Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez—two names etched into Real Madrid’s rich history—faced off in an intriguing Liga MX encounter that promised nostalgia and star power. Now thousands of miles away from the Santiago Bernabeu, they found themselves on opposite sides as Monterrey traveled to Leon for the final matchday of the Clausura 2025 season. It was a night billed as a celebration of past glories and present ambition. But what unfolded left fans and coaches with far more questions than answers.
Before kickoff, there was a moment of warmth: Ramos and James embraced at midfield, acknowledging their shared past. For a brief second, it seemed like the match might become a festive display of their soccer elegance. Instead, it quickly unraveled into a tale of misfortune.
James Rodriguez was sent off, and Sergio Ramos left the pitch injured, casting a shadow over their respective teams despite Monterrey’s 2-0 victory. The Colombian star received a red card for dissent after a confrontation with the referee, while the Spanish veteran, who had already picked up a yellow card earlier, limped off in the 73rd minute, clutching his right leg.
“Surely, if the referee found persistence in the complaint, he gave him a yellow card and then decided to send him off,” said Club Leon manager Eduardo Berizzo, “I didn’t ask about the dialogue between James and the referee.”
The red card will sideline James for the quarter-finals first leg against Cruz Azul, a significant blow for a side already seen as underdogs. Ramos, meanwhile, faces a race against time to be fit for Monterrey’s play-in clash with Pachuca on Sunday.
What happened to Sergio Ramos?
While Ramos helped marshal Rayados’ defense for much of the match, he was also at the heart of a heated exchange with Steven Mendos, which earned him a booking. It was the final chapter before his unfortunate exit, which came just minutes later.
According to TV Azteca, Ramos experienced pain in his right leg and left the pitch as a precaution. His coach, Martin Demichelis, acknowledged the concern but hoped for good news. “Sergio took a hit. Coincidentally, he also suffered a blow to the knee in the previous match,” he explained. “So we felt it was best to avoid any issues and replaced him. I hope it’s nothing serious.”
