Real Madrid news
By Dermot Corrigan, Spain Correspondent
Bale and Ramos endorse Ronaldo
Bale and Ramos endorse Ronaldo
Sergio Ramos said he feels “privileged” to play for Real Madrid and called for unity at the club amid speculation in Spain that club president Florentino Perez would be willing to sell him -- even to bitter rivals Barcelona.
• Train: Ramos red mist a concern
Respected radio host Jose Ramon de la Morena, of El Larguero, has claimed that the pair’s relationship has broken down, with issues dating as far back as last season’s reported ‘either he goes or we go’ ultimatum given to Perez by Ramos and Iker Casillas over the future of then coach Jose Mourinho.
De la Morena said that Ramos recently asked for a hefty pay rise, only to be told by Perez that no new deal would be forthcoming. When Ramos said that he had received offers from other teams, the club president reportedly said that if someone paid 65 million euros the defender could go, even if the buying club was Barcelona.
The Spain international’s current contract, which runs until 2017, is worth 5.5 million euros a year according to Marca and contains a release clause of 150 million euros.
AS added to the claims that there are problems between the pair, publishing a video of Ramos turning his head when Perez approached as the players were presented with new cars by a club sponsor on Thursday.
At that event, the centre-back told his club’s official website: “Unity is the most important thing in the dressing room. Respect and unity should never be missing from the team or from any job.”
He added that it was a privilege to play for a club like Madrid.
“I think that I play on the best team in the world because history says so,” he said. “I feel privileged. Counting this season, I’ve been with Real Madrid for nine seasons. The impact that playing for Real Madrid has on a global as well as a historic level is something that no other team has, and that means that we’re the best club. I feel privileged to be able to defend this crest.”
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