Paris (AFP)

Sergio Ramos, European experience in the service of Paris: four times crowned in the Champions League, the iconic Spanish defender joined PSG on Thursday for two seasons, offering himself a last challenge at 35 years old after leaving Real Madrid at reluctantly.

With the former captain Merengue, who arrives free, the club of the capital offers itself both a winning state of mind and a foolproof experience to try to finally reach the Grail of a coronation in C1, after a final lost in 2020 then an elimination in the semi-final in 2021.

He is a new recruit of choice for sporting director Leonardo after Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and Moroccan side Achraf Hakimi, probably waiting for Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after the Euro final ... Reinforcements may be likely to convince Parisian superstar Kylian Mbappé to extend his current contract beyond 2022.

"It's a big change in my life, a new challenge and a day that I will never forget", moved in a statement from the Parisian club the player who will find his fetish N.4.

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Ramos is an extraordinary record in world football with a World Cup (2010), two Euros (2008, 2012), plus his four Champions League therefore, but also five Spanish league titles (2007, 2008, 2012, 2017, 2020) with Real Madrid.

It is also a recognized reliability in the choppy matches for this leader of men with a fiery temperament, who for example sounded the charge of an equalizer in the extra time of the 2014 Champions League final against Atlético , finally won 4-1 after extra time by Real Madrid.

- Defender-goalscorer -

In 16 years in the Merengue jersey, Ramos (1.84 m) has asserted himself as one of the best central defenders in the world for his air presence, his power in duels and his sense of anticipation, despite an unfortunate tendency to errors of concentration, especially in less exposed matches.

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He is also a rare defender-scorer, who recently assumed responsibility for taking penalties at Real, and has 101 goals in 671 matches for the Madrid club.

It is nevertheless reluctantly that the Andalusian was forced to leave Real this summer, after refusing an offer of a one-year extension accompanied by a salary cut.

The former right-back, converted central, is one of the most prolific defenders in history, with 23 goals with the Spanish selection of which he is the most capped player: 180 caps, a record in Europe.

- Numerous injuries -

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

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

The only downside for the neo-Parisian: his physical condition, and his ability to chain matches at 35 years old.

His last season at Real was disrupted by numerous injuries, to the right thigh, left calf and hamstrings, to the point that Spain coach Luis Enrique chose to do without his captain for the Euro, to the great disappointment of the person concerned.

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Like the recruitments of superstars at the end of their careers like David Beckham, Dani Alves or Gianluigi Buffon in recent years, this is a nice marketing coup.

It may also be a good sporting choice for Paris which now has with Ramos, Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe three central defenders of international level ... and an additional argument to convince Mbappé to stay.

The superstar striker has not agreed to continue beyond his lease expiring in 2022, posing the threat of a departure as early as this summer, possibly at Real Madrid.

According to the press, Mbappé wanted to see how the Parisian workforce was going to be reinforced before deciding.

With the arrival of the former Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, he is served.

© 2021 AFP