Iconic former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos could be in line for a shock end-of-career move, according to Fabrizio Romano’s latest update. Turning 40 in the new year, the four-time Champions League winner has spent the past 12 months plying his trade with Mexican side Monterrey.
That move followed a brief stint back at boyhood club Sevilla, marking a full-circle moment as it was where he started his career. He also became one of the few players to feature alongside both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, having joined forces with the latter at Paris Saint-Germain during the French giants’ era of high-profile signings.
But while a move to the other side of the world would normally signal the winding down of a career, it appears Ramos - one of the greatest defenders in football history - still has fire in his stomach to continue playing.
Fabrizio Romano Reveals Ramos' Future Plans
Sergio Ramos celebrates for Sevilla
Sergio Ramos celebrates for Sevilla
Ramos would be open to considering a move to Serie A on a free transfer, and is looking for a Luka Modric-type impact somewhere. That was the bombshell claim made by Romano, who revealed on his latest YouTube video (watch from 4:02) of the video below):
“First of all, Sergio Ramos is leaving Mexico, Rayados Monterrey, the team he’s played for in recent months. He played in the Club World Cup, and scored even against Inter. Our league has once again proven to be the best home for champions, as we’ve seen so many, Luka Modric is just the latest, who choose a different opportunity to be protagonists in a different league.
“Modric at Milan has had an extraordinary impact. Ramos also has this kind of desire to find the right opportunity. We’ll see if he’ll be in Italy, it would be nice, but today I’ll tell you about his desire to leave and this possible openness to our league.”
Naturally, Milan - who have been tipped to move for an experienced central defender - were among the first clubs linked by Calcio Mercato. The Spaniard has previously spoken about his admiration for the Rossoneri and club legend Paolo Maldini, while he was linked with a move by El Chiringuito back in 2021.
Having also mentioned that Ramos has one eye on an unlikely call-up to the Spain squad ahead of the World Cup, the renowned Italian journalist added: “Between now and the January transfer window, we’ll see if anyone is interested or not, but it’s an opportunity for now. Ramos wants to change teams now and he doesn’t intend to retire, and so be careful because Sergio Ramos is putting himself on the market a bit.
“This is certainly a very interesting discussion right now, especially in relation to Italy. We don’t know of any clubs having made any moves, but it’s just a few days since this choice by Ramos. We’ll see if anyone will turn on a light bulb."
Ramos' Storybook Career May Still Have Chapters Left
Sergio-Ramos
There's arguably no defender in world football who understood the assignment more and was better geared for the magnitude of Europe's most prestigious club competition than Real Madrid's reliable former captain.
With 17 goals in 142 Champions League appearances, Ramos holds the record on both fronts as a defender. And to add further weight to his special European legacy, the Spaniard won the competition on four occasions, was inducted into the FIFPRO World11 on 11 occasions (including 10 consecutive years between 2010 and 2020), finished as Champions League Defender of the Year twice, and was included in the UEFA Team of the Year nine times.
After 16 seasons, 22 trophies, 671 games and 101 goals for Real Madrid, the club's most honoured player can offer leadership in abundance to teams that need inspiration in their pursuit of silverware. Modric is proving he has a lot left in the tank, so why can't his trusty former teammate do the same?