Real Madrid have been drawn against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Round of 16, which means that Sergio Ramos will face the team that he captained last year, but admitted he will give his all for the Ligue 1 side.
The Spanish centre-back claimed that he would rather play against another team in the knockouts, but stressed that he is fully focused on helping PSG go through to the next round.
“When I arrived on the plane it was [Manchester] United [who PSG got in the draw], who are a team that I liked and then it turns out that it wasn’t valid,” Ramos told the press.
“I would have preferred not to have that duel [against Real Madrid] but returning to the [Estadio Santiago] Bernabeu is cause for joy. I wasn’t able to bid farewell because of COVID-19.
“Fate is capricious. I would have liked another team to face us [PSG]. You know the affection and love I have for Real Madrid.
“Now it’s my turn to defend PSG and I’ll do everything possible to [help them] go through. They are the team that took a gamble on me. I’m going to fight to the death for PSG.”
Injuries have taken their toll on Ramos, as the 35-year-old centre-back has played just one game for PSG so far this season. The Spaniard revealed that he struggled to adapt to life in Paris, but has already integrated in the dressing room.
“I was excited to get back to winning,” Ramos noted.
“It cost me to adapt abroad, to find a house for my family. In the dressing room everything has been easier. [PSG president] Nasser [Al-Khelaifi], [sporing director] Leonardo and [Mauricio] Pochettino have made it very simple for me.
“The squad is a group made up of real stars and it’s essential to get along well and that’s the way it is. They have welcomed me with open arms.
“It has been hard, different from what I have experienced in my career. I have always avoided injuries.
“The important thing is to feel like a player again. [There were] many hours of darkness, loneliness, but it has helped me to overcome challenges.
“It’s helped me to know who were really there and who were not. Ramos will be around for a while. The family has already adapted well. I’m smiling again, [and want] to compete again.”
Ramos went on to discuss about his former team and didn’t hesitate to praise Real Madrid’s defence and Vinicius Junior’s improvement.
“Vinicius was promising, but now he is already a reality,” Ramos added.
“I am happy because I have had talks with him. I don’t know if he will be able to play with [Kylian] Mbappe, but nobody knows what will happen.
“Real Madrid are doing very well. On a defensive level too. It’s good to have an advantage [in LaLiga Santander] for what may happen.” (Marca)
