Real Madrid defender and captain, Sergio Ramos is set to leave the Spanish side at the expiration of his contract on June 30, it has emerged.
The Spanish club announced Ramos’ exit from the club after 16 years in a statement on their website on Wednesday and a press conference will be held on Thursday to formally announce the Real captain’s departure.
A short statement on the club’s official website reads:
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 Perez.
After that, Sergio Ramos will appear before the media at a telematic press conference.
Comunicado Oficial.#RealMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 16, 2021
The 35-year-old joined Real Madrid from Sevilla in 2005 and has notched 101 goals in 671 appearances at the La Liga club, winning five league titles, two Copa del Reys, four Champions Leagues and four Club World Cups.
It was during his time in the Spanish capital that he also won 2010 World Cup with Spain along with back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
However, injuries have taken their toll in the most recent campaign as he played just 21 times as Real Madrid lost out in the title race to city rivals, Atletico Madrid while also going out at the semi-final stage of Champions League.
The 35-year-old struggled with muscle injures and a knee problem that required surgery, meaning he only played once since March – the 2-0 Champions League semi-final second-leg defeat to Chelsea on May 5.
It also meant Ramos missed out on Spain’s squad for Euro 2020 as manager, Luis Enrique opted to select no Real players in his squad.
Spanish press reports have continually questioned Ramos‘ long-term future at the Bernabeu (Real Madrid) with the club hierarchy keen on making wholesale changes to the playing squad this summer.
Ramos will be a free agent and a host of top clubs are already reported to be interested in signing him.
Unconfirmed reports have it that Ramos would be returning to his former club, Sevilla, although the announcement of his exit from Madrid could trigger interests from Paris or London.
