Real Madrid: Who should be the new number 4 after Sergio Ramos’ exit?

It has been over a month since Sergio Ramos left Real Madrid, and Madrid fans found it difficult to cope up with the Captian’s emotional departure. Ramos came as a 19-year-old youngster aiming to make it big at his dream club but left as the best defender in the history of Real Madrid. He left behind a great legacy that could be difficult for any player to match.

But he also left behind the number four jersey of Real Madrid, a number which carries a lot of importance. It is to be seen if any Real Madrid player takes the jersey. It’s a number that was worn by a strong character who had a lot of respect from the players. And it seems like no player is interested in taking that number, with Jose Luis Sanchez saying on El Chringuito TV that no one wants to take it. Even MARCA’s Jose Felix Diaz has reported that no one ‘dares’ to take the number four.

The reaction from the dressing room is understandable. Real Madrid’s number four is as important as the number seven, with players like Fernando Hierro, Jose Antonio Camacho, Pirri and even Juanito wearing that number in the past before Sergio Ramos took it in 2005 and owned it for a record 16 years. Any player would think twice to judge if they are eligible to take such an important number, which is the symbol of leadership at Real Madrid.

The number 4 can’t remain vacant in 2021/22

But there are certain rules in LaLiga, which might create the need for the number four to have a successor. LaLiga allows only the numbers of 1 to 25 for first-team players, while 1 and 13 are reserved for a goalkeeper. Numbers greater than 25 are only for reserve team players. In such a situation, when Real Madrid are having a lot of loanees who have returned, the number four must be taken by someone or the other.

Currently, the vacant numbers at Real Madrid are 4,16,18,21, while the number five could become vacant in the coming days as Raphael Varane is on the verge of leaving Real Madrid, according to rumors. The players who have returned from the loan are Jesus Vallejo, Dani Ceballos, Martin Odegaard, Luka Jovic, Gareth Bale, Brahim Diaz and Takefusa Kubo, while David Alaba is the only signing of the summer.

Brahim Diaz’s loan to Milan is all but official, while Takefusa Kubo is rumored to be going out on loan again. But the rest of the players are going to stay at Real Madrid, with rumours suggesting that the players want to stay at Real Madrid and fight for their places. With so many players left to be registered, the number four can’t be left vacant.

Who are the contenders for the jersey number at Real Madrid?

With Ramos and Varane, the longstanding centre-back duo of Real Madrid, both leaving in the same window, the numbers 4 and 5 would be up for grabs. The only replacement that has been signed so far is David Alaba, a player who is seen as Ramos’ replacement by the club. So it would make sense for Alaba to take the number 4, and in the end, he might be the one to take it.

Alaba used to wear the number 27 at Bayern, but it is not possible to take that number at Real Madrid due to LaLiga rules. So he might have to take any of the number four or five at the club. He demonstrated his leadership skills in his journey with Austria as their captain in the Euros. So, it can be understood that he is a strong character, from his body language on the field.

Given the way he is determined to spend the best years of his career at Real Madrid, it wouldn’t be surprising if the 29-year-old takes the number four. And if he takes the number, that would break the tradition of only the Spanish Real Madrid players getting to wear the number four.

Personally, I wanted to see Nacho take the Number four. The one-club man has been at Real Madrid from his childhood, and the Spaniard knows everything that happens inside the club and the dressing room. And he’s a born leader, so I personally feel that he might be the best contender for the number four. But in the past two weeks of the pre-season, he has not asked for a change in number, which shows that he might not be interested in touching the number of his former captain.

Another option is Jesus Vallejo, the player who returned from a disappointing loan spell at Granada. His future is looking unclear, and reports suggest that the club see Vallejo as Varane’s replacement. Vallejo took the legendary number three in 2017, after Pepe’s departure, but now that number is taken by Eder Militao, who may not be interested in a change of numbers.

Given his past, Vallejo might be interested in taking the number 4. But with all due respect to him, the club should value the sentiments of the fans for once, and avoid another situation like Mariano taking over the number seven in 2018.

When a young, aggressive and ambitious Sergio Ramos took that legendary number in 2005, people could’ve doubted him as well. But Ramos was a man of character, something which he had shown at Sevilla, and he was considered to be one of the best youngsters back then.

Some may link the Vallejo situation to Ramos’ one, but Vallejo has never shown that he is capable of being the team’s main defender, and the club shouldn’t add pressure on him by giving him the number four when he’s yet to prove himself.