Spanish defender Sergio Ramos reached a historic milestone in his career by playing his 1,000th professional match. However, the celebration was overshadowed by Monterrey’s elimination in the Concachampions Round of 16 at the hands of Vancouver Whitecaps.

At 38 years old, the veteran defender has spent over two decades competing at the highest level. He made his debut on February 1, 2004, with Sevilla, and has built a legendary career, most notably with Real Madrid, where he played 671 matches between 2005 and 2021, making him the fourth player with the most appearances in the club’s history.

Aside from his time at Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos has played 87 matches with Sevilla, split between his two spells at the club (2004-2005 and since 2023); 57 games with Paris Saint-Germain (2021-2023); and 5 matches with Monterrey since joining in 2025. On the international stage, he represented Spain 180 times, making him the most-capped player in La Roja’s history.

His 1,000th match ended in a 2-2 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps, a result that led to Monterrey’s elimination due to the away goals rule. Ramos scored a penalty goal, but it wasn’t enough to keep his team in the competition.

An Uncertain Future for Monterrey

Beyond the Concachampions disappointment, Monterrey’s season remains challenging. The team, led by Martín Demichelis, sits ninth in Liga MX, 10 points behind leaders Club León, raising doubts about the coach’s future.

Despite this bitter elimination, Sergio Ramos remains committed to his Mexican adventure. His experience and leadership will be crucial as Monterrey aims to come back stronger next year and chase their sixth Concachampions title, following their victories in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019, and 2021.