It’s hard to imagine Real Madrid without Sergio Ramos.
Since joining Real Madrid from Sevilla in 2005, Sergio Ramos has become something of an establishment at the Santiago Bernabeu. The team captain, Ramos has reached heights few center backs in history reach, changing the position with his commanding passing and incredible goal-scoring ability.
Ramos, a converted right back who has even played in the defensive midfield, has scored 64 goals in his Real Madrid career. And the goals are still coming, as he’s second behind only star striker Karim Benzema in goals scored in La Liga this season.
However, Ramos’ days at the Bernabeu are, sadly, numbered. He remains one of the top center backs in La Liga, but the 34-year-old does show some lapses.
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Ramos, as you’d expect, isn’t the same player he was even a few years ago.
He’s still effective, but with one year left on his contract, Los Blancos will be careful not to overcommit to the player. As with the attack, they have one eye to the future with the defense.
AS reports, via Fichajes.net’s Javier Parra Peña, that Los Merengues will only offer Sergio Ramos a one-year extension to his current contract, which expires after the 2020-2021 season.
Real’s logic is that they want to move to the future without committing too much to a declining player.
Last summer, they signed Eder Militao for 50 million euros from FC Porto after his impressive Champions League run.
Militao has been as-advertised, showing especially good chemistry with future captain Raphael Varane.
Players like Mohamed Salisu in La Liga or Dayot Upamecano in the Bundesliga could join Los Blancos to compete with Militao or back up Varane and Militao to build Real’s future defense. Ramos can then move on to coaching for Real or elsewhere, or extending his playing career in MLS. (It’s hard to see the four-time Champions League winner and La Decima hero playing anywhere else in Europe.)
A goodbye would be better sweet, but Madridistas will have at least two more years before Ramos has to call it quits with the White club.