Good old Sergio Ramos: Ex-Real Madrid star sparks debate after questionable move helps Monterrey edge past James Rodriguez-less Club Leon in Liga MX

Ramos challenged Cortizo in the air, but as he descended, the ball struck his hand. Here’s where the controversy began.

Liga MX fans had circled Matchday 5’s clash between Club Leon and Monterrey as a reunion of two former Real Madrid icons, Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez, now on opposite sides of the pitch. But the anticipated head-to-head never materialized. James was ruled out at the last minute from Eduardo Berizzo’s squad, with former Rayados midfielder Jordi Cortizo stepping in to fill the void.

It was the first match the Colombian star had missed in the Apertura 2025, having featured in all three of Leon’s opening league games and every Leagues Cup fixture against CF Montreal, New York City FC, and Columbus Crew. He had even opened his domestic scoring account with a goal against Chivas.

Despite James’ absence, the game delivered drama—though not in the way fans expected. Monterrey left Leon Stadium with a 3-1 victory, but the headlines belong to Sergio Ramos, whose decision in the first half left many questioning his commitment to the principles of Fair Play.

The drama unfolded in the 22nd minute, with Monterrey already holding the lead. Following a corner kick for Rayados, the ball bounced through a crowded area at the edge of Leon’s penalty box. Ramos challenged Cortizo in the air, but as he descended, the ball struck his hand. Here’s where the controversy began.

Referee Luis Enrique Santander blew his whistle, not for a foul against Ramos, but in favor of Monterrey. Believing a Leon player had committed the handball, he awarded a free kick to the visitors. Leon players surrounded the referee in protest, convinced that Ramos was the offender. But Santander stood firm. Neither the assistant referees nor the VAR team could intervene, as the incident occurred outside the penalty area and did not involve a potential red card or offside.

How did Ramos react to the situation?

What happened next has the potential to turn into one of the most talked-about moments of the season, Mexican media suggests. Instead of admitting the truth, the 39-year-old veteran stayed silent. Even when Jordi Cortizo—his former Monterrey teammate—urged him to own up to the handball, Ramos ignored him. The Spanish defender maintained the advantage granted by the mistaken call.

Incredibly, Ramos himself stepped up to take the free kick. His shot soared over the crossbar, but the act had already been done. The chance to uphold Fair Play had been passed over, and Monterrey’s advantage remained intact.

As Mexican outlet Record reported: “Even though he knew he was the one who had touched the ball with his hand, he didn’t notify the referee… He ignored Cortizo’s request and took the free kick himself.”

Why VAR stayed out of it

The non-intervention of VAR quickly became another talking point. By the Liga MX rules, the technology can only review specific incidents: penalties, offsides, or red cards. Since the handball occurred just outside the area and was not a sending-off offense, the on-field referee’s judgment stood unchallenged, Record added.

This meant that, despite video evidence showing the ball striking Ramos’ hand, there was no mechanism to overturn the decision. Fans and analysts debated whether such limitations in VAR use allow gamesmanship to go unchecked.

For some, the incident was a reminder of the competitive edge that has defined Ramos’ career—sometimes celebrated, other times criticized. His decision not to correct the referee’s error falls squarely into the “win at all costs” category, a trait that endeared him to Real Madrid fans but often drew the ire of rivals.