REAL MADRID
Ramos on Real Madrid future: “I've earned the right to make whatever decision I want"
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos opened up about his future in a new Amazon Prime documentary that will premiere this Friday in Spain.
With Sergio Ramos’ Real Madrid future still very much up in the air, Los Blancos enter a crucial week which sees them face Liverpool in the Champions League and Barcelona in the Clásico. Somewhat aptly timed, this week also sees the premiere of La Leyenda de Sergio Ramos (The Legend of Sergio Ramos) on Amazon Prime Spain this Friday.
Broken into six episodes, the documentary directed by José Rueda focuses on Ramos’ career with both club and country, as well as offering a glimpse into family life with his wife, Spanish TV personality Pilar Rubio.
Ramos on his allegiance to both Sevilla and Real Madrid
The journey begins recalling his schoolboy days at Sevillian club Camas before moving onto his controversial departure from Sevilla, where he admits mistakes were made.
“The biggest mistake was not giving explanations,” Ramos confesses. “I let others tell the story for me. My signing for Real Madrid was a transfer agreed between the clubs. Florentino Pérez and José María del Nido were the presidents. It was never the payment of a clause as it was claimed. That meant that the fans did not treat me with the same affection that I have always had and will always have for them.”
He adds: “Sevillismo was lied to and that hit me in a very painful way. I will never let it go, the pain my grandparents and my parents went through, who cannot step on the Sevilla field to this day. That is why I have acted with that anger when I have scored ... for everything that my family has suffered especially. And I would make the same decision a thousand times, but I would not let it be told the same way.”
The 35-year-old defender then goes on to pledge his allegiance to both Sevilla and Real Madrid: "I am a Sevilla player, I will be until death. But I can also say out loud and in capital letters, that I am the captain of Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.”
Ramos opens up on Real Madrid contract impasse
The documentary also offers an insight in Ramos’ view on his future amid the ongoing impasse with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez regarding the renewal of his contract at the Santiago Bernabéu, which currently expires in June.
“I've earned the right to make whatever decision I want. I am still at my best and in the years to come I will continue to perform at the highest level. If not, I’ll stay at home as it wouldn't be worth it. The fact that I'm still at my best with my age is no accident. We have been sowing the seeds for years,” Ramos says in the final episode.
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Ramos discusses retirement with Zidane
A chat with Zinedine Zidane follows, in which the Madrid coach discusses his own retirement while Ramos contemplates the moment when he will eventually hang up his own boots.
"After my playing career, what I wanted to do is completely quit without doing anything,” Zidane admits. “And that's what I did for two or three years. Four days away from home for 17 or 18 years burns you out. And then you realize that that you are missing something. But you are different Sergio (laughs).”
“In the end you do what you feel inside. You're going to give it up in three or four years, I expect ... Because you can still play three or four years at this level. And after two years, when you are 36 or 37, other things will be asked of you ... I got involved as a coach,” Zidane adds.
In response, Ramos says he still sees retirement as a long day down the road, with his mind still focused on winning more titles as a player, including the Olympics should he lead La Roja to Tokyo this summer as he desires.
"I’m thinking about the fifth Champions League, the World Cup, the Olympics... I will leave when the time comes. The idea is to be part of the history of the best club in the world, Real Madrid,” he says.
“Today I see retirement quite far away. It is a moment and a decision so personal and so yours, that when it arrives, I believe that my body will know. And so far it has not arrived. I think my body is going to carry me very well because I take care of myself down to the millimetre. I really want to compete and win. And I think the day will come when my wife and children will be very decisive in making the decision.”