Club World Cup Scouting Report: Can Sergio Ramos and Monterrey deliver on heavy expectations?

A giant in CONCACAF competition, and a thorny all-Mexican team, Rayados might turn heads in the CWC

CF Monterrey bolstered their roster in the offseason with the addition of former Real Madrid and Spain legend Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard's experience is likely going to be something they bank on when they compete in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.

The Liga MX club are not unfamiliar with the competition, with five previous appearances. However, in the newly expanded format, they'll be introduced to multiple new clubs who will get a chance to see what the Mexican giants are all about.

There are plenty of familiar faces on their roster - in addition to Ramos. Former La Liga standouts Lucas Ocampos and Sergio Canales play for Raydos, while former Porto and Mexico star Jesus "Tecatito" Corona also plays there. With multiple El Tri internationals, such as German Berterame, on the squad, they'll look to impress. A giant in CONCACAF competition, and a thorny all-Mexican team, Rayados might turn heads.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.

Next up is Monterrey with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for the Mexican side at the tournament.

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The basics
DOMESTIC LEAGUE: Liga MX
CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: Five previous appearances, third-place in 2012 and 2019
GROUP: E (Inter Milan, Monterrey, River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds)
OPENING MATCH: Inter Milan - June 17, 9 p.m. ET, Pasadena

How they got here
Los Rayados qualified after defeating Club America in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions Cup final, claiming one of four allocated CONCACAF berths.
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The player to watch
German Berterame is a terrifying striker in the final-third. Since arriving at Monterrey in July 2022, he has made 119 appearances, scoring 48 goals. The Mexican, who can also compete on the right side of the pitch, excels in transition and navigating the box in tight spaces.
In the 2024-25 Liga MX Apertura, he scored six goals in 15 appearances - and in the Clausura, he scored seven in 13. For Monterrey this summer, he'll be their primary source for goals, with much of their attacking momentum rolling through his boots.

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Realistic expectations
Los Rayados should be competing for a spot in the knockout stage this summer. Although they will be viewed as underdogs against Inter in their opening match, there are very realistic outcomes in which they find results against both River Plater and Urawa Red Diamonds to finish second in the group.
With their tournament experience across North America through CONCACAF competitions, they'll feel they might have an upper-hand, too. Five-time winners of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, with a title as recent as 2021, they'll feel as though opportunity will be beckoning them.
With all three matches in the Group Stage being in Los Angeles, attendance will likely favor them, as well, offering somewhat of a home-field advantage.
"Our goal is clear. We want to make it out of the group stage by performing well and giving our fans something to shout about, just like we’ve been doing in recent weeks," winger Jesus Corona told FIFA ahead of the competition. "I think that’s what it’s all about and enjoying ourselves, because when we have fun, things tend to go our way."
If they do not finish second in the group, it will be a disappointment. One of Liga MX's finest, there are heavy expectations for them to represent both their league and country this summer.

Official tickets

The basics

How they got here

The player to watch

Realistic expectations