Sergio Ramos has quickly become one of the standout figures in Liga MX with Monterrey, and his impressive form at nearly 40 years of age continues to draw praise from football legends. Former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes, a three-time Champions League winner, recently highlighted Ramos’ remarkable physical condition and the rarity of what he’s achieving in Mexico.
Getty Images SportRamos remains in good shape
Ramos remains a pillar, despite his age, for Monterrey – both as a leader at the back and as one of the most consistent performers in Liga MX.
Speaking to , Morientes called Ramos’ longevity “a special case,” noting that even in today’s game it’s rare to maintain such a high level for so long.
“As a defender, you can stretch your career a bit more. In modern football, some players reach 38 or even 40, but it’s not easy to do what he’s doing,” he said.
AdvertisementAFPIs it harder to be a forward than a defender?
The ex-striker also explained the contrast between positions, saying its more difficult for a forward to play as long as Ramos has.
“For a center forward, the physical decline shows sooner – you need explosive movement to win space and score goals. Your mind becomes more experienced, but your body starts to betray you,” Morientes explained.
Morientes retired at 34, having scored 143 goals in 421 league appearances.
AFPRetirement league?
Despite his admiration for Ramos, Morientes used the conversation to warn Liga MX against becoming a “retirement league” for aging stars.
“If Mexico wants to grow, it can’t just be a destination for players at the end of their careers," Morientes told in a separate interview. "The key is for footballers to arrive ready to compete, not just to enjoy the lifestyle."
For Morientes, Mexico has all the ingredients to be a genuine footballing powerhouse: passionate fans, strong infrastructure, and a rich culture of the sport. But he believes the next step is to raise the league’s competitive standard so Mexican clubs can consistently challenge on the biggest stages. If it does, Morientes expects the league can have a larger global imprint.
“It’s similar to what happened in Spain about 15 or 20 years ago. I work with La Liga now, so I’ve seen the process up close. I travel to Asia often, and over there you can watch any Spanish league match on TV…That didn’t happen before," he explained. "What does that mean? It shows that La Liga worked hard to sell its broadcasting rights so the games could be seen everywhere.”
Getty Images EntertainmentMorientes could have played in Mexico?
Morientes also revealed a lesser-known chapter from his own career. Before he officially retired, Toluca made an attempt to bring him to Liga MX. The former striker explained that after finishing his stint in France, with Marseille, he ultimately chose to end his playing days on his own terms.
“I preferred to leave when I could still do it with dignity and with titles in hand,” Morientes said.
