The possibility of Sergio Ramos returning to Real Madrid has created a buzz amongst both Madrid and football fans. A return would see the Spaniard have a few more games in the white of Madrid where he enjoyed immense success, the highlight being a 4 times Champions League winner.
With injury concerns at the back, there’s a pressing need for a defender and some sources and analysts believe Ramos, a free agent, could be an ideal stopgap solution.
However, standing in the way is not just a question of fitness but a history of tension with club president Florentino Perez—a feud that casts doubt over whether the Madrid legend could make a homecoming at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have had significant on-field issues that seems to have left them a step behind rivals Barcelona who sit top of La Liga. Madrid have had significant injuries across the pitch, with Eder Militao being the latest addition.
The Brazilian centre back suffered a ruptured ACL and is set to undergo surgery in the coming days. The complete tear in the right knee ACL accompanied with damage to both menisci mean that he’ll be sidelined for the rest of the season.
His absence, coupled with injuries to Alaba, Carvajal, and Vázquez, has left Madrid scrambling for defensive options, heightening the urgency for reinforcements.
In the wake of Militao’s injuries, the Sergio Ramos rumors grew stronger when the defender posted a video of himself doing some fitness training. Coupled with some medieval music in the background, Ramos can be seen sprinting through a field in the video posted online.
As usual he appeared to be in excellent physical shape, hinting that he’s prepared for a return to top-flight football.
But the biggest challenge that both parties will have to overcome for this signing to go through is resolving the feud between Ramos and President Florentino Perez.
Ramos’ split from Real Madrid in 2021 followed a tense standoff with Perez over contract negotiations. After 16 seasons, Ramos was offered only a one-year extension, which he found insulting given his contributions to the club.
The rift reportedly dates back further, to a Champions League dressing-room bust-up in 2019. Following Madrid’s exit at the hands of Ajax, Ramos criticized the club’s poor planning, which led Perez to threaten him.
While different sources have different statements, Ramos reportedly responded by saying, “Perfect. You pay me, and I’ll go.” The fallout from this encounter lingered until his departure, souring a relationship that had once seen Ramos become one of Perez’s finest signings.
Ramos’ return to the Bernabeu with Sevilla last month underscored the divide. Unlike other legends, he received no official acknowledgment from Real Madrid, and his reception from fans was muted.
While this remains one aspect that casts doubts over Ramos’ return, reports furter claim that club management have serious doubts about the 38-year-old’s current fitness as he has not played a professional game since leaving Sevilla at the end of the 2023-24 season.
As a result, the Spanish champions see this move as ‘impossible’ and will wait for January to make a new signing instead of bringing in a free agent at the moment.
In purely sporting terms, Ramos’ presence would be an asset to Real Madrid at least as a stopgap solution. Known for his leadership and strong mentality he could impart vital experience to younger players, much as he did during his captaincy. Ramos could bring both stability on the pitch and guidance in the dressing room.
For comparison, Barcelona recently acquired Wojciech Szczesny as a free agent following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury, a stopgap solution that echoes the possibility of Ramos returning to Madrid.
Fans of the club also seem to have differing views about the possible return of club legend Sergio Ramos to the club. Some feel that Ramos would be a perfect stopgap solution and resolve issues at the club while others believe that bringing Ramos in ruins the perfect opportunity to develop youngsters and give them gametime- like Barca did with Lamine Yamal and co.
Ramos’ potential return to Real Madrid is a captivating idea. He will undeniably give 110% for the badge if signed but his fractured relationship with Florentino Perez would require mending first.
The yearning among some fans for a fairytale comeback may have to remain a dream as Madrid charts a course for the future.
