Sergio Ramos held advanced talks with Boca Juniors before opting to join CF Monterrey earlier this year, assistant coach Nicolás Sánchez said in media comments ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. Sánchez, who works on Domenec Torrent’s staff, disclosed that the 39-year-old defender told him negotiations with the Argentine club took place between December 2024 and January 2025 but ultimately stalled over financial terms. Monterrey announced Ramos’s signing in February, making the former Real Madrid and Spain captain the highest-profile recruit in Liga MX. He now skippers the Mexican side, which faces Borussia Dortmund in the tournament’s round of 16 on Tuesday. Dortmund figures have highlighted Ramos’s stature before the knockout tie. Coach Niko Kovac described the Spaniard as “a superstar,” while forward Karim Adeyemi admitted he is the only Monterrey player he recognises. Monterrey qualified for the fixture after finishing second in Group E, and Dortmund topped Group F with seven points.