Ramos' tearful goodbye: 'Madrid's offer expired & a resounding no to Barça'

Ramos' tearful goodbye: 'Madrid's offer expired & a resounding no to Barça'

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The defender is leaving the Bernabeu after 16 years as his contract expires

It took just a few seconds for Sergio Ramos to break down in tears in front of his wife, four children and family members as he bid farewell to Real Madrid on Thursday.

Ramos will leave Madrid when his contract ends this month and the club held a goodbye event for the captain.

"The moment has arrived, one of the most difficult moments in my life, to say goodbye to Real Madrid," said Ramos, choking up.

"I arrived with my parents, a kid aged 19 and now I have a wonderful family of my own. I want to thank my family, who have been there in the good times and the bad."

As the tears came, Ramos struggled to continue. It's not been easy for him to say goodbye to Madrid or for Madrid to say goodbye to him.

But president Florentino Perez now knows what it is to end the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ramos, two symbols of Madridismo.

Ramos leaves after 22 trophies, 671 games and 16 years in the Spanish capital.

The centre-back continued: "I want to thank the club, the president and my teammates for all the affection they have given me. For me, you're like family. It's inevitable to get emotional, I've been here for a lot of years.

"I would have liked to say goodbye at the Bernabeu with fans. Thanks to Madrid, who will always be in my heart. An era ends but it's not goodbye, it's see you later, because sooner or later I will be back."

Later, Ramos spoke to the media, taking questions about his departure and explaining why he was leaving the club.

He said he had been offered a one-year deal but wanted two years. When he later tried to accept the one-year deal, he was told the deadline had expired.

"I never wanted to leave Real Madrid, I always wanted to stay here," Ramos said. "In the last few months, the club made me an offer of one year, with a pay cut. I want to highlight that money has never been a problem, the president knows that.

"It wasn't a financial problem. They offered me one year, I wanted two. I wanted calm and continuity for my family ... In the latest conversations, I accepted the offer with a pay cut, and I was told there was no longer an offer. I was told that despite having given the OK to the proposal, it had an expiry date and I didn't realise ... It surprised me."

Ramos said he doesn't know who his next club will be but ruled out Sevilla and Barça.

"Sevilla is the other club of my heart, but right now I'm not considering that option and Sevilla aren't considering it either," he added.

"As for Barca, it's a resounding no. It's impossible to see Ramos in a Barca shirt."

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