Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is just 100 games shy of breaking Real Madrid’s all-time record.
On August 31, 2005, a passionate 19-year old defender, who was denied captaincy of his boyhood club Sevilla, was signed by Florentino Pérez and Real Madrid for €27 million. Today, he is the captain of the world’s greatest club.
I am talking about a living legend, Sergio Ramos Garcia.
El Capitan is excruciatingly close to breaking an all-time Real Madrid record that still stands strong and if there is anyone to break that record, it is none other than the Spaniard himself.
The 34-year old captain of both club and country made his 642nd appearance for Los Blancos against Valencia, a match that was won 3-0 by the home side as they put on an exquisite second-half display at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano.
With this match, Ramos moved within 100 games of breaking the record of the most appearances by any player in the history of the club, a record held by legendary no. 7 Raúl who made 741 appearances between 1994 and 2010.
The former Sevilla prodigy has scored 92 goals for Los Merengues and is currently tied with former Barcelona defender Ronald Koeman on 67 La Liga goals, two with his former club and 65 with Real since joining 15 years ago.
Ramos’ current contract expires in June 2021. However, this contract will be renewed in all likelihood, given that he has a very good relationship with President Florentino Pérez and is still an irreplaceable player even at the age of 34.
If Ramos can keep his fitness at such a high level for a few more years and decides to stay with Los Blancos until the end of the 2022-23 season, then there is every chance he will be the new record-holder for the most appearances by a player in Real Madrid’s history, overtaking Raúl.
Every Madridista will hope for this dream to come true.