Pérez: “Ramos deserves what he earns, probably more”
The Real Madrid president dismissed the notion that Ramos had 'extorted' a new contract from the club ahead of its AGM on Sunday.
Florentino Pérez says that under fire Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos deserves every penny of his salary.
Sergio Ramos is an example, says Pérez
Speaking with club members during a midweek meeting ahead of Sunday’s AGM, the Real Madrid president dismissed claims that Ramos had ‘extorted’ a new contract from the club.
“Extorted? No. He’s been here for many years and deserves what he earns, probably even more than that,” said Pérez. “He is our captain, a phenomenon, an example.”
Ramos signed a new contract worth in the region of €9 million a season last summer tying him to the club until 2020. Speculation had linked him with a big money move to Manchester United amid reports that trust had completely broken down between player and club, though Ramos ultimately opted to renew his contract and stay at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The centre-back has experienced a difficult start to the season, drawing critics for conceding four penalties and careless play, and is scheduled to be out of action for over a month after picking up a knee injury during Spain’s recent 2-0 win over Albania.
Is there a women's team in the pipeline?
Pérez also used the meeting to reiterate his position that the club does not need a sporting director to run transfer operations – coach Zinedine Zidane is reportedly keen on bringing in Luis Campos in that capacity – and to discuss the prospects for establishing a women’s team, an area in which the club lags behind Europe’s other big sides.
“Real Madrid can’t have a football team if it doesn’t win anything,” he said. “We’re looking into it. We have to invest in things that will continue to generate money for us.”