Sergio Ramos shed tears at his farewell ceremony for Real Madrid, today, Thursday, after 16 years.
But he fired a final shot when he said that he was surprised that the club decided to withdraw its offer to extend his contract for one year due to the expiration of the offer period.
The contract of Real (the 13-time European champion) and Ramos, who played 671 games with the team and scored 101 goals, including scoring in two Champions League finals, expired, and the two parties did not reach an agreement to renew the contract.
#GraciasSergio pic.twitter.com/hDJYYardOQ
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadridarab) June 17, 2021
The player said that Real offered him a one-year contract with a 10% reduction in his previous salary, but he stuck to a two-year contract "so that my family would maintain continuity and reassurance", but discovered that the previous offer had been withdrawn.
Ramos told a press conference, "I agreed, but they told me that the offer that was on the table was withdrawn, and I respected their decision, but it was a surprise."
"I didn't realize that the show had a fixed term. There will be a lot of opinions about me but I would prefer people to know the full story first, and the president and the club to know that the issue was not about money. They offered me one year and I wanted two."
🗣️ Sergio Ramos: “This was the most amazing phase of my life.” #GraciasSergio |
@SergioRamos pic.twitter.com/bKl0F64et2
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadridarab) June 17, 2021
Ramos, 35, admitted that there had been "some contacts" in the last 6 months of his contract since last January, but stressed that "the departure from Real never crossed my mind."
"Life goes on. One era ends and another begins. Now is not the time to talk about other clubs, but I will find a suitable club for me."
And most likely, Ramos' next destination will be French Saint-Germain or the English Premier League due to his high salary, but he has reduced speculation of his return to his Seville youth club.
"Sevilla is another team in my heart and I had a great time there, but today I am not thinking about this option and this club."
He also mocked a question about the possibility of moving to Barcelona, the arch-rival of Real, saying, "No, it is loud."
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆winks @SergioRamos |
#GraciasSergio pic.twitter.com/7P3WladEls
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadridarab) June 17, 2021
Ramos, who joined Real at the age of 19 and won 22 titles, including 4 in the Champions League, quickly cried during the farewell ceremony.
"One of the most difficult moments in my life has come," he told a conference at the club's training headquarters in Baldebebas, adding that he was never ready to say goodbye to Real, "but the moment has come."
🤝 Florentino Pérez: "Thank you for everything you did for this club and for defending our shield and shirt. Thank you for giving your best in every game and fighting until the end."
#RealMadrid |
#GraciasSergio pic.twitter.com/ZFLc1U9D2v
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadridarab) June 17, 2021
Ramos received a greeting of thanks from club president Florentino Perez, who signed him from Seville in 2005 for 27 million euros (32 million dollars) in a then-record deal for a Spanish defender, in order to "promote the legend of Real Madrid and confirm that it is the most beloved club in the world."