Sergio Ramos is one of the most recognisable defenders in world football. He’s a cult figure, a leader both on and off the pitch for Real Madrid and has the kind of following that could rival global superstars in Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
And he’s always in the news – good or bad – for his contributions to his club with his manager, Zinedine Zidane, also claiming that he’s the most emblematic Spanish professional footballer today. That's a big praise who shares the national team dressing room with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Diego Costa and more.
But there's so much more that meets the eye when it comes to the 30-year-old. Here are four facts you might not have known about Sergio Ramos:
#1 Record-breaking youngster
When Sergio Ramos rose to fame with his first full season with Sevilla, he was catching the attention of multiple clubs around the world. And towards the end of the 2004-2005 season, he was given the chance to represent his national side Spain.
He made his debut for Spain in March of 2005 against China in a routine 3-0 win. At the time, he was 18 years and 361 days old making him the youngest ever player to represent La Roja for 55 years. Ramos has since lost that record to Cesc Fabregas but his inclusion into the squad was a win for a host of talented young footballers in Spain.
Ramos was even awarded the La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year for the year 2005 for his performances for Sevilla and for Real Madrid for the 2005-2006 season.
#2 Loves the red card
Sergio Ramos holds the record for being the player to be sent off the most number of times in the history of Real Madrid. The 30-year-old has, in fact, till date been shown the red card 21 times with the most recent one being in the El Clasico last year.
Ramos’ physicality in games gets the better of him on many occasions but what has let him down the most in the past is his decision making in vital moments of games. Having just returned from a red card against Barcelona last season, he slid into Luis Suarez late into the game and saw red once again.
But this hasn’t stopped the Real Madrid talisman from remaining true to his nature even when the going gets tough. Ramos’ playing style might get him sent off occasionally but it also helps Real Madrid win a majority of their games – the latest example being their 40-match winning streak; the longest ever by a Spanish club.
#3 Could’ve become a bullfighter instead of a footballer
Sergio Ramos has in the past vividly described his love for bullfighting. Having been born in the province of Seville, it’s no surprise he was interested in the sport the locals were world famous for.
And he could’ve kept the tradition of his towns alive by getting into the sport but chose football instead because his mother was afraid of the consequences of taking on a raging bull for the pleasure of others.
“When you're young, it is important to have dreams," he told AS. "I always wanted to be either a bullfighter or footballer but my mother was a little scared of me becoming a bullfighter. So I opted for football which was less dangerous."
#4 He loves flamenco and is an accomplished guitarist
Sergio Ramos will go down as one of the most successful defenders Real Madrid and Spain have seen but the 30-year-old excels in various off-field interests as well. The Andalusian man has often described his love for flamenco dancing and playing the guitar.
In an interview with FourFourTwo, he admitted that he’s the romantic one in the family – when compared to his siblings and extended family. When asked about it, he said, "I consider myself to be the most romantic of my brothers. We've always found it difficult to express it to the outside world, and the family; I think they know it, but above all I think it's the most important thing, along with happiness, which has to come above all else."
Ramos even once surprised his then-girlfriend Pilar Rubio on the sets of El Hormiguero – a television show in Spain – with the guitar and a song. Ramos loves flamenco so much that he’s even played professionals Nina Pastori and Canelita.
In football, Ramos is reportedly the team DJ often carrying a case of CDs for the whole of the squad to listen to when travelling and partaking in other activities.
