Ramos: "My goal is to become Spain's most-capped player"
The La Roja captain will earn his 150th cap against Germany on Friday as he aims to beat Iker Casillas' all-time appearance record of 167 for Spain.
Sergio Ramos spoke to reporters ahead of Spain’s friendly match against Germany in Dusseldorf and laid out his ambitions while also analysing Friday’s rivals and a potential semi-final opponent in Russia.
What’s your opinion of the fact that after Barcelona’s domination of the Spain side during Vicente del Bosque’s reign there are now more Madrid players in the squad?
What that shows is that the side is changing. There are different eras and different generations of players. During the eight years Vicente was in charge there was a philosophy and now that has changed because other new players have come through. And not only from Madrid, but also Valencia, Villarreal… It’s good for Spanish football that there are players making the squad from teams other than Barça and Madrid.
150th cap for Spain
It’s a very special moment for me. You hardly have time to enjoy the good moments because everything is non-stop. But my enthusiasm is the same as the first day and I’ve been lucky enough to live through the most beautiful moments a footballer can experience. It’s a happy time for me because I’m the captain of Spain and I hope I’ll be here for a long time yet. My goal is to become the most-capped player of all time for Spain.
Germany
They are one of the teams to beat. They are the reigning world champions and one of the favourites to win in Russia. I remember the two games we played against them in the final stages of major tournaments, particularly in the final [in 2008]. It was a tough game and a close one, a match between generations that fortunately Spain were able to win thanks to Torres’ fantastic goal. And we also met them in the semi-finals in South Africa.
