Sergio Ramos leaves Real Madrid: reactions and updates
Sergio Ramos leaves Real Madrid: reactions and live updates
Ramos attends fans on leaving Valdebebas
A relaxed Ramos seen here attending the multitude of fans who had congregated outside the training complex in Valdebebas. Fans turned up to say their goodbyes to the captain and he obliged by signing autographs and posing for selfies with them.
"Everything has a beginning and an end"
Sergio Ramos took to Twitter to post a message both in Spanish and English on the day his time at Real Madrid was officially brought to an end.
"I never thought this day would come, but everything has a beginning and an end," he wrote. "Today, I say goodbye to my home, my supporters, my teammates, this shirt for which I have given everything and to which I have given my heart and soul. Today I say goodbye to Real Madrid. I cannot express with words the gratitude and pride I feel when I look back on this journey that has lasted 16 years. I leave with 22 titles engraved in my memory in the form of irrepealable and indescribable emotions. Thank you to the club and to my teammates and my coaches. And thank you, especially, to you; the Madridistas. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all of you who made it possible and accompanied me on this incredible journey. I won’t say farewell, I’ll just say see you soon because I’ll be back. #HalaMadrid".
Real Madrid: Ramos, Pérez and their long history of fallouts
Ramos and Florentino, a history of fallouts and tension
There has been a long history of disagreements between Ramos and Madrid president Florentino Pérez (the tense renewal in 2015 with Manchester United lurking and the supposed offer from China in 2019). But this time things have gone further than they have in the past. We take a look back at some of the incidents which caused friction.
Ancelotti returns to Real Madrid: which players remain in the squad from his previous spell?
Ramos was one of the few survivors of Ancelotti's team from his first spell as coach
Sergio Ramos was one of a handful of players who were in Carlo Ancelotti's squad during the coach's first spell as Real Madrid coach between 2013 and 2015. Only a few remain and some could leave before the start of the new campaign.
Find out who is left of Ancelotti's original Madrid squad here:
Ramos scored more goals than Iniesta, Busquets and Puyol combined
As an indication of Sergio Ramos' talents for scoring goals as well as stopping them, it's interesting to note that during his time in LaLiga, he has scored more goals than three members of one of the greatest Barcelona sides of all-time managed between them. Iniesta, Busquets and Puyol scored a combined total of 91 goals for Barca, while Ramos' tally stands at 103 in all competitions - including the three goals he scored during his time at Sevilla - one of which, curiously was against Real Madrid.
Zidane grateful to 'great captain' Ramos
Zinedine Zidane described his time working with Sergio Ramos both as a team and as his coach as "a great pleasure and an honour" in a message posted on Instagram. Zidane ended his brief tribute with the words: "LEGEND.
"It was a great pleasure and honor to have you as a team mate and as a player! A great captain for history! Thank you so much for everything."
Ramos' goals records for Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos leaves Real Madrid with several club records under his belt. He scored at least once in 17 consecutive seasons in LaLiga - the only other active player who has managed that is is Leo Messi. He leaves with 101 goals in 671 appearances for the club, having reached his century with a header against Inter Milan in November 2020. He also holds the record for the most goals scored by a defender in LaLiga - 67.
Here's a selection of some of them...
Happier times, Ramos pictured with Alfredo Di Stéfano and Florentino Pérez from a few years back. Real Madrid legend Di Stéfano sadly passed away in 2014.
Florentino didn't lie - Valdano
Former Real Madrid player, coach and director general Jorge Valdano gave his thoughts on the negotiations which went on between Ramos and Florentino Pérez over the past year. Valdano believes that Madrid's offer and the player's counter-offer were basically left on the table for months with neither side seeking a compromise. ''Florentino never lied - he made an offer and it stayed there for the whole time," Valdano told Movistar Plus.
"Sergio's character would fit in perfectly in the Premier League," says Joaquín Caparrós, Armenia coach, who was responsible for handing Ramos his first team debut with Sevilla on 1 February 2004, in the league meeting with Deportivo. Ramos made a total of 50 first team appearances under Caparrós before joining Real Madrid in September 2005.
“I think the way Sergio Ramos went bout his farewell was exemplary. I would also have liked to have heard the club's version of what really happened, because I thought Sergio Ramos rose above it all today. We have only heard one side of the story. I get the feeling, and I'm sure that Ramos and his people think the same, that Real Madrid used the first occasion they had to withdraw the offer, because there was no room for Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid as far as Florentino Pérez was concerned. The club is within its rights to revamp the squad - that started with Zidane's departure, followed now by Ramos'. There is no sporting motive explaining the decision in the official statement. Ramos' people have had the feeling for a while that Real Madrid deliberately made a lower offer because they were looking for this to happen, for a club legend to leave”.
Antonio Romero, journalist at Cadena SER and collaborator at AS
In an interview with Deportes Cuatro on Thursday, Sevilla's Director of Sport Monchi spoke about Sergio Ramos' departure from Real Madrid and confirmed what the player said about the possibility of going back to his old club. Ramos, who made his way up through through the youth teams at Sevilla, left to join Real Madrid as a teenager for 27 million euros in September 2005.
It's clear that Sergio Ramos deserves to win a Ballon d'Or.
Being a defender is almost like being a goalkeeper, it's a lot more difficult to win the award, but Cannavaro managed it.
Sergio Ramos leaves, Real Madrid goes on
Zidane asked for Sergio Ramos’ contract to be extended, but he left without getting his way. When Ancelotti arrived he didn’t seem quite as bothered about the issue, the old fox that he is. Sergio Ramos got into a battle with Florentino Pérez that the defender couldn’t win.
The Real Madrid president had neither the money nor the desire to give Ramos the new contract he was demanding, and I’m not surprised. The club captain’s analysis of the situation was off. He’s already 35, Alaba was a free agent and the club has lost 270 million euros with the fans kept out of the grounds. We’ve been watching a game of poker over the past few months with messages sent out through intermediaries, but there was only going to be one ending. Florentino wasn’t going to fold.
Alfredo Relaño has watched club stars come and go for several decades in the business. Read his view on the latest departure.
Ramos in numbers
From 2005 to 2021, a Real Madrid legend was created.
But he's a defender!
Yes, as we all know, Sergio Ramos not only scored a rather large number of goals for a centre half, he also had a knack of getting very important ones.
Here's a little selection as Madrid say thanks...
Sergio Ramos is the toughest opponent I've come up against.
He is very strong, has a lot of experience, and is a very competitive player
Real Madrid in talks for Roma full-back Spinazzola
Real Madrid are getting into gear for the opening of this summer's transfer window. Especially now that it has been announced that Sergio Ramos is moving on - the club must make reinforcements for when Ancelotti's squad return to work in Valdebebas on 5 July.
In the latest development, we understand that a meeting took place in the south of France between Roma official Davide Lippi, representatives from Madrid, former Lille Director of Sport Luis Campos, and his right-hand man, Ludovic Fattizzo.
Sergio Ramos: The Real Madrid defender's style files
Talking of Ramos in new clobber, we've certainly seen him push the boundaries of style over his time in the Spanish capital.
Ramos in another shirt
The thought of some of those that have got to know the now-former Madrid captain are going to find it a little strange next season when he pulls on some different threads.
It's a family affair
Ramos became a part of the fabric of this famous club, while his entire family was brought under its wings.
16 years is a long time to be so intrinsic to an establishment like this, and no wonder the departure has proved so difficult.
Captain's armband decision
Some say it will be handed to Marcelo, but others are concerned that he won't be on the pitch enough under Ancelotti.
Ramos's non-farewell
Read the thread from Sergio Ramos:
Today, I say goodbye to my home, my supporters, my teammates, this shirt for which I have given everything and to which I have given my heart and soul. Today I say goodbye to Real Madrid.
I cannot express with words the gratitude and pride I feel when I look back on this journey that has lasted 16 years. I leave with 22 titles engraved in my memory in the form of irrepealable and indescribable emotions.
Thank you to the club and to my teammates and my coaches. And thank you, especially, to you; the Madridistas. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all of you who made it possible and accompanied me on this incredible journey.
I won’t say farewell, I’ll just say see you soon because I’ll be back. #HalaMadrid
Sergio Ramos has been offered to PSG during the past few hours.
This newspaper understands from sources close to the French club that Ramos' agents have been in touch to tell them that the defender is available and open to playing in Ligue 1.
As far as Ramos is concerned, it is one of the best options open to him - not just because some of his old team mates such as Keylor Navas and Di María are at the club, but also other Spanish players like Pablo Sarabia, Sergio Rico, Ander Herrera and Bernat. Ramos also like the fact that the coach, Mauricio Pochettino is a Spanish speaker.
But above all, Paris is a great city, about an hour away from Madrid, so moving wouldn't be hugely disruptive for his family.
Our Marco Ruiz brings you the details.
The man to replace Sergio Ramos
David Alaba will be hoping Austria can get a result over the Netherlands tonight on the same day that Sergio Ramos departs Real Madrid.
The versatile player will be crucial for Madrid in the upcoming season as they look to shore up their defence in the absence of Ramos.
Photo by Justin Setterfield / AFP
Former teammates have come out today to thank Sergio Ramos for his contribution to their careers. Xabi Alonso was one of them.
Ramos on Florentino Pérez
Sergio Ramos assured that he and president Florentino Pérez retain a strong relationship.
"I've a good relationship with Pérez, a father-son relationship, and I have to thank him for the opportunity [to play for Madrid].
"I've had so much fun here in the 16 years. Even in the best of families there are arguments, fallouts.
"The hug we just shared, I'm not bitter, you learn to mature and I stay with the positives. We've enjoyed some amazing years here, but I like to tell the truth, I've always been that way."
Ramos on his future:
"We haven't thought at any time about any other club. Since January, we've had a few calls but we never thought about leaving Madrid. From now, we'll look for a good option for me."
And that's it! Ramos finishes up with a "many thanks everyone" and exits stage left, a Real Madrid player no more.
Next destination: "The important thing is not where you are, it's with who. It's the same to catch a train as a plane. The goal is to be together, they have been my pillars. My happiness depends on them and so of course I want them to come with me. This is hard because I've been here many years but this isn't goodbye."
Zidane: "On the subject of Zidane, I can't give an opinion for anyone. I'll look back on these 16 years and everything I've achieved."
Future: "We haven't thought at any time about any other club. Since January, when I've been on the market, we've had a few calls. But we never thought about leaving Madrid. From here we'll look for a good option for me."
Would Ramos return to Sevilla, and would he ever play for Barcelona? "Sevilla is the other club in my heart where I had a great time but at the moment there is nothing on the table about going back. As for Barcelona... impossible. You will never see Sergio Ramos in a Barcelona shirt."
Contract offer expiry: "The conditions have changed several times, on their part and on ours. It got to a point where we had to make a decision but they never told me that the offer had an expiry date. It's understandable but it surprised me, that the offer had expired."
Regrets: "No, not at all. At the end of the day when someone buys the Sergio Ramos brand it comes with its good things and its bad things. I always want to be myself. My relationship with the president has always been good. Like a father and son in sporting terms. He is the one who brought me here and I'll never say a word against him. There are fights in families as well."
Ramos asked if he would sign for Real Madrid again: "Of course. It's been the most amazing period of my life. As far as I'm concerned this isn't over. I would have signed a thousand and one times. It was one of the best decisions of my life."
Contract: "The first thing I want to say is that I never wanted to leave. I wanted to stay here. The club offered me the possibility of extending my contract, but because of covid it was put on the back burner. Then club made me a one-year offer with a salary reduction. I have to say that there was no economic problem. I wanted two years and peace of mind for me and my family. During the last talks, I accepted the one-year offer, but I was informed that it was no longer possible, that it had an expiration date and that I had not heard about it".
Ramos: "I'm one of those people who likes to be defined by others. If I had to use one word it would be purity. I have given my soul for this club. That's how I want to be remembered, as a person of integrity."
And now Ramos is speaking to the media...
Ramos is due out before too long to answer questions from the media about the details behind his Real Madrid departure.
And after a few snaps with all of the silverware Ramos has won, the farewells are over. We now await Ramos' final press conference as a Real Madrid player.
Some photo ops now with Ramos and his family and children, Pérez and various suits.
Ramos: "I would like to thank the fans, they carried me in their arms at all times. I would have liked to say goodbye at the Bernabéu. But I will always carry you in my heart".
And Pérez now presents Ramos with the gold and diamonds insignia of Real Madrid, the club's highest honour.
And as he finishes speaking, Ramos says: "This is not goodbye but adieu, because sooner or later I'll be back."
Ramos: "It's the end of a beuatiful period in my life."
Ramos thanks the club, his coaches, all RM employees, his family, the president and the fans for everything they have done for him and for "putting up with him for all thee years."
And no sooner has Ramos started to speak and thank people on this "most difficult day" than he breaks down to huge applause.
And now Ramos takes to the stage...
Pérez to Ramos: "I am really proud of what you have achieved. You are one of Real Madrid's legends. You have earned the respect and admiration of everyone. Those of us here will always have you in our memories. Thank you for everything you have given to this club, defending the shirt and always fighting to the end."
Florentino Pérez is now paying homage to Ramos, speaking about his conviction in signing him and how the then-18-year-old has become one of the greatest figures in the history of the club.
Various dignitaries and family members are also in attendance, including Ramos' wife Pilar Rubio.
A besuited Ramos is sitting solemnly in the presentation room at the Bernabéu as a video reel of his greatest highlights plays on a big screen.
If you're just joining us, Ramos is due out at 12:30 CEST alongside Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez. A presentation will follow before Ramos fields questions from the media.
Sergio Ramos leaves Real Madrid: how many titles has he won?
For a full breakdown of all the trophies and awards Ramos has won during his Real Madrid career, look no further.
Ramos may be leaving Real Madrid, but he remains a La Roja player despite missing out on the Euros this time around due to injury and lack of match fitness.
We'd imagine he'll be back for the World Cup next year though as he chases down an international record: Ramos is Spain's most capped player with 180 and needs only five to overtake Ahmed Hassan (Egypt) and Bader Al-Mutawa (Kuwait) who both have 184 (with the latter still active).
Ramos has some way to go to catch Soh Chin "The Boss" Ann though: the Malaysia international holds the outright record with 224.
Sergio Ramos leaves Real Madrid: who will take over as captain?
Marcelo to take over as captain
Marcelo will become the club's longest-serving current player following the departure of Ramos and as such will assume the captaincy.
According to OPTA, Ramos is joint-second on the all-time list in terms of titles won at Real Madrid with 22. Only Paco Gento, who won six European Cups in the 50s and 60s, has more with 23 overall.
Sergio Ramos leaves, Real Madrid goes on
Ramos "chose a bad time to pick this battle"
In today's editorial, AS honorary editor Alfredo Relaño looks at the reasons why Madrid and Ramos decided it was time to part ways.
Arguably the exact moment Ramos will be most remembered for when he becomes part of the club's history and not the present, will be 92:48.
That was the time on the clock when Ramos headed in the equalizer against Atlético Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final in Lisbon, which Real Madrid went on to win to claim the long sought-after Décima under Carlo Ancelotti.
Ramos would go on to win three more Champions League titles under Zinedine Zidane, the highlight of a club career that includes five Liga titles and two Copas del Rey.
Ramos also chalked up 101 goals for the club, which is a pretty reemarkable achivement from a nominal position in the centre of defence. Emilio Butragueño, one of Spain and Real Madrid's most celebrated strikers, also spent 16 seasons at the Bernabéu and scored 171 times.
Ramos made 671 appearances for Madrid after signing from Sevilla in 2005 - in doing so becoming the first Spanish player signed by Florentino Pérez during his first reign at the Bernabéu (2000-06).
That places Ramos fourth in the all-time list behind Manolo Sanchís, Iker Casillas and Raúl.
New possible team for Sergio Ramos: PSG, City, United, Sevilla
Ramos has not yet made any announcement on his next destination but four clubs have emerged as possible destinations for the 35-year-old: PSG, Manchesters United and City, and his former club Sevilla.
Ramos: Kroos, Casillas back Real Madrid captain amid contract impasse
While it had been broadly anticipated Ramos would eventually remain at the club, talks over a new contract with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez did not prosper and the Spain defender will now seek pastures now to end his career.
Sergio Ramos Real Madrid press conference: welcome
Hello and welcome to AS English's live coverage of Sergio Ramos' press conference as the Real Madrid captain prepares to say his farewells to the club after 16 years at the Bernabéu.