Aaron Ramsey appears to have settled in quickly to his new life in Mexico following his brief spell as Cardiff City boss, but he has been made to wait for a Wales recall
Aaron Ramsey’s career has taken him to Mexican football, where he has linked up with a former Celtic player(Image: Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
Interim Cardiff City manager to the Mexican top-flight is the most unique of paths, but it’s one Aaron Ramsey has gone down as he nears the end of his playing career.
Following his brief and unsuccessful attempt to keep the Bluebirds in the Championship, the Wales hero’s focus has returned to playing after joining Mexico City-based Club Universidad Nacional, known as Pumas UNAM, on a one-year deal. The 34-year-old shares the same agent as Pumas manager Efrain Juarez, who was a key figure in the signing.
It’s another fascinating juncture in the career of Ramsey, who has played for Arsenal, Juventus and Nice, as well as helping the national team to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Here’s a recap of his latest move and why he has been made to wait for a Wales recall…
Why Mexico?
Juarez, who had a brief spell at Celtic in the early 2010s, was a major factor in Ramsey’s quirky career move. Per Mediotiempo, Ramsey said: “I spoke a lot with the coach before coming, so I was excited about what he’s accomplished in his career so far, the success he’s had, the vision he has for Pumas. Obviously, coming to play for a club like this, the biggest club in Mexico, was an easy decision for me. I wanted to experience this.”
Ramsey admitted he needed to do his homework on the club first, saying: “To be honest, I didn’t know much, but I spoke to a few people beforehand, and I was impressed by the quality and competitiveness of the league.
“I think the matches I’ve played in have demonstrated the quality that exists in Mexico. It’s a great challenge that we’re looking forward to.”
Ramsey is relishing his move to Mexican football(Image: Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)Flying start
Ramsey has wasted little time in endearing himself to his new club and fans. After making his debut as a second-half substitute against Puebla, he then scored the only goal in the 92nd minute against Atlas after turning home a corner.
The midfielder, who was brought on as a substitute in the 73rd minute, celebrated by throwing his shirt into the air as he was mobbed by team-mates. Posting pictures of the game on social media, he wrote: “Vamos! Can’t beat that feeling.” Pumas return to action in the early hours of Saturday UK time when they host Mazatlan.
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It’s not just the football Rasmey will have to adapt to in Mexico but also the conditions. Pumas’ home ground, the 69,000-capacity Estadio Olimpico Universitario, is located almost 2,300 metres above sea level.
It’s not even the highest stadium in the country. Toluca play their home games almost 2,700m above sea level, meaning the air will be much thinner than he is used to. Cardiff City Stadium, for example, is just 65m above sea level.
Wales wait
Despite his return to action after a five-month injury layoff following hamstring surgery, Ramsey was left out of Craig Bellamy’s squad for the recent World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan and the friendly versus Canada.
Bellamy insisted it would have been irresponsible to recall Ramsey, who hasn’t played for Wales in 12 months, so soon but said he remains in his thoughts. Bellamy said: “He hasn’t played enough football over a period.
Craig Bellamy has explained why Rasmey isn’t ready for a recall(Image: 2025 PA Media)
“It wouldn’t be fair to call him, travel the distance, the time difference, and then travel to Kazakhstan – and expect him to play any part of it after being out for so long.
“The injury, particularly with a hamstring injury, it wouldn’t be responsible from us to do that or expect anything from him. I speak to him a lot. The idea with him is to get minutes, get training, and back to just playing football.
“If he’s available and he’s had a lot of minutes, and that comes from training as well, a consistent basis of being involved in football, then we’ll look again.”