Sergio Ramos enjoyed unprecedented success during his time with Real Madrid
Defender was also part of the Spain team that dominated international football
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By TUM BALOGUN
Published: 15:13 EDT, 11 March 2025 | Updated: 15:13 EDT, 11 March 2025
William Saliba has named legendary former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos as the best defender of all time.
The Frenchman heaped praise on the combative centre-half, who enjoyed unprecedented success at the Bernabeu during his 16-year stay in the Spanish capital.
Saliba's comments come on the eve of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 second leg against PSV - but more pertinently, amid recent reports linking him with a move to the 15-time European Cup winners.
The 23-year-old, who will have two years remaining on his contract at Arsenal at the end of the season, recalled speaking to the 38-year-old during the Gunners' clash against Seville last term.
'I wanted his shirt,' he said. 'But Gabriel also wanted his shirt. So I gave it to Gabriel, because he wanted his shirt so badly. So I gave it to Gabriel. But yes, it’s the only thing that I spoke with him.
'Of course, for me, he’s the best in history. And there are some others, like Van Dijk for me, who is unbelievable. Gabriel. There are some others as well.'
William Saliba has been linked with a move to Real Madrid as he enters the final two years of his contract
The Frenchman hailed legendary former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos as the best defender of all time
The 23-year-old also praised Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who he described as 'unbelievable'
Mikel Arteta's side's last hope of silverware this season comes in the Champions League
Saliba, who, by his own admission, has been short of his best form this term, revealed that he his yet to begin contract negotiations with Arsenal but insisted that he is happy at the club and determined to win 'big things' for the Gunners.
'I’m really happy here,' he added. 'I have two years and a half as well. There is nothing [to worry about]. I’m happy here and I want to continue here.
'Of course, I want to win big things with Arsenal. Because if you leave this club and you didn’t win anything, the fans and the people will forget about you. Of course, I want to win big things here.'
Mikel Arteta's side welcome the Eredivisie champions to the Emirates with a practically unassailable 7-1 advantage from the first leg. The Champions League provides the last opportunity for the side to claim silverware this term, with Liverpool now 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal will face either Madrid or city rivals Atletico in the quarter-final should they avoid a historic collapse and progress as expected.
Saliba insisted that the side must not take their clash against the Dutch side for granted if they are to go far in the competition.
He added: 'If we want to be there in the next two months, we have to win tomorrow or not lose. Everyone wants to win the Champions League, because this competition is one competition that you watch when you are young, and you want to win.
'And we know that the competition is really hard to win, so we’ll give everything and anything can happen.'