The club has announced a press conference will be held  today to bid farewell to the veteran defender. The center-back’s contract expires at the end of June, and although there had been reports the club was willing to give him an extension if he accepted a pay cut, he has now decided to depart.

It has been a tough few months for Ramos. He was unable to influence Real’s fortunes as they crashed out of the Champions League against Chelsea. And he also missed out on Luis Enrique’s Spain squad for Euro 2020.

What have Real Madrid said?

“Real Madrid CF announces that tomorrow, Thursday, June 17, at 12:30 pm, there will be an institutional act of tribute and farewell to our captain Sergio Ramos, with the presence of our president Florentino Pérez.

 

“Next, Sergio Ramos will appear before the media at a telematic press conference.”

How much of a loss to Real is Ramos?

Symbolically, his exit is huge. Ramos has been there for the recent consistent European success under Zinedine Zidane and has marshalled their defence for the best part of two decades.

 

The reality, though, might be slightly further from the imagery. Ramos has struggled for fitness over the last year, making just 15 appearances for Real in La Liga.

 

He also missed out on the Spain squad for Euro 2020, suggesting he has dipped down a level as he has gotten older. At 35, he might not have been worth the two-year deal he wanted.

 

Real will probably benefit from Ramos’ disciplinary issues no longer cropping up. He has a record 191 cards in La Liga, 20 of them red cards. That is also a record for the Spanish top flight. He is also the most-booked player ever in all major European divisions.

 

Yet Ramos, who joined the La Liga side for a record fee for a Spanish defender in 2005, has undoubtedly exceeded the price tag Real offered for his services 16 years ago.

 

The 35-year-old also has an impressive goalscoring record for the club despite his position in central defence, having notched 101 goals in 671 appearances.