Overview

• Monterrey had the resources to sign Cristiano Ronaldo but opted out to avoid a massive one-off expenditure
• The board rejected a roughly $20 million, four-match contract plus $1 million in hyperbaric chamber costs to prevent setting an unsustainable spending precedent
• Ex-Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos was identified as the key intermediary capable of persuading Ronaldo but his involvement wasn’t enough to reverse the decision
• Monterrey were the only Mexican side to reach the Round of 16 at the Club World Cup before elimination
• The team opened the Apertura 2025 with a 3-0 defeat to Pachuca, raising questions about its form heading into the season