Real Madrid withdrew contract offer, ‘I never wanted to leave’

Sergio Ramos has insisted that he “by no means wished to depart Real Madrid” and claimed he would have accepted the membership’s provide of a one-year contract extension, however was advised it had expired.

Madrid announced on Wednesday that captain Ramos, 35, will go away when his deal runs out on the finish of this month.

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The defender broke down in tears throughout a farewell ceremony on Thursday — attended by membership president Florentino Perez, board members, membership workers and Ramos’ household — on the Actual Madrid Metropolis coaching advanced.

“I by no means wished to depart Actual Madrid, I all the time wished to remain right here,” Ramos mentioned. “In the previous few months the membership made me a proposal of 1 12 months, with a pay reduce. I need to spotlight that cash has by no means been an issue, the president is aware of that.

“It wasn’t a monetary downside. They supplied me one 12 months, I wished two. I wished calm and continuity for my household … Within the newest conversations, I accepted the provide with a pay reduce, and I used to be advised there was not a proposal. I used to be advised that regardless of having given the OK to the proposal, it had an expiry date and I did not realise … It shocked me.”

Ramos refused to enter particulars of talks with Perez over a brand new deal, which had dragged on all through final season with out an settlement being reached.

“They’re non-public conferences that I need to preserve non-public out of respect for the membership, the president and myself,” he mentioned. “However it’s true that it was communicated to me only a week in the past, by way of my agent, that the provide had expired with out us realizing.

“No person had given us an ultimatum … I believed there was a risk to simply accept the final provide they’d placed on the desk … They’re questions I can not reply. The membership has its priorities.”

Ramos described his relationship with Perez as “extraordinary” and mentioned he was “eternally grateful.”

“I am going to give attention to the love and the final hug he gave me right this moment,” he mentioned. “I am not somebody who holds onto resentment. Misunderstandings can keep up to now, I am going to give attention to the nice issues.”

“Right this moment is not a simple day,” Perez had mentioned earlier. “You have been somebody very particular for me and we have suffered and fought collectively for Actual Madrid’s current historical past. Above all, I would like you to be comfortable wherever you might be… We’re satisfied {that a} legend like you’ll all the time be an amazing ambassador for Actual Madrid.”

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@SergioRamos | #GraciasSergio pic.twitter.com/bx70SPKU6X

— Actual Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 17, 2021

ESPN has reported that Manchester City are main contenders to signal Ramos and have been contemplating a two-year contract provide, though a number of different golf equipment are additionally .

“I have never thought of any staff for the time being,” Ramos mentioned. “It is true that since January, after I was free and in the marketplace for contractual causes, we have had calls to my brother from golf equipment, however at no time I’ve thought of leaving. Now we’ll take a look at an excellent possibility for me.”

He added: “Sevilla is the opposite membership of my coronary heart, however proper now I am not contemplating that possibility and Sevilla aren’t contemplating it both. As for Barca, it is a rotund no. It is unattainable to see Ramos in a Barca shirt.”

The centre-back is extensively recognised as one in all Actual Madrid’s most influential gamers, making 671 appearances and scoring 101 targets since signing from Sevilla on the age of 19 in 2005.

He scored some of the vital targets within the membership’s historical past — a 93rd-minute equaliser within the 2014 Champions League last in opposition to Atletico Madrid — and have become Actual captain in 2015 after Iker Casillas‘ departure.

Ramos has received a complete of twenty-two trophies with Actual Madrid, together with 4 Champions Leagues, 5 La Liga titles and two Copas del Rey. He was additionally a member of Spain‘s successful groups at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

An injury-hit 2020-21 season — making 21 Actual Madrid appearances in all competitions, simply 5 of them coming in 2021 — noticed him ignored of Spain’s Euro 2020 squad by coach Luis Enrique.