i

Sergio Ramos is making football history. The Spanish defender reached an agreement with Sevilla's majority shareholder and is taking control of the club. What was already emerging around New Year has now moved to the next phase.

The central defender from Camas was born on 30 March 1986 and made his name at Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and of course his youth love Sevilla. In September 2023, he returned to the club where it all started after twenty years.

His trophy cabinet speaks volumes: world champion in 2010, twice European champion (2008 and 2012), and four-time Champions League winner. In October 2019, he became Spain's record international. As captain of the national team, he led his country through countless tournaments.

Youth years at Sevilla

Ramos came through Sevilla's youth academy and made his Primera División debut on 1 February 2004 against Deportivo La Coruña. He replaced Paco Gallardo and immediately showed what he was capable of.

His first European match followed on 16 September 2004 in the UEFA Cup against CD Nacional. Straight on target too: his debut goal came with it. Ten days later, he scored his first league goal against Real Sociedad.

The 2004/05 season saw Ramos break through as a regular starter. He ended the season with a goal against Real Madrid. Nobody knew then that this would be his future employer.

The move to Madrid

Real Madrid paid 27 million euros for the young defender in August 2005. Wearing number 4, he made his debut against Celta de Vigo as a substitute for Francisco Pavón. The match was lost (2-3).

Three days later came his Champions League debut against Olympique Lyonnais, also a defeat (3-0). His first goal for Real came on 6 December 2005 against Olympiakos Piraeus, although that couldn't prevent a loss.

On 10 March 2007, Ramos scored in El Clásico against FC Barcelona. Real Madrid claimed the league title that season with a better head-to-head record than Barcelona. His first trophy was secured.

The following season, Real claimed the title again. In the final match against Levante, Ramos scored twice and provided an assist. During that period, he mainly played as a right-back.

Captain's armband and red cards

On 24 October 2008, Real won the Supercopa de España against Valencia CF. Ramos scored and was included in both FIFA's and UEFA's Team of the Year. He finished 21st in the Ballon d'Or vote.

For the 2009/10 season, he became vice-captain behind Raúl, alongside Casillas and Guti. On 21 February 2010, he played his two hundredth match for Real Madrid.

The red card during El Clásico on 29 November 2010 created a remarkable record: he equalled Fernando Hierro's number of red cards, despite having played far fewer matches.

On 20 April 2011, Real won the Copa del Rey after extra time against FC Barcelona. That season, Real reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in seven years, where Barcelona spoiled the party.

On 12 July 2011, Ramos extended his contract until 2017. In August, Real lost the Supercopa de España to Barcelona. The Champions League ended in the semi-final after Ramos missed a penalty in the shootout against Bayern Munich.

The glory years begin

Real Madrid won the 2012 Supercopa de España thanks to more away goals against Barcelona. Ramos finished eighteenth in the FIFA Ballon d'Or vote.

On 22 December 2012, he wore the captain's armband for Real Madrid for the first time against Málaga. On 17 February 2013, he scored early against Rayo Vallecano but shortly after received two yellow cards within a minute. His sixteenth red card was a fact.

On 26 February 2013, he captained the team during El Clásico in the Copa del Rey. Days later, he scored the winning goal against Barcelona. The Champions League ended in the semi-final against Borussia Dortmund.

The Copa del Rey final on 17 May 2013 against Atlético Madrid was lost after extra time. On 14 December 2013, Ramos received his eighteenth red card, a club record, although his suspension was later overturned.

Champions League triumphs

The 2013/14 season saw Real finish third in the league, but the Copa del Rey was won by beating Barcelona in the final. The Champions League finally brought the long-awaited breakthrough.

Ramos scored twice in the semi-final against Bayern Munich. In the final against Atlético Madrid, Real were behind for a long time. In injury time, Ramos headed the equaliser. After extra time, Real won 4-1. The tenth Champions League was secured, the first international trophy for Ramos.

On 12 August 2014, Real won the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla. Later that season, Atlético Madrid claimed the Spanish Super Cup. At the Club World Cup, Ramos scored in both the semi-final against Cruz Azul and the final against San Lorenzo. He was voted best player of the tournament.

In August 2015, Ramos signed a new contract until 2020. After Casillas left for FC Porto, he became first captain. On 13 March 2016, he scored against Las Palmas, then received his twentieth red card. His twenty-first followed in El Clásico.

Real were disqualified from the Copa del Rey and finished second in the league, one point short. The Champions League final against Atlético Madrid brought revenge. Ramos opened the scoring within fifteen minutes and became the first defender to score in two Champions League finals. After extra time and a penalty shootout, Real won again.

More European success

Thanks to the Champions League victory, Real could compete in the UEFA Super Cup. Again against Sevilla, Ramos scored in injury time, forcing extra time. He became the first player to score twice in injury time of a European final and the first to score in three European finals. Real won in extra time.

In the 2016 Ballon d'Or vote, Ramos received no points. On 3 December 2016, he scored his fourth goal against Barcelona in the final minutes, earning a point. For 2017, he finished sixth in the Ballon d'Or, his best ranking ever.

Real won the Club World Cup. In extra time of the final, Kashima Antlers were beaten. On 11 February 2017, Ramos played his five hundredth match for Real Madrid during a 3-1 win over CA Osasuna.

Real Madrid won the Primera División for the 33rd time. For Ramos, it was his fourth Spanish title and the first as captain. The Champions League final against Juventus ended in victory. Ramos scored ten goals that season, reaching double figures for the first time.

On 8 August 2017, Real defended the UEFA Super Cup against Manchester United. On 20 August, Ramos received his 23rd red card at Real, his 18th in La Liga. He equalled a record, which he broke on 2 December against Athletic Bilbao.

Real won the Club World Cup for the third time. In the final against Grêmio, Ramos played the full match. For the third season running, Real reached the Champions League final. In the match against Liverpool, Ramos made a foul on Mohamed Salah, who had to leave injured. Real won 3-1.

It was the thirteenth Champions League for Real and the fourth for Ramos. For the first time since 1976, a club won the Cup with the Big Ears three years running. Ramos became the first captain since Franz Beckenbauer to win the Champions League three times with the same team.

Records and milestones

On 15 August 2018, Real played in the UEFA Super Cup for the third consecutive year. Ramos put Real ahead with a penalty against Atlético Madrid, but after extra time Real lost.

On 26 August, Ramos converted another penalty against Girona FC. Together with Lionel Messi, he became the only player to score in fifteen consecutive La Liga seasons.

Real won the Club World Cup and became the first team to claim this prize three years running. Against Al Ain, Ramos scored in the final. In the Ballon d'Or vote, he finished nineteenth.

On 9 January 2019, Ramos scored his hundredth career goal in the cup match with Leganés. The Champions League match against Ajax on 13 February was his six hundredth for Real. He was the seventh player to play that many matches for the Royals.

In that match, Ramos deliberately picked up a yellow card to be suspended for the return leg and play freely in a potential quarter-final. UEFA suspended him extra for this. However, Real were knocked out in the return leg.

On 18 December 2019, Ramos played his 43rd El Clásico, a record. On 12 January 2020, Real won the Supercopa de España on penalties against Atlético Madrid. Ramos scored the winning penalty.

On 26 February, Ramos received his 26th red card in the Champions League match with Manchester City, his fourth in that competition. He equalled the record of Zlatan Ibrahimović and Edgar Davids.

On 21 June 2020, Ramos scored the opener against Real Sociedad. His 68th goal in the Primera División broke Ronald Koeman's record as the defender with the most goals in the Spanish league.

In the final matchday against CD Leganés, Ramos scored his eleventh goal of the league season and his hundredth at club level. Real won the Spanish title for the fifth time with Ramos.

On 3 November 2020, Ramos scored his hundredth goal for Real Madrid against Internazionale. He became the 21st player to achieve this for Los Blancos.

In the second half of the season, Ramos missed many matches through injuries. Real were knocked out in the Supercopa, Copa del Rey and Champions League. In the league, Real finished second behind Atlético Madrid.

On 17 June 2021, Ramos announced his departure after 671 matches and almost 16 years at Real Madrid.

Paris and Mexico

On 8 July 2021, Ramos signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain. Due to injuries, his debut was delayed. On 28 November 2021, he finally played his first match in a 1-3 win over AS Saint-Étienne.

On 23 January 2022, he scored his first goal for the club in a 4-0 win over Stade de Reims.

In February 2025, Sergio Ramos signed for CF Monterrey. On 3 March 2025, he scored his first goal for the Mexican club in a 4-2 win over Santos Laguna. A header from a cross by Sergio Canales. Since then, he has emerged as a key player for Monterrey.

International career

Ramos made his debut for the Spanish national team in 2005. In 2010, he became world champion and in 2008 and 2012 European champion. In 2015, he became permanent captain of the national team. And n October 2019, he became Spain's record international with the most caps ever.