The poor relationship between Florentino Pérez and Sergio Ramos has become so bad that it has reached the point of no return. The trigger came on May 24, 2014 after the Champions League final, where Ramos headed in the 93rd-minute equaliser against Atlético in Lisbon to help send Madrid on their way to La Décima. After the game the president was ecstatic and made a promise: “I will improve your contract because you deserve it”. Ramos repeated his heroics at the Club World Cup against San Lorenzo and Pérez continued to insist he was well valued at the club. But when Ramos called about his renewal the president would not listen.
However, Ramos will not leave the club he has played with for the last ten seasons (58 goals in 488 games) because of money. He will leave because he and Florentino cannot put up with each other. The centre-back believes that his commitment to Madrid is beyond doubt, that he delivers in every game, that he has carried the weight of the dressing room in recent years and that he has even played through injury on occasions to help the team. But on top of how aggrieved he feels at players such as Benzema (€7.5 million/year) and Bale (€9 million/year) earning more despite meriting less, Ramos believes that Pérez, due to his behaviour in recent months, wants him out of Madrid along with, in his opinion, Casillas. He understands that the continued leaks from the club have left a bad impression of him and that has had an impact on his family. He does not want to be another Redondo, Del Bosque, Hierro or Raúl (all Madrid fans who were icons for the fans and who left the club after enduring problems with the president). The centre-back is willing to explain everything publically when the time is right.
Recent events have only acted to strengthen Ramos in his decision. For the club’s vice captain, the president’s interference in sporting matters is excessive. Ramos, as well as other players including Cristiano, defended Carlo Ancelotti just before he was sacked. The issue of medical services is also petty. Many players cannot see Dr. Olmo, brought in for the president. For the centre-back, the glass is already overflowing…