Once seen as a haven for global soccer icons seeking to reignite their careers,&nbsp;Liga MX’s luster is starting to fade. In recent months, fans in Mexico have witnessed a slow but undeniable exodus of star names. After James Rodriguez’s expected departure from Club Leon, another former European standout has quietly packed his bags — while&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/sergio-ramos/">Sergio Ramos</a>&nbsp;continues to ponder his own uncertain future at Monterrey.



Sergio Ramos’ arrival in Mexico was headline material. The former Real Madrid captain, a legend of both Spain and Europe, joined Monterrey in early 2025 following a short return to Sevilla. It was a bold move, one that turned the spotlight toward <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/liga-mx/">Liga MX</a> once more.



Now, captain under coach Domenec Torrent, Ramos has already notched&nbsp;seven goals in 26 appearances, leading his side to the&nbsp;2025 Club World Cup Round of 16. But with his contract set to expire in December, the Spaniard has admitted his future is up in the air.&nbsp;“Yes, it’s true that my contract ends in December, but hopefully we can stay here because we’re very happy and comfortable,”&nbsp;Ramos said.



While the Spaniard still enjoys adoration in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/monterrey/">Monterrey</a>,&nbsp;his star appeal reflects a broader pattern of Liga MX’s fleeting relationship with European veterans&nbsp;— a league that can seduce big names but often struggles to sustain them.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251101_WST_600644_sergio-ramos-monterrey-6-1200x675_c2ae8c76.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="Sergio Ramos of Monterrey." class="wp-image-598639" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Sergio Ramos of Monterrey.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>James Rodriguez: From stardom to uncertainty</h2>



The story of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/james-rodriguez/">James Rodriguez</a> perfectly captures this paradox. Leon had bet big on the Colombian playmaker after his departure from Rayo Vallecano. His signing was one of the most glamorous in recent Liga MX history, coming with expectations of international relevance and commercial appeal.



But those expectations quickly crumbled. Leon’s&nbsp;disqualification from the FIFA Club World Cup, coupled with inconsistent form, created a toxic mix. According to&nbsp;ESPN, Club Leon has&nbsp;decided not to renew James Rodríguez’s contract, which expires at the end of the Apertura 2025 season.



Now 34, James is reportedly exploring options both within Mexico and abroad, though&nbsp;“a move to MLS could be complicated due to its calendar,”&nbsp;per&nbsp;ESPN. As the 2026 World Cup looms, he hopes to maintain form to captain Colombia one last time on soccer’s grandest stage.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251101_WST_600644_James-Rodriguez-3-1200x675_6da20f68.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="James Rodriguez" class="wp-image-581338" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>James Rodriguez of Leon</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Another ex-Europe star bows out</h2>



While Ramos and James have kept their futures in the headlines, another ex-European star has already said goodbye to Mexico.&nbsp;After months of injuries and personal turmoil, Welsh midfielder <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/aaron-ramsey/">Aaron Ramsey</a> has terminated his contract with Pumas UNAM, bringing his short Mexican chapter to an abrupt end.



Ramsey, who joined the club in July 2025 after leaving Cardiff City, was hailed as a marquee signing — the first British player of his caliber to feature in Liga MX. But reality soon clashed with expectation. The 34-year-old managed just&nbsp;six appearances and one goal&nbsp;before injuries derailed his season.



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Worse yet, tragedy struck off the field. Ramsey’s beloved dog, Halo, went missing in Guanajuato in early October. Distraught, the midfielder launched a social media campaign offering a&nbsp;$20,000 reward&nbsp;for her safe return. “What I’d do to hold you one last time, Halo,” he wrote in a heartbreaking Instagram post.



According to&nbsp;ESPN Mexico, the emotional strain of the incident, combined with ongoing muscle injuries, left Ramsey&nbsp;“completely distracted”&nbsp;and unable to report for training. Ultimately, both player and club agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent.



In a brief statement, Ramsey admitted:&nbsp;“It was not an easy choice, but I believe it is the best decision for me at this moment.”&nbsp;He has since returned to the UK to be with his family and is considering retirement or a transition into coaching.

Sergio Ramos faces Liga MX star exodus as players exit one by one: Monterrey captain watches another big name leave with James Rodriguez set to follow

Sergio Ramos faces Liga MX star exodus as players exit one by one: Monterrey captain watches another big name leave with James Rodriguez set to follow - World Soccer Talk

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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/pumas-unam/">Pumas UNAM</a> are looking to bounce back after a rough start to the 2025–26 season, which opened with back-to-back losses in the Liga MX Apertura. In an effort to turn things around, the Mexican club has already landed Aaron Ramsey, and now they’re reportedly eyeing another marquee signing: a three-time UEFA Champions League winner with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/">Real Madrid</a>.



Following a lengthy career in Europe, Welsh international <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/aaron-ramsey/">Aaron Ramsey</a> accepted Pumas’ offer, generating excitement among fans. During his introductory press conference, the midfielder credited head coach Efraín Juárez as a key reason for making the move:



“He was very influential. That was one of the main reasons I came—he’s a young coach who’s already achieved success, and I’m eager to get involved and play my part,” Ramsey said. The 33-year-old missed recent matches against Pachuca as he continues recovering from a hamstring operation. His debut is expected during the Leagues Cup at the start of August.



<h2>Pumas set their sights on Keylor Navas</h2>



According to transfer expert César Luis Merlo, Pumas UNAM are making a serious push to sign <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/keylor-navas/">Keylor Navas</a> in the summer of 2025. The former Real Madrid star has made an impressive return to the field with standout performances at Newell’s Old Boys, catching the attention of the Mexican club.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250721_WST_580175_keylor-navas-newells-old-boys-1200x675_ed137268.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-580179" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20211645/keylor-navas-newells-old-boys-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20211645/keylor-navas-newells-old-boys-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20211645/keylor-navas-newells-old-boys-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20211645/keylor-navas-newells-old-boys-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20211645/keylor-navas-newells-old-boys-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20211645/keylor-navas-newells-old-boys-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20211645/keylor-navas-newells-old-boys-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20211645/keylor-navas-newells-old-boys.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



After spending six months as a free agent following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, the Costa Rican legend joined the Argentine side in January 2025 and also came out of retirement from international duty. Pumas have reportedly offered $1.3 million to acquire the veteran goalkeeper, who may be playing his final games in Argentina.



Navas, for his part, is pushing for the move to happen. Newell’s head coach Cristian Fabbiani revealed that the goalkeeper asked to be on the bench for Sunday’s match, prompting the coach to remove him from the squad altogether for their upcoming Argentine league fixture.



In Pumas’ recent loss to Pachuca, 17-year-old goalkeeper Rodrigo Parra was widely criticized for costly mistakes that directly led to goals. At 38 years old and with three <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/champions-league/">Champions League</a> titles to his name, Navas could bring the leadership and experience the Mexican side desperately needs between the posts.

Pumas UNAM eye sensational move for Real Madrid’s three-time UCL champion after Aaron Ramsey signing

Pumas UNAM reportedly targeting three-time UCL winner with Real Madrid after signing Aaron Ramsey - World Soccer Talk

Pumas UNAM reportedly targeting three-time UCL winner with Real Madrid after signing Aaron Ramsey

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Sergio Ramos faces Liga MX star exodus as players exit one by one: Monterrey captain watches another big name leave with James Rodriguez set to follow

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Pumas UNAM reportedly targeting three-time UCL winner with Real Madrid after signing Aaron Ramsey