It has been recommended for several weeks and even months, and since Wednesday evening it has been official: Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid go their separate ways after 16 years. (Service: La Liga Schedule)
Ramos now spoke at a press conference with Real President Florentino Perez. “This moment has come, it has been one of the hardest in my life. You were never ready to say goodbye to Real Madrid. But the moment to say goodbye to Real Madrid has come,” the 35-year-old later broke down in tears.
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Ramos: I’ll be back sooner or later
Moving on emotionally, Ramos added: “First of all, I would like to thank my family and my family, including you, the President, my coaches and team members. Nothing is possible without anyone. All the club staff I see here are now impossible. Can’t say thank you? “
I would have liked to say goodbye to him at the Santiago Bernabeu, “but it was not so. Thanks to Real Madrid, I will always be in my heart.”
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To the world and European champions and many Champions League winners, “an amazing and unique stage in my life” ends. “There will be nothing like what I experienced here. Thank you for everything. This is not a goodbye, this is a goodbye, because sooner or later I will be back.”
Ramos criticized the club’s top brass
He did not want to leave yet, Ramos made it clear – and was highly critical of the club leadership surrounding Perez and manager Jose Angel Sanchez. Contract negotiations were at the center of his critique. Ramos said he wanted to extend it for another two years, but eventually agreed to a new one-year contract. Real later refused to give this to him.
“I accepted the offer and was informed that the deadline had expired,” Ramos said. However, he did not know a deadline and was “very surprised”: “I never wanted to leave Real Madrid.” Money is not a bar.
The future of the game is open
Perez has previously stressed that it is difficult to achieve what the defender has achieved at Real Madrid. “Dear Sergio, you will always be the man of La Tezima for the Madridists. Thank you for further magnifying the legend of the club. This time you are special to me. Above all, I want you to be happy – wherever you are. A legend like you will always be the best ambassador for Real Madrid, ”Perez said.
It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. Most recently, he was thrown out with repeated injuries, not always the first choice at Real Madrid.