Aaron Ramsey Becomes Pumas’ First Departure of the Apertura 2025

Welsh Midfielder Terminates Contract After Injury Struggles and Personal Turmoil

Aaron Ramsey’s brief and turbulent chapter in Mexican football has officially come to an end. The Welsh international midfielder has terminated his contract with Pumas UNAM, marking the club’s first official departure of the Apertura 2025 campaign.

It’s a sad conclusion to what many hoped would be a refreshing new adventure for the 34-year-old former Arsenal and Juventus star. His time in Mexico City, however, was plagued by injuries, off-field struggles, and a personal tragedy that deeply affected his emotional state — culminating in an early exit that feels inevitable yet unfortunate

A Move That Was Weeks in the Making

According to ESPN Mexico, the separation had been in the works for several weeks. The club was merely waiting for Ramsey to return to Cantera, Pumas’ training facility, to finalize the termination paperwork.

Despite his reputation and experience, Ramsey never managed to make the desired impact in the Mexican top flight. He appeared in only six matches, starting three of them and logging just 235 minutes of game time. His single highlight came in the form of a lone goal — a moment that briefly hinted at what could have been.

For Pumas fans, Ramsey’s arrival had generated enormous excitement. Here was a Premier League veteran, a Champions League regular, a player once hailed as one of Britain’s most gifted midfielders. But that initial buzz quickly gave way to frustration as injuries and absences defined his short-lived stint.

Injuries and Inactivity Define Ramsey’s Mexican Journey

From the moment he landed in Mexico, Ramsey’s fitness was under scrutiny. He arrived already nursing a long-term muscular injury sustained during his final weeks in Europe, and that setback delayed his debut for several months.

When he finally stepped onto the pitch, flashes of his trademark vision and intelligence were visible — but only in short bursts. Recurring muscle issues, particularly in his hamstrings and calves, repeatedly derailed his rhythm and kept him off the team sheet for most of the Apertura season.

It wasn’t just physical fatigue; insiders describe Ramsey as mentally drained, struggling to adapt to the high altitude of Mexico City and the intense travel schedule across Liga MX. For a player accustomed to the facilities and routines of Europe’s elite clubs, the transition proved far more difficult than anticipated.

A Personal Ordeal Adds to the Chaos

If the physical toll wasn’t enough, Ramsey’s final weeks with Pumas were overshadowed by an emotional ordeal. During the last FIFA international window, the midfielder had planned to fly to Wales to spend time with his family — but tragedy struck when his dog went missing in Mexico.

The incident hit Ramsey hard. Reports from local outlets and team sources suggest that he remained in Guanajuato, desperately searching for his pet rather than returning to the capital for rehabilitation.

As a result, he missed his national team call-up and failed to report back to Pumas for training, deepening the tension between player and club. While Ramsey’s absence was initially excused on compassionate grounds, his continued unavailability led to private discussions about a mutual termination — which has now been confirmed.

Pumas’ Struggles Continue Ahead of the Liguilla Push

For Pumas UNAM, Ramsey’s departure comes at a particularly fragile time. The team currently sits 14th in the Liga MX table, hovering outside the Liguilla qualification zone.

Head coach Efraín Juárez now faces the challenge of reshaping his midfield without one of his most experienced and technically capable players — albeit one who was rarely available.

Ramsey’s leadership and European pedigree were seen as valuable assets when he signed, but the team’s reliance on younger domestic talents has now become unavoidable. Midfielders like José Caicedo and Ulises Rivas are expected to step up in Ramsey’s absence as Pumas aim to salvage their Apertura campaign.

What Went Wrong for Ramsey in Mexico?

From a footballing standpoint, Ramsey’s spell at Pumas will go down as a missed opportunity for both parties. For the player, it was a chance to rejuvenate his career in a new environment — away from the intensity of European football. For Pumas, it was an opportunity to blend experience with their youthful squad and attract more international attention.

But fate had other plans. Injuries, fatigue, and emotional distress combined to make his time in Mexico frustratingly short and largely unproductive. Even when fit, Ramsey struggled to adapt to the rhythm and physicality of Liga MX, a league known for its demanding tempo and heavy travel schedule.

Sources close to the player revealed that he never felt fully settled, both professionally and personally. His family spent significant time outside Mexico, and the emotional distance only deepened after the incident with his pet. It all added up to a situation that became untenable.

A Career Nearing Its Final Chapter

With his exit now official, the question naturally turns to what’s next for Aaron Ramsey.

At 34, his options are limited — though his name still carries weight in certain circles. A return to Europe could be on the cards, with rumors linking him to clubs in Wales and the Championship, where the pace may suit his current physical condition better.

Alternatively, some reports suggest Ramsey may consider retirement, particularly given the toll of repeated muscle injuries over the past three seasons.

Regardless of what comes next, his brief Pumas chapter serves as a reminder that even the most talented players can struggle when the stars don’t align — physically, mentally, or emotionally.

Pumas Move On, Lessons Learned

For Pumas, the Ramsey experiment will be viewed as a risk that simply didn’t pay off. The club had hoped his arrival would inject leadership and international pedigree into a young roster, but instead, his presence became a symbol of bad luck and unfortunate timing.

Still, not all is lost. Ramsey’s professionalism, when available, reportedly had a positive influence on younger teammates. Players such as César Huerta and Santiago Trigos have spoken about learning from his approach to preparation and his insight into European football’s tactical standards.

As for Ramsey, he leaves Mexico with mixed emotions — gratitude for the support from fans and regret over how things unfolded. His time in the Apertura 2025 might have been short-lived, but it leaves behind a story that encapsulates both the fragility and unpredictability of a footballer’s career.

Final Thoughts: A Goodbye Marked by What-Ifs

Aaron Ramsey’s departure from Pumas is not just the end of a contract; it’s the end of a story that never quite took off.

A player of immense talent, burdened by physical setbacks and personal struggles, leaves behind a trail of what-ifs in Mexico City. Could things have been different if he stayed fit? If the personal turmoil hadn’t struck? Perhaps. But in football, timing is everything — and Ramsey’s time with Pumas simply never found its rhythm.

As Pumas push forward toward the Liguilla without him, and Ramsey looks for the next step in his journey, both sides will quietly wonder what could have been.