After 16 years, skipper Sergio Ramos bids farewell to Real Madrid

Breaking the hearts of many Real Madrid faithful, captain Sergio Ramos is set to quit the club, the La Liga giants announced on their official website on Wednesday.

Real said there would be an “act of tribute and farewell” to Ramos on Thursday in the presence of club president Florentino Perez.

ALSO READ | Who are the biggest stars missing out on Euro 2020? Find out here

The Spaniard joined Madrid from Sevilla in 2005 and is one of the club’s most successful ever players, having won five La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and two Copas del Rey and 22 titles in total, just one short of the club record.

However, the 35-year-old has struggled with injuries this season and has played just five times since the start of the year. Ramos’ 21 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions is his lowest in 15 seasons playing for the club.

Ramos has missed games after catching COVID-19 and also because of injuries to his right thigh, his left calf and, most recently, his left hamstring.

He was in Madrid’s squad for the final game of the La Liga season against Villarreal but did not feature.

The veteran defender was also omitted from the Spain squad for the ongoing Euro 2020.

The absence of Ramos meant there is not a single Madrid player in the Spain squad.

Ramos is the most capped player in the history of the Spanish national team, having played 180 games. With 23 goals, he is also Spain’s eighth-highest all-time goalscorer.

He represented Spain at four World Cups and three European Championships. He was a key member of the squads that won the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Although a lot of speculation has already started surrounding Ramos’ future club, no conclusive agreement has been reached. Reports suggest Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and his former club Sevilla are among the possible options.