Sergio Ramos move to join former Al-Nassr star at new club breaks down; Real Madrid icon eyeing MLS switch now: Reports
Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos is reportedly considering moving to MLS after his move to Brazilian side Botafogo collapsed. Ramos is without a club after opting to leave Sevilla by mutual consent. Since then, he has been on the lookout for a new club with the expectation that he will continue his career outside Europe.
Before his move to Botafogo fell through, the Spaniard was linked with a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, where he could have reunited with former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Al-Orobah, another Saudi club, also showed interest in Ramos, but nothing materialised.
Amidst these transfer links, Botafogo showed interest in the legendary Spaniard, with talks about the move reportedly taking place. However, in a dramatic turn of events, the deal collapsed. According to Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo, the deal fell through due to Ramos' huge financial demands.
Apart from Botafogo, the Spaniard was also reportedly rejected by two other Brazilian clubs: Vasco de Gama and Flamengo. Corinthians are, however, considering opening negotiations, but the chances of a deal materialising are very slim.
Due to the limited financial ability of most South American clubs, it's unlikely that the former Real Madrid man will end up in Brazil despite the fact that his agents are still working on it.
Due to the fact that most European clubs won’t want Ramos due to his age, his most probable destination at the moment seems to be Major League Soccer in the United States. The 38-year-old defender could land at San Diego in the winter transfer window in 2025.
How Sergio Ramos fared at Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos made a career-changing switch from Sevilla to Real Madrid in August 2005 for a reported fee of €27 million.
He spent 16 seasons at the club, winning multiple titles, including four Champions League, five La Liga, two Copa del Rey, four Supercopa de Espana, three UEFA Super Cups and four FIFA Club World Cups. He's one of only two Los Blancos defenders to score 100 times for the club.
Ramos was a linchpin in Real Madrid’s defense, as his time at the club was renowned for his formidable combination with Portuguese defender Pepe. On the flip side, Sergio Ramos was infamous for his disciplinary record, as he departed Santiago Bernabeu as the player with the most red cards, having been sent off 26 times across competitions.
He was sent off in five El Clasico matches, with the last one being in 2017, where Barcelona secured a last gasp 3-2 victory at the Bernabeu.