Sergio Ramos returned to Sevilla and the Sánchez Pizjuán welcomed him last night more like the prodigal son than the footballer he lashed out at every time he appeared in a Real Madrid shirt for 16 seasons. Eighteen years are nothing, fans and players must have thought in a presentation that wanted to seal the reconciliation between the two.
All were good words despite the statement from the Biris, the club’s ultra group, which criticized his return. The player was emotional at the press conference. It was expected. He tears easily and is very given to abusing clichés and commonplaces that he learned during his years as captain of Real Madrid and of the national team, to which, by the way, the door was not closed: “A year ago I said that it’s over, but if circumstances change…,” he trailed off.
The president of Sevilla, José Castro, presented him as “one of ours”, and someone who has given up a lot to come back, which I want to thank publicly”. A club in the Arab League paid him twenty million per year and Nervión will receive one per season.
For Ramos, everything came down last night to a sentimental matter, closing a cycle that he owed to Antonio Puerta, his grandfather and his father. “All summer I was waiting for a call from Sevilla. I have the opportunity to close a cycle at the club that saw me born professionally and personally. I have always said that before I die I want to win something with the club of my soul, Sevilla”.
For Sergio Ramos there was no other option: “There were no contacts with Betis. none The only team he could play for in Spain is Sevilla. You can’t compare our fans with that of Betis. Ours is better by far. I would paint myself red and white. There is no color.”
The central again apologized to the Biris: “I respect the opinion of the whole Sevillian community. I apologize for the gestures I made, which were not appropriate. The most important thing is that we have the same shield on our chest and with performance we can all sail in favor of the current”.
Of PSG he said that “I could continue, but a cycle had ended and the Spanish League is the best. From Madrid, “who had a divided heart”, but who would take a penalty at the Bernabéu, if necessary.
The Rubiales case tiptoed over. He defended himself with what his former team-mates said: “His behavior was unacceptable”. Jenni Hermoso did not say a single word of solidarity. He preferred to congratulate the players for being world champions, and to talk about it.