French Real Madrid players Karim Benzema and Raphaël Varane paid tribute on Thursday to Spanish player Sergio Ramos who is leaving the club.

The latter burst into tears the same day at a press conference when discussing his departure from a club with which he won four Champions Leagues.

After the announcement of his departure from Real Madrid by the Spanish club on Wednesday, iconic Spanish footballer Sergio Ramos broke down in tears on Thursday, declaring that his departure from the Merengue club, of which he wore the jersey for 16 years, was "l 'one of the most difficult moments of (his) life ".

The central defender explained his departure by a failure of negotiations on the extension of his contract, while ensuring not to keep "any resentment" against the club.

"In recent months, the club made me an offer of one year, with a lower salary" but "I wanted two", the 35-year-old explained at a press conference.

"More than a captain, my friend, my brother"

Not selected by the Spanish coach Luis Enrique to play the Euro, Sergio Ramos said he finally accepted "the offer with the salary cut and I am told that there is no more offer. I am told that the offer has an expiration date, which I hadn't heard of, ”he added. The latter received on Thursday the support of his two French teammates of Real Raphaël Varane and Karim Benzema. "More than a captain, my friend, my brother, thank you for all these moments that we lived together on the road to success for Real Madrid. I wish you the best legendary Sergio Ramos", tweeted the striker merengue bruises.

More than a Capitán, my friend, my brother thanks for all the moments we spent together on the road of success for the @realmadrid Wish you all the best legend @SergioRamos ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3KcYOq4IwU

- Karim Benzema (@Benzema) June 17, 2021

For his part, Raphaël Varane greeted his captain whom he described as a "living legend" in a publication on the social network Instagram.

"I learned a lot and I really enjoyed forming a complementary duo. Congratulations on all these years in Madrid, where you have defended your team in an exemplary way", also wrote the central defender of the France team.

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A post shared by Raphael Varane (@raphaelvarane)

Sergio Ramos, whose contract expires on June 30, has been wearing the Real Madrid jersey since 2005. With this club, he has won the Champions League four times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) and the Liga five times (2007 , 2008, 2012, 2017, 2020).