Sergio Ramos’ cheeky post on social media proved he is well aware of his reputation for being a red card magnet.
The 38-year-old started for Mexican side Monterrey as they cruised to a 3-1 victory over Pumas UNAM in a Liga MX clash on Monday. Ramos didn’t finish the match, however.
Ramos’ former Real Madrid teammate Sergio Canales opened the scoring for Monterrey in the 49th minute from the penalty spot.
Iker Fimbres and German Berterame’s second-half strikes put Monterrey in cruise control, but there would be one final twist.
Minutes after Guillermo Martinez Ayala scored a consolation for Pumas from the spot, Ramos hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Martinez looked to skip by the World Cup winner on the right side, only for Ramos to poke the ball out of play.
However, Ramos decided to give Martinez a shove before attempting to kick him from behind following his tackle.
Martinez immediately gesticulated to the linesman that Ramos had gone overboard.
It seemed even Ramos knew his actions weren’t exactly sportsmanlike as he held his hand up to apologise.
But Ramos’ demeanour changed once he saw Martinez complaining to the official.
Unfortunately for Ramos, Martinez’s frustrations got the referee involved and he brandished a straight red card for the 38-year-old.
It marked the 30th time Ramos has been sent off in his career, although it had no impact on the final result.
Ramos addressed the incident on social media and poked fun at the fact he constantly picks up red cards.
“Very important win away from home against a difficult team,” Ramos wrote.
“Time to rest and prepare what’s next.
“P.S.: It was obvious I couldn’t leave this league without a red card. +3 and onwards!”
Although Ramos could see the funny side of it all, Pumas manager Efrain Juarez did not.
Juarez was also left irate by the fact Ramos was not sent off for an earlier foul.
“Whatever his name is, it has to be an example,” Juarez said.
“If someone from our country had done that, they’d be out from the 20th minute, not the 90th, trying to make amends. That bothers me.
“We must protect our football. He [Ramos] elbowed a kid who, just the day before, said he was his idol.”
