Sergio Ramos has made his Paris Saint-Germain debut after four months on the sidelines with a knee ligament injury that almost looked like it would end his career at just 35 years old.
Speaking in an interview with Amazon Prime Sport before his debut, Ramos claimed he can “continue to play for four or five years” as he believes his physicality is back to what it once was.
Sergio Ramos moved to PSG on a free transfer in July 2021 after a stellar 16-year career at Real Madrid, where he was the captain for seven of those years.
He joined the Parisiens injured, however, and struggled with the injury for four whole months. He was given the medical green light last week and made his debut on the squad list in PSG’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the 2021/22 Champions League matchday 5.
He finally got to start in a dream centre-back pairing with PSG captain Marquinhos as PSG battled from a goal down to snatch the victory away to Saint-Etienne at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. He played like he never left; riling up opposition players and putting his body on the line to make tackles.
PSG fans and fans of the Real Madrid legend will be happy to see Ramos, whose career was in doubt due to the injury relapses he kept suffering, back on the field.
Now, according to the four-time UEFA Champions League winner in his interview with Amazon Prime Sport, it’s only a matter of his mental strength that will keep him playing for four or five more years.
Sergio Ramos wants to pay back PSG’s trust in him
PSG took a huge gamble by signing an injured Sergio Ramos. However, when one of the best defenders in the world in the last 10 seasons becomes available on a free, it’ll be either foolish or very brave of clubs who want to compete for the biggest titles to look the other way.
Ramos recognises the risk PSG took in signing him and wants to pay the trust back. “I think I can continue playing for four or five years,” Ramos said in his interview.
“The most important thing is that my head holds. I hope I don’t have any more physical problems.”
Ramos also admitted to battling negative thoughts during his lengthy injury layoff. “At the end are difficult moments, moments of loneliness,” the World Cup winner said.
“Whole hours in the gym with the physiotherapist, with the physical trainer. You constantly have negative thoughts that sometimes make you doubt.
“I believed in myself and in work,” he continued. “I focus on giving the club back the trust it has placed in me. I hope to reach my best level.
Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos admit to weirdness in PSG dressing room
Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos were rivals in the biggest club football match in the world for more than 10 years. Their rivalry was heated and both almost came to blows a few times especially during Messi’s time as Barcelona captain.
Fans were surprised that both men would play for the same club, and both men have also admitted that there’s a sort of weirdness sharing a dressing room with each other after being the faces of the El Clasico rivalry for such a long time.
Now that Ramos is fit, fans will need a period of adjustment to the sight of the two former captains of Barcelona and Real Madrid playing for the same club in a competitive match and fighting for the same objectives.