Valdano Lauds Ramos

By Nigel Philips

Former Real Madrid sporting director, Jorge Valdano, has praised Sergio Ramos’ leadership qualities, labeling the Spaniard as the bravest and most commanding of La Roja.

Ramos joined the Bernabeu outfit from Sevilla in 2005 and has since become a pillar at the rear, winning four Champions League trophies, four La Liga titles and other major and minor titles.

That is even aside the many moments that the player has stepped up to the plate at difficult times to rescue the European Champions on both the domestic and international fronts.

Valdano, a former Argentine international and author, assessed the Real Madrid skipper in his latest publication in El Pais and said the latter was the fulcrum on which Real Madrid turns.

"Sergio Ramos enters the dressing room as if Real Madrid belonged to him and onto the field as if he invented football," Valdano said in El Pais.

"When the other players hide, he challenges the world with a Panenka penalty."