It is evidence that Ramos is not still at Real Madrid because there has been no agreement either in the years that the center-back wanted to sign or in the amount he aspired to receive. But it is also a reality that this it is the latest episode of a relationship that had deteriorated due to various events in the past in which the environment of Ramos put a lot of pressure in other negotiations or, simply, in which captain and president collided.
Ramos is that kind of captain who doesn't mince words. It was clear when he did not hesitate to comment on a possible return of Mourinho: “We have been without him for five years and we have won a lot in these years …”, he said when the bells sounded of a possible return of the Portuguese coach. “Respect is earned, it is not imposed …”, He did not hesitate to point out when the one who rang was Conte and his heavy hand. Both statements questioned Florentino's approaches.
But beyond those details and the recent anger in the club because Ramos put pressure so that there would not be a joint salary cut of 10%, In recent times the relationship between Florentino and Ramos (and between his brother and manager, René), has been one of love and hate. These are the three most talked about episodes in detail.
Disencounter in 2015.
Summer 2015. René Ramos took advantage of an offer from Manchester United to force the renewal of the captain that was brewing. The news went around the world: United, in the middle of the investment process, with Van Gaal as coach (and to make forget the Ferguson era), gave Ramos 55 million euros net in five seasons. They paid at the price of gold to fill the void left by Vidic and Ferdinand. Ramos was then 29 years old and a large part of his career ahead of him. That ordeal did not sit well with Florentino, especially because it coincided with the traumatic departure of the Casillas entity. He couldn't stop the squad in one fell swoop without his two captains. He had to access and Ramos went on to collect 12 million euros net.
In the locker room after Ajax.
It was after the elimination of the Champions League at the hands of Ajax. Florentino went down to the locker room to recriminate what happened to the squad and, once again, Ramos came out in defense of the players facing the president: “The planning has been a shame,” he told him. “I miss you,” Florentino said. “Perfect, you pay”, the defender settled … That season was especially difficult for Real Madrid, because it was the first after the departure of Cristiano for 100 million euros to Juve. After his departure, Madrid signed Vinicius (45), Courtois (35), Odriozola (35), Brahim (17) and above all, to replace the goal that went with the Portuguese, Mariano (22). Ramos didn't think it was enough.
The offer from China.
It was the last clash between the two. In the summer of 2019, with a contract until 2021 and a clause of 800 million euros, the great captain requested a meeting with José Ángel Sánchez and Florentino to try to leave with the freedom letter. It was a few months after the fight in the locker room for the elimination against Ajax. Then it was Florentino who gave his version: “They came to see me at my office. They told me that if I could leave but without paying because transfers in Chinese football are very complicated. I told him that he could not leave and that we would talk to the Chinese club. It is impossible that he can let his captain go for free, because it is a terrible precedent. “ And he revealed that he was the one who earned the most in Madrid. The atmosphere became so against the captain that he was forced to give a press conference: “I want to retire at Madrid, I would play for free here.” But the reality is that, finally, he leaves due to the lack of an economic agreement.