Club de Fútbol Monterrey has cemented its status as a particularly tough opponent for former FC Barcelona players in international competitions. A report from en.as.com highlighted this week how Rayados have been a recurring nightmare for stars who once wore the blaugrana shirt.
What victories define this streak?
The narrative was strengthened in 2024 with two key eliminations. In April, Monterrey knocked Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The team managed by Matías Almeyda won 3-1 at the Estadio BBVA, known as the 'Steel Giant', and advanced 5-2 on aggregate. In that match, Alba was shown a red card. Months later, in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, Rayados defeated Chicago Fire 2-1, whose striker Robert Lewandowski is also a former Barcelona man. Orbelín Pineda scored a late goal to seal the passage. "Orbelín Pineda produced a moment of brilliance to net a late winner," the report noted.
Why is this pattern significant?
The fact that several teams with cores of ex-Barcelona players have fallen to the same opponent is not a minor coincidence. The outlet en.as.com described it as "reinforcing its reputation as kryptonite for former Barcelona stars". Monterrey demonstrated a consistent ability to neutralize the individual talent of these players and overcome their teams in decisive moments, both at home and on US soil, where they beat the Fire in Illinois. This streak places Rayados in a psychologically advantageous position for future matchups.
How does Monterrey arrive at this current context?
To understand the club's current moment, it's key to look at its Liga MX situation. As of August 26, 2026, Monterrey sits seventh in the standings, with 9 points from 5 games (3 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses). Their recent form is LWWLW. They have scored 12 goals and conceded 7, for a +5 goal difference. They are 4 points behind leaders Club America. Their last result was a 2-0 loss to León on August 22. Forward L. Ocampos is their top scorer this season with 5 goals in 5 appearances. You can check the full progression on our standings page.
What comes next for Rayados?
The team's immediate focus is on the domestic league and capitalizing on their good offensive output. Their next fixture is against Atlético San Luis, who are in 16th place, on August 31 at home. This match represents an opportunity to earn three valuable points before the next break. Consistency will be key to closing the gap with the frontrunners. The squad, which you can review on our squad page, aims to maintain the effectiveness shown by Ocampos and company. The positive streak against teams with ex-Barcelona players serves as a reminder of their capability to face high-profile rivals, a mentality they want to translate to all fronts.
