Sergio Ramos believes Real Madrid remain the team to beat at the Club World Cup, despite a season without major silverware.
Speaking ahead of Monterrey’s Group E clash against Inter Milan, the former Real Madrid captain was clear about Los Blancos’ chances.
“Real Madrid are always favorites in the big competitions,” he said to reporters.
Now 39 and plying his trade in Mexico with Monterrey, Ramos has lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy four times with the Los Merengues, and his ties to the club run deep, as does his belief in their tournament pedigree.
“Real Madrid are the best in the world, for the level the club and players have, for the mentality that’s been sewn in there for so many years,”
The Spanish giants come into the Club World Cup on the back of a disappointing campaign. After winning the UEFA Super Cup in August, they fall short in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League, which marks their first trophy-less season since 2021.
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Still, Ramos isn’t counting them out, especially with a new face on the sidelines.
“Xabi’s arrival will be interesting; he won it all as a player, and he knows how the club works. That could help him a lot in this new era,” Ramos added, referring to new head coach Xabi Alonso.
What Sergio Ramos said on facing Real Madrid in Club World Cup?
Despite Real’s underwhelming 2024–25 season, Ramos pushed back on criticism of Kylian Mbappé, who joined the club last summer.
“In the next five or 10 years, I’d wager that Kylian will take four or five Ballon d’Or awards home,” said Ramos, who previously played alongside the Frenchman at PSG.
As for a potential reunion on the pitch, Ramos would rather avoid it.
“Facing off against your old teammates is always nice, but if we don’t meet, that would be a lot better, and both them and us can avoid that discomfort,”
Monterrey plays Inter Milan at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday (June 17). Meanwhile, Real Madrid kicks off their Club World Cup run Wednesday (June 18) in Miami, facing Al Hilal.
