June 16, (THEWILL)- It has been confirmed by Real Madrid that their legendary centre-back Sergio Ramos will exit the club as he had played his final season with the La Liga giants.
The club made this known on Thursday when they confirmed plans to organise a farewell tribute in honour of the 35-year-old, to bring to an end Ramos’ successful 16-year association with Los Blancos, and possibly La Liga.
The Spaniard, whose contract expires at the end of the month, was reportedly set to sign an extension to his contract, but negotiations appear to have fallen through without reaching any middle ground.
Details coming from the contract negotiations reveal that while the veteran centre-back was thought to be asking for a two-year deal at the Bernabeu, Madrid preferred a shorter option, sticking to the club policy of single-year extensions for older players.
THEWILL recalls that an injury-plagued season allowed Ramos just 15 La Liga appearances in 2020-21, giving him little opportunity to demonstrate his current suitability to potential buyers for the upcoming season.
To worsen his predicament, Luis Enrique’s team selection found no place for the 36-year-old in Spain’s Euros 2020 squad due to a lack of form and fitness, with hamstring, calf and knee injuries having hampered his season and his age catching to with him.
The confirmation of his exit brings to an end a trophy-laden senior professional football career that began when the young teenager arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from Sevilla in 2005. The accomplished Ramos was only 19 when he inherited the number four shirt from Fernando Hierro and turned it into his own.
Ramos’ achievements are well documented in defense and in attack. The centre-back includes five La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey titles together with four UEFA Champions League trophies, including la Decima, the club’s historic 10th title, in his catalogue of triumphs in a glittering decade and a half at the club.
Very few defenders can claim the range of Ramos’ influence and contributions to these titles and victories for which sometimes his passion and zeal got him some red cards. But, those notwithstanding, Ramos also won the Spanish Super Cup four times, three European Super Cups and four FIFA World Club Cup titles for a fascinating and glittering career at Madrid.
It will truly be the end of an era the day he marks his exit in reality.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
