Sergio Ramos on Thursday said he never wanted to leave Real Madrid, even when contract talks with the club reached an impasse.
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Sergio Ramos on Thursday said he never wanted to leave Real Madrid, even when contract talks became tough. The Real captain, who is now 35 years old, only wanted a two-year deal instead of the one-year deal offered. However, he decided to accept the one-year extension but found out the offer expired. Real announced on Wednesday that Ramos, who joined the club in 2005, will not be signing a new deal with the club. The move brings to an end what was a trophy-laden career for the Spaniard.
“The first thing I want to say is that I never wanted to leave. I wanted to stay here,” Ramos said in a press conference.
“The club offered me the possibility of extending my contract, but because of Covid it was put on the back burner. Then the 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.”
He added on the specifics of the contract. “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.”
It remains surprising, given Ramos’ importance to the side over the past few seasons, that he be allowed to leave on a free. However, he isn’t the first Real legend to leave on less than ideal terms.
It is worth noting, however, that Ramos is not without offers. He has been linked to Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Juventus.
Ramos gave no hints as to where he will be heading next. He did state that he would like a return to Sevilla, the club he got his break with. But he also made clear that no offer from them is on the table.
“The important thing is not where you are, it’s with who. 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.
“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.
He also name-checked one club he would never join – Barcelona. That makes sense, given just how much Ramos loves Real. However, the great divide has been crossed before as well.
That road isn’t for Ramos to take though. “As for Barcelona – impossible. You will never see Sergio Ramos in a Barcelona shirt.”
Ramos won five La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey, four Supercopas de Espana, four Champions Leagues, three UEFA Super Cups and four Club World Cups at the club.
He also spoke on his legacy, and how it is he would like to be remembered. He said he would like to be remembered as someone who ‘gave his soul’ for the club.
“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.”
Ramos touched upon his relationship with president Florentino Perez as well. There remains a belief among certain sections of the Spanish media that he was allowed to leave because he and Perez fell out.
It’s not a story without merit, given even Cristiano Ronaldo left in similar circumstances. But Ramos played down any talks of a rift, saying they shared a father-son relationship.
He also added he would never say a bad word against Perez, due to the fact that he signed him to the club in the first place.
“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.”
