Sergio Ramos has officially left Real Madrid. The 35 years old player ended his 16 season service at the Santiago Bernabeu. Sergio Ramos joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2005.
At that time, Los Blancos had to spend 27 million euros to redeem Ramos from Sevilla. The transfer of Sergio Ramos from Sevilla to Real Madrid was a record for a native Spanish defender. At Real Madrid, Ramos wore the number 4 jersey previously worn by the legendary Los Blancos captain, Fernando Hierro.
Since 2015, Ramos has been appointed captain of Real Madrid following the departure of Iker Casillas to FC Porto. During his 16 seasons at Real Madrid, Ramos won various prestigious titles including five La Liga trophies, four Champions Leagues and two Copa del Rey.
The Camas-born centre-back made a total of 671 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid with a record 101 goals. An impressive goal record for a defender. However, the beautiful story between Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid had to end. Ramos decided not to continue his contract with Real Madrid which will expire on June 30, 2021.
Sergio Ramos came to Real Madrid as a 19-year-old “boy”. Now, he left Los Blancos as a legend. Here are the summary the four best moments of Sergio Ramos while defending Real Madrid:
Debut match with Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos made his debut with Real Madrid in the match against Celta Vigo at the beginning of the 2005-2006 season. Unfortunately, Ramos’ debut ended bitterly because Los Blancos lost 2-3.
When he debuted, Ramos was 19 years old. The figure of 27 million euros issued by Real Madrid made him listed as Spain’s most expensive teenage defender in the match. Despite Real Madrid’s defeat, the duel against Celta Vigo became the first step in Sergio Ramos’ brilliant career with Los Blancos.
Assists that helped Real Madrid win La Liga
Sergio Ramos is known as a “striker-flavored defender” considering he has an impressive goal record despite his position as a defender. However, not only is he good at breaking into the opponent’s goal, Ramos is also an expert in creating assists for his teammates.
From 671 competitive matches with Real Madrid, Ramos was able to score 40 assists. One of Ramos’ best assists was in the match against Osasuna, the 35th jornada of La Liga 2007-2008 season. The match at El Sadar Stadium ended dramatically for Real Madrid.
Los Blancos, who was coached by Bernd Schuster at that time, fell behind Osasuna through Patxi Punal’s goal in the 84th minute. Two minutes after Punal’s goal, Real Madrid could create a goal through Arjen Robben’s header welcoming Gonzalo Higuain’s free kick. Just in the last minute of normal time, when Real Madrid needed a win, Sergio Ramos intercepted and then dribbled into the opponent’s area of play. Higuain’s right-footed volley after receiving a pass from Ramos managed to break into Osasuna’s goal. Real Madrid won 2-1. A dramatic victory at home to Osasuna sealed Real Madrid the 2007-08 La Liga title.
The vice-captain of Los Blancos
At the beginning of the 2009-2010 season, Sergio Ramos was appointed one of the vice-captains of Real Madrid along with Iker Casillas and Marcelo. The three of them became the second captain of Los Blancos after the main captain, Raul Gonzalez.
After Raul left the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the 2009-2010 season, Real Madrid captain’s armband fell into the hands of Iker Casillas. Then, after the departure of Casillas in 2015, the position of captain of Los Blancos was continued by Sergio Ramos.
With Ramos as captain, Real Madrid successfully won La Liga 2016-2017 and 2019-2020 as well as a hat-trick of Champions League winners from 2015-2016 to 2017-2018.
Minutes 90+3 2014 Champions League final
The Madrid derby was presented in the 2013-2014 Champions League final. In the final match which was held at the Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Atletico Madrid took the lead through Diego Godin’s 36th minute goal. Real Madrid are still behind until normal time is over.
However, the magic came when the injury time showed the third minute. Los Blancos get a corner kick taken by Luka Modric. Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos advanced into the Atletico penalty box. Modric released a corner kick, greeted by Ramos’ header. Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois failed to block the ball.
Ramos’ goal extended Real Madrid’s breath and the match went into extra time. Real Madrid, who was coached by Carlo Ancelotti at the time, went on a rampage in extra time. They scored three goals through Gareth Bale (110′), Marcelo (118′), and Cristiano Ronaldo’s 120th minute penalty.
Real Madrid finally won with a score of 4-1 and realized their dream of winning La Decima aka their 10th Champions League title. Sergio Ramos’ goal in the 90+3 minute became one of the keys to Los Blancos’ success in lifting the Big Ear trophy in Lisbon.
