Sergio Ramos could not contain emotions during farewell speech

Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 1:27 PM• Rian Rosendaal

Sergio Ramos was visibly emotional during his farewell press conference at Real Madrid on Thursday. The departing defender couldn’t hold back his tears as he spoke of his farewell to the Royal after sixteen years of faithful service. On Thursday it was officially announced that Ramos will leave the Spanish superpower. It is not yet known where and whether he will continue his career.

“The time has come to leave Real Madrid, one of the most difficult moments of my life. It was through my father that I came to this club,” Ramos said during Thursday afternoon’s press briefing. The 35-year-old mandekker then breaks down in tears and it takes a while before he can resume his story. The audience nevertheless treated Ramos to a round of applause. “It is impossible not to get emotional. I would have loved to say goodbye at the Santiago Bernabéu. But thanks to Real Madrid, I will always carry the fans in my heart. This ends a great period, but hopefully it will also open the door to even more successful times. I want to continue for years to come and win prizes.”

Chairman Florentino Pérez also thanked Ramos extensively in a farewell speech and the outgoing defender was then pinned with a gold badge for his services to Real. Afterwards there was a photo opportunity with Ramos, Pérez and the relatives of the figurehead of the Madrilenians. The total of 22 prizes that the front stopper managed to conquer in the past 16 years also came into the picture.

Several Real players put Ramos in the limelight via social media on Thursday. Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois, among others, are full of praise for the defender. Former goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who won the Champions League with Ramos several times, also pays tribute to his old teammate via Twitter, whom he describes as ‘a legend’ of Real.


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