Club de Futbol Monterrey announces that defender Merel van Dongen will no longer be part of Rayadas and thanks her for her dedication, leadership, and professionalism throughout her time with the blue-and-white squad.

The Dutch player joined Monterrey for the Apertura 2024 tournament from Atlético de Madrid, arriving with an impressive résumé that included three Eredivisie titles and three KNVB Cup titles with ADO Den Haag and Ajax in her home country. She also won the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa de la Reina with Atlético de Madrid.

Merel played 42 matches in the Liga BBVA MX Femenil, scoring six goals and becoming a crucial part of the team’s defensive line.

She left an indelible mark on the history of the Institution, as her commitment and passion for the blue-and-white jersey were fundamental in achieving the Club’s objectives. During her time at Rayadas, the team went from having two Liga BBVA MX titles to lifting four.

Merel was a key figure in Rayadas’ historic back-to-back championships, winning the Clausura and Apertura 2024 tournaments, where she contributed her international experience and defensive solidity. Rayadas became the first team within Club de Futbol Monterrey to achieve a league bicampeonato, cementing their place as one of the most successful teams in Mexican women’s soccer.

Van Dongen said goodbye as a Rayadas player and as a professional footballer on Wednesday, July 16, during the Campeón de Campeonas match against Pachuca at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas.

During her time in Monterrey, Merel was called up on several occasions to the Netherlands Women’s National Team, with whom she competed in the UEFA Women’s Nations League and international friendlies, reaffirming her quality as an elite player.

We thank Merel for her dedication and wish her the greatest success in her future professional and personal endeavors.

Thank you for everything, Merel!

Andrés Jiménez