'Formula that hasn’t worked before' - Reaction mixed over former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey’s impending move to Pumas

Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey is just one signature away from becoming a Pumas UNAM player. An agreement is already in place between both parties, and the former Arsenal star is expected to join the Auriazules in the coming days. He would arrive as a free agent after his contract with Cardiff City expires this summer.

It’s rare for a British player to make the jump to Mexican football. Ramsey’s impending arrival has sparked widespread media attention in Mexico, with differing opinions emerging across sports outlets.

Adriana Maldonado, an ESPN Mexico journalist, emphasized the players's enthusiasm after visiting the team’s facilities: "Aaron Ramsey was delighted with his visit to Mexico.... While he’s no longer the player we knew from clubs like Juventus and Arsenal, Pumas’ gamble is about what he can contribute in the locker room. He’s a World Cup veteran who will bring his international experience to a youth system that the club hopes can bounce back in the coming months.

"This is a front office aiming to clean up the image left by the controversial signing of Dani Alves. With Ramsey, they’re using the same approach - a man of hierarchy, a national team captain, and a World Cup player who may not arrive in top form but will contribute motivation, experience, and write his own story in El Pedregal."

However, not all voices are optimistic. Carlos Daniel Salgado, reporter for TV Azteca, expressed skepticism: "Pumas is returning to a formula that hasn’t worked before. Schuster? Dani Alves? Each case had its context, but neither provided solutions during their respective crises. Thinking we’ll see the Ramsey from his Arsenal or Juventus days is unrealistic... From a fan’s perspective? It’s a great chance to see the final flashes of a player who starred in both the Premier League and Serie A - and that’s a rare sight in Mexico."

Meanwhile, others view the arrival of legends such as Ramsey as a boost to Liga MX’s global visibility. Sebastián García, from El Universal Deportes, stated: "It’s always important when players of that caliber and experience look toward Mexico. We’ve seen it recently with Sergio Ramos and James Rodríguez. Still, his age could be a concern. Beyond the media buzz, he’ll need to prove he’s here to contribute and not tarnish his legacy - especially at a historic club like Pumas."

Ramsey, who will turn 34 this year, may no longer be the same player who once shined for clubs such as Juventus and Arsenal, but Pumas is betting on what he can bring to the locker room. A World Cup veteran, Ramsey is expected to share his international experience with the club's academy players - a generation they hope will be rejuvenated in the coming months.

The Welshman reportedly dreams of playing in the 2026 World Cup, and sees Liga MX as a unique opportunity to immerse himself in the football of one of the host nations.

Ramsey is playing for Cardiff City in England’s Championship (second division), where he failed to score or assist in eight appearances during the 2024–25 season.

Aged 33, Ramsey boasts a storied European career, with spells at Arsenal, Juventus, Rangers, and Cardiff. His most memorable years came with the Gunners, where he made 369 appearances and scored 64 goals between 2008 and 2019.

The team, now under the guidance of Efraín Juárez, has already reported for medical exams this week and will travel to Playa del Carmen in the coming days to begin preseason training. Another player expected to announce his return to the club soon is Héctor Moreno, whose desire is to retire as a Pumas player.