Monterrey will be up against Inter Milan. It’s a tough matchup, but Monterrey is confident.
“Facing off against your old teammates is always nice, but if we don’t meet, that would be better,” Ramos joked when asked if he’d like to face Madrid later in the tournament.
Monterrey has had success in Mexico, and they’ll try to show the world what Liga MX is all about.
Soccer Fact: Liga MX and CONCACAF
Here’s another fun fact:
Monterrey has won the CONCACAF Champions Cup multiple times, which is the top club competition for teams in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. That’s how they earned their spot in this year’s Club World Cup.
Madrid’s First Opponent: Al Hilal
As mentioned earlier, Madrid’s first game will be against Al Hilal. This team from Saudi Arabia is no pushover. They’ve won many titles in Asia and are known for their passionate fans. But Real Madrid will still be the favorites going into the match, thanks to their world-class talent and experience.
Ramos Still Has Fire
Even though Ramos is close to turning 40, he’s still going strong. He continues to lead Monterrey with his leadership and tough defending. He’s also helping younger players grow and learn from his experience.
Ramos said he’s excited to compete at this level and wants to make a mark in what could be his final Club World Cup.
Final Thoughts
This year’s Club World Cup is shaping up to be an exciting tournament with big names, fresh talent, and legendary players like Sergio Ramos bringing passion and experience to the field.
While Ramos will try to help Monterrey go far, his words remind everyone just how powerful Real Madrid has been — and continues to be — in world football.
Whether it’s the magic of Mbappé, the leadership of Xabi Alonso, or the new faces joining the squad, Real Madrid is once again the team everyone will be watching closely.
So, get ready for some world-class soccer as teams from all over the globe fight for one goal — to be crowned Club World Champions!
