Sergio Ramos: A tribute to a Real Madrid legend

Life, death, taxes, and Sergio Ramos playing for Real Madrid – a pairing that seemed inseparable, as the man himself said: ‘the perfect marriage.’ Yet, after 16 historic years, 671 games, 101 goals, and 22 titles, Real Madrid will line up in the 2021/22 season and Ramos will not be in the squad.

Ramos joined Real whilst I, like many who watched his career at Los Blancos, were children. Sergio himself admitted he was also just a child when he joined Real Madrid. A teenage prodigy who turned up in an over-the-top white suit making a statement, that was Sergio Ramos.

Everything about Sergio captured attention, he was the man. Even as the long-haired young cub in a dressing room full of winning lions, Ramos was not phased – he made himself belong. During his maiden campaign, he was amongst Real’s most regular names on the team-sheet.

Such was the belief that he was different, he was not only a record transfer for a Spanish defender, but he was also Pérez’s only Spanish purchase in his first tenure and was given the iconic number 4.

Although, it was Ramos who demanded to be given the number 4 jersey, openly stating his desire to be the next Fernando Hierro. What was seen to be an impossible task, Hierro had forged an immense legacy. Even supporters thought Sergio couldn’t come close, however, now all is said and done – he certainly proved his point.

The going was not easy for the former Sevilla man. He was seen as a raging bull, a chaotic liability, a rash hot-head. Sure, the statistics may even back that point – he holds the yellow and red card record in LaLiga.

There were moments where he was quite literally dragged and made a fool of by opposition, just look at those clashes against the likes of Ronaldinho and Leo Messi. Ramos was by no means perfect, but he never allowed that to hold him down. He only grew with the tribulations.

As the years progressed, so did the trophy cabinet, so did his ability and indispensability. Quickly, Ramos grew from the hot-headed centre-back and into an elite leader of the line. A colossal defender who shone in the biggest games under the brightest lights.

Perhaps one of the biggest testaments to Ramos’ growth is the fact that by age 28, he had never even played in a Champions League final. Within 4 years, aged 32, he had 4 European crowns to his name, the most of any captain at the club.

That seemingly sums up one of the biggest things about Sergio Ramos, he will succeed and succeed in grand fashion. What better way is there to confirm that than his heroics against Atletico Madrid in 2014? It was all but over, until Sergio Ramos leaped to meet the ball 92 minutes and 48 seconds into the game.

Whenever Real Madrid needed a hero, Ramos was there. A man who thrived in the chaos, a man for the big moments – Sergio was in the middle of it. Whether it be a last-ditch tackle or putting a goal in, he was there.

A testament to his mental strength, just a matter of a few years before, he suffered the anguish of missing a vital penalty against Bayern Munich in a Champions League semi-final. He swore blind that he would right the wrong, and he did, multiple times.

He was perfectly imperfect, chaotic, wild, and unpredictable. But he was everything that it means to be Madridismo, he bled for the badge, he represented the colours, and understood the values. Zinedine Zidane said it himself: ” Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but to doubt what Ramos means to the club is showing a lack of respect, we know what Sergio is about, as do his team-mates. He’s a much-loved figure here and he’s always proven that. He’s our captain, the best possible captain Real Madrid could have.”

It did not matter whether he was playing alongside Carlos, Raúl, Zidane, or Ronaldo Nazario or whether it was Modric, Marcelo, and Cristiano – Ramos belonged, he led the way. Whether he was loved or hated, cheered or booed, Sergio did what Sergio does – he won.

Few could have expected that the man who often created the most noise, would leave in such quiet fashion. Going out with a whisper as opposed to a chant, there was no fanfare and no grand goodbye, perhaps because had never planned to say goodbye.

But alas, the fans and the club wave farewell to a legend, icon, and leader. He arrived in 2005 as a plucky young right-back and he leaves now, 16 years later in 2021 as a face worthy on Real Madrid’s Mount Rushmore. Whatever comes next for Sergio, nos vemos pronto leyenda, líder, capitán.