A remorseful Ramón Ramírez was re-introduced as a member of Club Deportivo Chivas USA days after club president Antonio Cue accepted the veteran back into the team.
Ramírez and Cue met in Guadalajara on Monday and the two sides agreed that Ramírez belongs in a Chivas USA uniform this year.
The former Mexican national team star said he regrets having ever left the club.
"I'm glad to be back. I am committed to the team today as I have been for quite some time and I'm very happy to be part of it again," Ramírez said at Wednesday's press conference. "One mistake, one misunderstanding is not indicative of my true character. I've played for 20 years and over that time I've made a lot of mistakes but I don't think any of them have been with bad intentions."
Days before a March 8 friendly against Atlante, the 35-year-old Ramírez walked out on the club apparently over visa issues for two of his domestic workers. Ramírez said, however, that everything was misunderstanding.
"I made a mistake. It was talked about, remedied and resolved," he said. "I spoke with team today. I asked for forgiveness and I told them that I was happy to be back because this is my team. I definitely feel very committed to this team."
According to Chivas USA head coach Thomas Rongen, Ramírez had realized his mistake of walking out on the team the day before the Atlante match and wanted to go to San Diego and play in the friendly. Rongen said he and his coaching staff persuaded Cue to meet with Ramírez.
Cue said it was not a difficult decision to allow Ramírez back into the mix.
"We're all human and we all make mistakes," Cue said. "When you accept that you've made a mistake, to me that shows character. I like the idea of having people on my team who realize what it is to be human and make mistakes."
Chivas USA Coach Thomas Rongen stressed that Ramírez's issue was a personal one and his week-long separation from the club was not a tactical or technical issue.
"He's back now where he belongs, where he wants to be, where he's welcome," Rongen said.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
