“I’m looking forward to this challenge,” says Ramsey upon arriving at Pumas

▲ The 34-year-old Welsh midfielder joins the Catalans to bring his experience on European pitches. Photo: Jorge Ángel Pablo García

Erendira Palma Hernández

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, July 4, 2025, p. a12

When Welshman Aaron Ramsey's career was facing uncertainty due to injuries, an offer arrived from Mexico, a territory he'd had little contact with, and now it's his chance to re-emerge. The midfielder, who played for Arsenal and Juventus, has become the newest addition to Pumas, a squad facing title pressure heading into the 2025 Liga MX Clausura tournament.

I'm very excited about this challenge. I've had a great experience in my career, and I understand the expectations this club generates. I want to contribute in my role and meet the objectives. I'm looking forward to this challenge , he said upon being officially presented as a member of the felines.

While Ramsey has been a Wales international while also winning cup and league titles with Arsenal and Juventus – where he played alongside international star Cristiano Ronaldo – the last few years of his career have been challenging. He has been nursing a hamstring injury since September 2024, keeping him out of action, his most recent match being in March.

The player's medical situation even led him to take over on an interim basis with his former team, Cardiff, which he managed in the last three matches as they faced relegation to England's Third Division.

Now 34 years old and with a history of ups and downs, Ramsey was endorsed by Efraín Juárez to join the Pumas squad. The head coach was not present at the midfielder's presentation, so team president Raúl Gonzalez and Eduardo Saracho, director of sporting strategy, were responsible for announcing the signing and clarifying the reasons for his hiring.

He began his career at 16, making his debut for Cardiff, played for Arsenal, and has had a distinguished career. Before he was 18, he was showing signs of this footballing prowess. "Today marks the beginning of a new era ," González said.

We were looking for a leap in hierarchy and quality; he was eager for a new challenge; Aaron and world-class players raise the bar. We're bringing in someone the young players can see themselves in , Saracho noted.

Despite arriving at Pumas at a stage where he's trying to regain his best form, Ramsey demonstrates that he's studied both his new team and Liga MX, while also remembering Carlos Vela, a Tricolor icon with whom he played at the beginning of his career at Arsenal.

"Carlos is a great player; he's done very well in MLS. There's no doubt about his skills and talent. He was a great teammate, and I enjoyed it."

I know the pressure this team entails, that the fans are enormous and proud of the club and expect a lot, I'm excited to play my part and seek triumphs , he stated while wearing the auriazul shirt.

▲ Mexican Alejandro Kirk of the Blue Jays connected a single in the seventh inning to support his team's victory. AP Photo

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, July 4, 2025, p. a30

Los Angeles, In a fourth consecutive victory, the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees 8-5 yesterday and took over the lead in the American League East Division of the Major Leagues.

Veteran George Springer was again the leader in the closing series, which Toronto won 4-0.

The American punished the World Series runners-up with two home runs, three hits, and a total of four RBIs.

Springer began his recital with a two-run home run in the third inning that put the Blue Jays ahead 3-1.

Following Springer's blast, which drove in seven runs in Tuesday's win, Addison Barger hit another two-run homer in the fifth inning.

The Bronx Bombers , trying to save their honor in the playoffs, came close in the seventh inning with their stars Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger going through the register.

But Springer came back in the eighth inning to seal the home win with another 128-meter blast that drove in Nathan Lukes' run.

Judge had one hit and two walks but couldn't increase his home run tally to 31, which trails the Major League Baseball leader, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, by one.

New York's other team, the Mets, celebrated their 50th win of the year (with 38 losses) by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2.

Dominican Juan Soto, a star of the Queens team, contributed two hits and drove in one run, while his compatriot Starling Marte also had two hits and one run.

Elsewhere, Mexican Isaac Paredes had two hits and drove in a run in his team, the Houston Astros, 7-6, loss to the Colorado Rockies.

More MLB results: Miami 4-1 Minnesota, Washington 11-7 Detroit, Angels 5-1 Atlanta, Chicago Cubs 1-0 Cleveland, among others.