Madrid (AFP)

Sergio Ramos, the legendary captain of Real Madrid, will leave the Spanish club where he has served for sixteen years and with which he won four Champions Leagues and five Spanish Championships.

A ceremony in honor of the central defender, whose contract expires on June 30, will take place at 10:30 a.m. GMT on Thursday in the presence of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, the club said in a statement on Wednesday.

This ceremony will be followed by a virtual press conference by the player.

Meanwhile, Ramos changed the caption of his Twitter account on Wednesday, adding the Real Madrid crest along with the word "thank you".

Ramos, 35, has been wearing the Merengue club jersey since 2005, with which he has won the Champions League four times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) and the Liga five times (2007, 2008, 2012, 2017, 2020). .

This announcement puts an end to speculation on the possible extension of Ramos, who was not selected by the Spanish coach Luis Enrique to play the Euro.

"After a few fucked up months and an atypical and special season of what I have experienced in my entire career, comes the Euro," Ramos said in a message on his social networks in May when he learned that 'he was not summoned.

"It pains me not to have been able to help my team more and not to defend Spain but, in this case, it is better to rest, to fully recover well and, next year, to come back as we have. always done, "he added.

According to the Spanish press, Real Madrid were offering the player an additional year with a 10% pay cut, while Ramos wanted to extend for two years.

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Its destination is not mentioned in the club's press release.

Originally from Camas, in the suburbs of Seville in Andalusia (south), Ramos was trained at Sevilla FC.

He made his professional debut there in 2004-2005 in a single season before joining Real Madrid at 19, who had acquired him for 27 million euros.

- "The end of an era" -

An intractable central defender, he is also a goalscorer thanks to his excellent header.

He has scored over one hundred goals for Real Madrid in sixteen seasons.

He was also a key component of the team from Spain, world champions in 2010 and Europe in 2008 and 2012. He scored 23 goals in 180 caps.

In 16 seasons in the Merengue jersey, Sergio Ramos has won 22 titles, divided into 4 Champions Leagues, 3 European Super Cups, 4 Club World Cups, 5 Spanish Leagues, 2 Copa del Rey and 4 Super Cups. Spain.

Ramos is the second most successful man in the history of Real Madrid, only surpassed by the legendary Paco Gento, who remains at 87 years the honorary president of the club.

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With his 671 games and 101 goals, Ramos is the fourth player to have defended the Merengue jersey most often, behind Raul Gonzalez, Iker Casillas and Manolo Sanchis.

His last season at Real Madrid was disrupted by numerous injuries.

He sustained injuries to his right thigh, left calf, and left hamstrings.

He also contracted Covid-19.

Reactions to his departure were quick on social media: "The greatest legend in Real Madrid history is leaving. I wish you the best in your next step, my brother," the footballer wrote German Mesut Özil, Ramos' former teammate at Real.

"It's the end of an era," noted the former Merengue player and now commentator Alvaro Benito.

© 2021 AFP