Sergio Ramos "
another four or five years at the highest level
", including two at PSG?
This is the plan of the 36-year-old Spanish international, as he explained at the end of April on
Amazon Prime Video
.
Words that had something to smile about at the time… A little less today.
Hampered by muscle problems and a knee injury, Ramos had already played little in his last six months at Real Madrid.
Arrived in Paris in the summer of 2021, it was the calf that deprived him of ground for a long time.
In fact, he did not really chain the matches before last April, participating in eight of nine of the last matches of Paris-SG in 2021-22, including six in the starting 11.
Not really reassuring for the future.
Moreover, Luis Campos hoped to attract Milan Skriniar until the end of the last transfer window, even if Christophe Galtier was counting on a three-man defense.
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Which Galtier does not skimp on praise when it comes to Ramos, a player with an "
exceptional career
" in club and selection and whose "
requirement
", "
professionalism
" he praises at leisure, not hesitating to talk about him as a "
cloakroom executive
".
However, this is not a guarantee of playing time in the mind of the 56-year-old technician.
“
It happened to me, in different clubs, to have executives who did not play because there was better, with healthy competition
”, slipped the Parisian coach at the start of the season.
I never doubted.
Sergio Ramos
Except that said Skriniar never came.
And that Ramos is finally spared from worries at the physical level.
Suddenly, the world champion and double European champion with Spain (180 caps, 23 goals) has aligned the tenures since the start of the campaign.
After only being able to play 13 matches in 2021-22 (2 goals), the Andalusian rock has already played 18 in 2022-23 (1 goal).
It may be 19 in Lorient this Sunday (1 p.m.).
An unexpected shock at the top of the table, the Hakes occupying fourth place in the L1 standings before the opening of this 14th day.
Ramos has in any case only missed twice since the resumption, and it was due to suspension after being sent off for inappropriate words towards the referee in Reims (0-0), in October.
Even the passage to four behind,
and therefore two in the central hinge, did not impact his playing time. It must be said that Galtier rested Marquinhos against Troyes (4-3) and that Presnel Kimpembe was forfeited against Juventus (1-2), this which was reducing his options to compose his back line.
The Frenchman, not recovered, will also miss the call at Moustoir.
Read alsoPSG notes against Juve: Mbappé shows the way, Soler slips away
Still, Ramos, who admitted at the start of the season to feel "
very well physically
", demonstrates week after week that we can count on him in Paris.
Admittedly, he sometimes looks his age in terms of speed and running, but his sense of position, his natural authority, his strength in duels and his vision of the long game make him, at 36, an asset for PSG and a real option for Galtier.
“
I never doubted
, he said in a press conference, before facing Juve
.
It was a very difficult year because of the injuries.
I've always played for Real, I've been lucky enough not to be injured much so far.
It happens… It's part of the job.
With perseverance and professionalism, I was able to overcome it.
This is what defines me as a player
”, he insists, highlighting “
his hunger to win
”, he is the quadruple winner of the Champions League.
31 games without defeat with PSG, a record
In the meantime, he does not lose.
In 31 matches under the Parisian tunic, Ramos has never known defeat, a record in the history of the club!
Former PSG captain Rai saw his unbeaten streak come to an end in the 29th game.
To see if the Merlus this Sunday or Auxerre, the next, will undermine this astonishing statistic.
Moreover, PSG is the only team in the European Top 5 still undefeated in 2022-23.
Of course, Benfica can also claim its place at the table of the invincibles, Paris knows it well...
It remains to be seen what the orientations of coach Galtier will be, with the defense at four or not and if necessary, with which players to compose the central hinge.
One thing is certain: if he said he was “
delighted
” to evolve right axis in the defense with three at the start of the season, Ramos does not hide that he “
prefers to play with four
”, like Marquinhos.
He does not, however, intend to publicly push for any particular tactical option.
“
It does not depend on us (the players), it is a choice for the coach
”, he eludes.
Moreover, nothing says that a defender will not arrive in the winter transfer window.
It is said here and there that Paris Saint-Germain have not forgotten Skriniar, free at the end of the season at the
Read alsoChampions League: PSG, the time for regrets… and to get down to work seriously
If so, Ramos could, perhaps, worry.
In the meantime, he sees the future with ambition and appetite, he who is under contract until June 2023. “
I feel very good with my family and my children
, he assures, at his ease in Paris
.
I hope I can play for a few more years because I live for football, I love it.
And to add: “
My motivation is always to evolve at the highest level.
I am very happy with the love I received at PSG.
I hope to repay that love with titles and a good return.
“All alongside a Lionel Messi he now rubs shoulders with after so many years of fighting him.
"
We have a very good relationship and it shows on the pitch.
To win, you need a good group, respect between the players and a spirit of brotherhood: the enemy is outside, not in the team.
We need peace to win things
, ”he swears.
Everyone knows what it means to me to defend the colors of my country.
I feel very good, I'm playing again and I'm available.
Sergio Ramos
Precepts that the Spanish veteran would like to distill within La Roja, during the World Cup (November 20-December 18).
“
Everyone knows what it means for me to defend the colors of my country
”, he slips, he who has not been called since March 2021 but who declares himself “
available
” and who admits “
dreaming
” to make the World Cup.
"
Afterwards, it's not my decision
," he notes.
Indeed, it is that of Luis Enrique.
The former Barça coach has, from Spanish sources, slept his name in a shortlist of 55 players.
Response on November 11.
Until then, Sergio Ramos does not intend to spare himself: “
Preserving yourself does not work.
If we do, we can still get hurt
“, he swears, paraphrasing the speech of his trainer on the subject.
And in terms of injuries, the former Real Madrid star has already largely had his account.
