Have we seen the last of Wales and ex-Arsenal star Ramsey?

You might not have spotted him but Aaron Ramsey was in the dugout at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday as Wales thrashed North Macedonia 7-1 in their World Cup qualifier.

He wasn't playing. Injuries mean the captain of Wales has not played for his country for 14 months.

Ramsey was not part of the coaching staff for this game either, not officially at least. Instead, the 34-year-old was with the Wales set-up in an informal capacity, assisting with training sessions, gaining some experience with an eye on his coaching future.

Present, but not heavily involved, Ramsey's role felt symbolic of these latter years of the midfielder's playing career.

It has been some ride, from scoring winning goals in FA Cup finals and Champions League stunners for Arsenal to playing in Serie A with Juventus, and then of course to his exploits with Wales, establishing himself as a national great with his central role in their epic run to the semi-finals at Euro 2016.

Although Ramsey wants to keep that journey going, the end is coming into view.

Without a club after an injury-interrupted two years at Cardiff City, followed by a short and unhappy spell in Mexico, Ramsey faces an uncertain future.

He has said he wants to play for Wales at next summer's World Cup but, having gone more than a year since representing his country, it begs the question: Have we seen the last of Aaron Ramsey?

The biggest issue facing Ramsey at the moment is that he does not have a club and, following his departure from Pumas in Mexico, he cannot join a new team until January.

As a result, he is lacking match fitness and has been overlooked for recent Wales squads.

Ramsey has been training at the Football Association of Wales headquarters on the outskirts of Cardiff but, until he finds a club, it is going to be difficult for him to force his way back into the national team.

Given all he has achieved it seems disrespectful to ask, but who would take Ramsey right now?

The former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder is a playmaker of undoubted pedigree, but injuries and fitness issues have limited him to just 23 appearances since the summer of 2023.

His decision to move to Mexico raised eyebrows and was arguably an indication of how few options Ramsey had.

Returning to boyhood club Cardiff was meant to be the chance for Ramsey and his family to settle down back home after years of travelling to follow his career.

But after leaving the Bluebirds following their relegation from the Championship last season, Ramsey took everyone by surprise by announcing he was joining Pumas on a short-term contract.

Ramsey commanded huge, multi-million-pound salaries at his peak and, although he would have taken a significant pay cut at Cardiff and Pumas, he would likely be too expensive for most teams who would be interested in signing him now.

Prospective clubs will look at Ramsey and wonder if the financial outlay is worth the risk.

In turn, Ramsey will have to ponder if it is worth uprooting his family once more, so late in his career and for what would likely be another brief stint.

His family have endured a traumatic few weeks following the disappearance of their dog, Halo, in Mexico, an incident they say will "haunt" them.

Ramsey, his wife Colleen and their three children are back home in Cardiff now, and in all likelihood it would take some offer to prise him away from there again.

Ramsey's main incentive to keep going is his dream of playing for Wales at a second World Cup.

How feasible that aspiration might be is a moot point.

Turning 35 in December would not have been such an issue had he not endured so many injuries, but Ramsey's body does not seem able to cope with the rigours of regular first-team football.

Bellamy regards pressing and hard running out of possession as non-negotiable requirements for his players, claiming Wales are ranked fourth in Europe for intensity off the ball.

It is difficult to see how Ramsey might cope with such demands but, even with his diminishing physical attributes, Bellamy sees significant value in having his former team-mate around, particularly given his paucity of midfield options.

After all, Ramsey is still the captain of Wales and his experience could benefit younger players, many of whom look up to him.

That is partly why Ramsey was invited to join Wales in an unofficial, non-playing role during preparations for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia.

The 86-cap midfielder did some individual fitness work at the team's base and observed training sessions to gain coaching experience.

Ramsey has made it clear he wants to be a head coach in the future. The question is how soon that will be.

Ramsey is making significant strides in his fledgling coaching career.

He is studying for his Pro Licence – the top qualification – having completed his A Licence, and already has some senior managerial experience after taking charge of Cardiff's final three games of last season.

Although it coincided with the club's relegation to League One, that brief stint as interim manager underlined to Ramsey that this is the path he wants to pursue.

He sought Bellamy's advice during that time, and the Wales boss believes Ramsey has many of the qualities required to flourish as a coach.

Those who have worked with Ramsey while he has been studying for his coaching badges speak glowingly about the way he reads the game tactically, and how the influences of Bellamy and Arsene Wenger, his Arsenal mentor, are writ large on the style of play he wants his teams to adopt.

Others who know him well have noted how enthusiastically he has been talking about his coaching ambitions, sensing that he might be readier to retire than his public statements have suggested.

For now, Ramsey is taking his time.

The Cardiff job became available too soon last summer, as he was still eager to play.

But once Ramsey calls time on his distinguished career – most likely once next summer's World Cup has been and gone – he will be ready to take that leap.