Ramos: No United regrets

Sergio Ramos doesn’t regret turning down Manchester United but admits being Real Madrid captain is a ‘tremendous honour’ which ‘weighs heavily.’

Ramos spoke to El Laguero in advance of the Champions League Final against Atletico Madrid, recalling his equaliser two years earlier, but also reflected on his time at Santiago Bernabeu, joining from Sevilla in 2005, aged 19.

“When I arrived I had Zinedine Zidane to my left and Roberto Carlos to my right. It was up to me to speak. I don’t think I said hello until I was 23. They were idols, megastars, what could a kid say to those great players? Roberto took care of me,” Ramos revealed, AS reports, before he looked ahead.

“I’ve been here 11 years and every summer 40 signings are advertised that are coming and coming and never arrive. Any player in the world who shines wants to come to Madrid. Madrid pays the very high fees, everybody wants to come here…you have to live with these things.

“My shoulder? I didn’t expect it to be so bad. It gave me a lot of problems but I realised that you have to stop when you’re not right, recover and come back at 100% because Madrid will always require the highest level, although some people don’t understand. Fortunately the pain is forgotten.”

Ramos was close to leaving Santiago Bernabeu last summer, with Manchester United appearing close to his signature, but the centre-back is relieved he didn’t take the offer from Old Trafford.

“It’s good I didn’t go to Manchester. These are moments that have already happened, decisions that are fortunately taken for the best. The balance is clearly on one side so I’m proud to be here for many more years,” he confirmed.

“The captain’s armband does weigh heavily, especially if you look back at the history of this team. The captain is the first to set an example if you want something from the rest. I’m the first to throw myself in the mud if they want to play dirty. It’s a tremendous honour to be the captain of this team, to have this responsibility and to reach it in the best way possible.”

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