A new scandal shakes Real Madrid in the previous one of its decisive meeting against Salzburg at the 2025 Club World Cup. Sergio Ramos, the legendary former captain of the White Club, has unleashed a storm when demanding the immediate exit of a player’s player, stating that “he does not deserve to be here.” Although Ramos, who is currently at the Monterrey Soccer Club of the MX League, has not been part of Real Madrid since 2021, his statements have caused a stir due to their historical weight and emotional connection with the club. The controversy arises in a critical moment, with Real Madrid playing the leadership of Group H and the classification to the round of 16 in Philadelphia.

Ramos, 39, is in the United States participating in the Club World Cup with Monterrey, where it has been an outstanding figure, scoring a goal against Inter Milan and being named player of the match. Its impact on the tournament has not gone unnoticed, and their comments have resonated strongly in the Madrid environment. According to sources close to the locker room, Ramos communicated with former colleagues and expressed his discontent with the attitude of a member of the current squad, although the name of the indicated player has not been publicly revealed. “He does not deserve to be here. He does not understand what the shield means,” the Andalusian defender would have said, according to Spanish media reports.

Ramos’s statement comes in a high voltage context for Real Madrid. After a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal and a 3-1 victory against Pachuca, the team led by Xabi Alonso needs at least one draw against Salzburg to secure his pass to the next round. However, the absences for injuries of key players such as Eduardo Camavinga and the sanction of Raúl Asencio have complicated the plans of the Basque coach. In addition, the recent exclusion of Kylian Mbappé for gastroenteritis has added more pressure to the team, which depends on figures such as Vinícius Jr. and the young Gonzalo García to lead the attack.

The impact of Ramos’ words is not limited to the sports field. His history with Real Madrid, where he played 671 games, scored more than 100 goals and raised 22 titles, including four champions of champions, gives him a symbolic authority among the fans. However, his departure from the club in 2021 was marked by disagreements with the directive, especially with Florentino Pérez, which makes his comments interpreted by some as an attempt to influence the costumes from a distance. Others, on the other hand, see in their words a reflection of their commitment to the values ​​of Real Madrid, demanding a level of dedication that he always represented.

The player indicated by Ramos remains in anonymity, but the rumors point to possible internal tensions in the costumes, especially after Luka Modric’s recent criticisms of Xabi Alonso for the management of Arda Güler. The Spanish press speculates that the young Turk, who has had fewer minutes than expected, could be in the center of the controversy, although there is no official confirmation. The truth is that Ramos’s statements have generated a debate on the commitment of some players in a club that demands constant excellence.

Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, has avoided feeding the controversy. At a press conference, the coach limited himself to highlighting the importance of the match against Salzburg and the need to maintain concentration. “I respect Sergio, it is a legend, but our focus is in the field,” he said. Meanwhile, the Madrid fans are divided: some support Ramos for their defense of the club’s values, while others consider that their comments are inopportune, especially from outside the team.

The meeting against Salzburg, scheduled for the early hours of Friday (03: 00h Cest), will be a thermometer to measure the strength of Real Madrid in the midst of this media storm. With Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen leading the defense, and young people like Güler and Bellingham in the midfield, the team will seek to demonstrate that it can overcome adversities. However, Ramos’ words have left a shadow of doubt about the costume cohesion. While the world of football expects the outcome of this chapter, the figure of Ramos, even from Mexico, remains an indelible echo in Real Madrid.