Ramos criticizes club management as farewell: "never wanted to leave Real Madrid"

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Real Madrid's longtime captain Sergio Ramos

Photo: Nick Potts / dpa

Long-time captain Sergio Ramos reacted with emotional words to the end of his era at Real Madrid and sharply criticized the club management of the Spanish football champions.

"The time has come, one of the most difficult in my life, to say goodbye," said Ramos at a tribute to the club on Thursday in Madrid before he had to interrupt his speech for a moment with tears in his eyes.

At the following virtual press conference, the 35-year-old attacked the top management of the Real President Florentino Pérez and manager José Ángel Sánchez, who were no longer present.

Contract talks were at the center of his criticism.

Ramos said he actually wanted to extend it for a further two years, but ultimately agreed to a new one-year contract.

Real then refused to give him this.

Deadline apparently hidden

“I accepted the offer, then I was informed that the deadline had expired,” Ramos reported.

However, he did not know of a deadline and was "very surprised": "I never wanted to leave Real Madrid." Money did not play a role.

Ramos did not comment on how much time there had been between the offered one-year contract and his acceptance.

Ramos' contract expires at the end of the month.

The former world and European champion played a total of 16 years with the royal team and won 22 titles, including four times the Champions League and five times the Spanish championship.

National player Toni Kroos ennobled his long-time teammate on Twitter on Thursday: “Best!

Defender!

Ever! ”Wrote the ex-world champion.

It is not known for which club Ramos will appear in the future.

Switching to ex-club FC Sevilla or Real's arch-rival FC Barcelona is not an issue, he emphasized.

»A unique stage in my life is coming to an end.

Nothing will be like what I experienced here, "said Ramos at his honor and assured him:" I will come back sooner or later. "

Ramos had only played 21 competitive games in the past season due to injury problems.

Spain coach Luis Enrique then did not call Ramos into the Spanish squad for the European Championship for fitness reasons.

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