On social networks, the return of Sergio Ramos to Sevilla was rather welcomed. A good story a priori, since the emblematic captain of Sevilla returns home almost 20 years after his departure from Real Madrid, for a ridiculous salary compared to what the Turkish and Saudi clubs interested in his services offered him. The principal concerned explained that he had chosen to return to the south of Spain because he believed “have a debt” towards his father, grandfather and Sevilla supporters in general. The choice of the heart then.
But behind this beautiful story, there are some who cringe. And they are many. In Spain, and particularly in Seville, this return of Sergio Ramos is not only happy. Beyond purely sporting considerations – was it necessary, for example, to bring back a 37-year-old player when the team has other shortcomings elsewhere? – this transfer first creates damage internally. Indeed, Victor Orta, the Sevillian sporting director, did not want the player. “In our current squad model, there is no possibility of Sergio Ramos arriving”, he had for example launched in mid-August. Questioned on this subject throughout the summer, he closed the door each time.
They don’t all want Ramos
What changed ? As the Andalusian media explain, José María del Nido Benavente, former president of the club and main shareholder, pushed hard and put pressure on Victor Orta to recruit the player. Which will create a stir internally… His son and vice-president of the club, José María del Nido Carrasco, said a little more. “We had decided to return to the previous model, to recruit unknown, young players who could generate added value and rejuvenate the team. I was the first to say no for Ramos. But everything changed because of the defeats and the physical condition of some players, which generated doubts., he justified. The two men obviously have no grudge against the player, whose departure had greatly displeased at the time. Del Nido father, president in 2005, had thus made rather harsh remarks against the player.
If the management forgot and gave up on this departure to Madrid, this is not the case for many supporters. In addition to this tumultuous departure, there were other episodes that added fuel to the fire, such as this goal scored on panenka in 2017 during a Sevilla-Real Madrid. Sergio Ramos, copiously insulted and whistled during the meeting, had responded, to celebrate his goal, by making provocative gestures towards the public and more particularly the Biris, the ultra group of his old and new club. The latter have also published a very harsh statement about the player’s return on Tuesday. “Thinking about this transfer was already a disrespect to the values that made us a great club, to the symbols and legends who defended our crest, and to the thousands of Sevillistas who suffered the contempt of this player in the past. This transfer mainly benefits the interests of a management that does not understand what makes Sevilla FC great and only looks at its personal and/or financial interests., thus indicates the press release, which nevertheless specifies that there will be no demonstration against the player, who will not a priori be whistled or insulted. But we can say that behind this beautiful story, there is also a big gray area…
