Biography of Sergio Ramos: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Sergio Ramos is considered one of the best defenders in football history. As the long-time captain of Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, he has enjoyed tremendous success over his illustrious career.
This article will provide a comprehensive overview of Ramos’ life and career, including details on his net worth, age, records, family, achievements and relationships.
Early Life and Background
Sergio Ramos was born on March 30, 1986 in Camas, Spain to José María Ramos and Paqui García. His father worked as a warehouse manager and his mother was a hairdresser.
Ramos grew up alongside his brother and sister in a modest upbringing. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in football and joined his first club at age 8.
By his teens, Ramos had joined the youth academy of Sevilla FC, one of Spain’s top clubs. There he honed his skills as a central defender, showcasing his strength, aerial ability and leadership qualities.
In 2004, at age 18, Ramos made his La Liga debut for Sevilla’s senior team. That same year he represented Spain at the UEFA Under-19 Championship, where La Rojita emerged as champions.
Breakthrough at Sevilla
Over the next two seasons at Sevilla, Ramos developed into one of Europe’s most promising young defenders. He became a regular starter in central defense alongside Javi Navarro. Known for his passing range and surging runs forward, Ramos also contributed goals for his club.
He helped lead Sevilla to back-to-back UEFA Cup titles in 2006 and 2007. His stellar play caught the eye of Europe’s biggest clubs, most notably Real Madrid.
In 2005, Ramos received his first senior call-up to the Spanish national team. He was a member of the squad that won gold at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. His senior team debut followed shortly after in March 2005, in a friendly match against China.
Record Transfer to Real Madrid
In the summer of 2005, Real Madrid triggered Ramos’ €27 million release clause to acquire him, a record for a Spanish defender. At just 19, he was viewed as the long-term replacement to Madrid’s aging central defense of Fernando Hierro and Ivan Helguera.
Ramos was immediately thrust into the starting lineup by manager Fabio Capello during his first season at the club. Forming an effective partnership with Cannavaro, Ramos won La Liga title in 2007 and 2008 with Los Blancos. His tactical awareness, aggression and leadership made him a quick fan favorite at the Santiago Bernabéu.
In 2008, Ramos shifted to right back following the retirement of defensive stalwart Míchel Salgado. While not his natural position, Ramos adapted impressively to the new role.
His combination of defensive steel and attacking thrust made him the prototypical modern fullback. He cemented his status as one of the world’s best defenders with standout displays during Spain’s UEFA Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup triumphs.
Era of Success Under Mourinho
The arrival of Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid manager in 2010 marked the onset of the club’s most successful period in La Liga. With Ramos starring as a defensive leader, Los Blancos captured the 2011-12 league title, ending Barcelona’s three-year grip on the trophy.
Ramos was especially critical in iconic matches against rival Barcelona. His towering header in the 2014 Champions League final sent the match to extra time.
Real went on to defeat crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 to secure La Decima, their 10th European crown. Ramos was also front and center during other Champions League triumphs in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
In 2015, Ramos succeeded Iker Casillas as Real Madrid’s captain. Under his leadership, Real Madrid continued its run of dominance by winning three straight Champions League titles. Ramos cemented his legendary status for the club as the ultimate captain and winner.
Table of Major Honors
| Competition | Number of Titles | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 5 | 2007, 2008, 2012, 2017, 2020 |
| Copa del Rey | 2 | 2011, 2014 |
| Supercopa | 4 | 2008, 2012, 2017, 2019/20 |
| Champions League | 4 | 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| Super Cup | 3 | 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| Club World Cup | 4 | 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
Table summarizing Ramos’ major titles won with Real Madrid
Net Worth, Endorsements and Legal Disputes
As of 2023, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Sergio Ramos has a net worth of approximately $70 million. As one of football’s highest earners throughout his career, he has commanded salary and bonuses of over $15 million in recent seasons with Real Madrid.
Ramos also has a wide portfolio of lucrative endorsement deals. He has been sponsored by brands like Nike, Pepsi, Audi, Hugo Boss and more. He launched his own line of fragrances called SR by Sergio Ramos in partnership with Europa Cosmetics.
In 2022, Ramos made headlines over a legal dispute involving image rights. He sued his former agent for €5 million over alleged deception regarding a contract breach with Nike. Ramos switched representation to a new agency, leading to fallout with his former agent. The case was eventually settled out of court later that year.
PSG Sojourn and Retirement
After 16 seasons with Real Madrid, Ramos left the club following expiration of his contract in 2021. At age 35 but still playing at a high level, he joined Paris Saint-Germain in France on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract. However persistent injuries to his knee and calf limited his availability for PSG.
In 2023 at age 37, after a series of setbacks in recovery and rehabilitation from injury, Ramos announced his retirement from professional football. His two seasons at PSG yielded just 13 total appearances across all competitions. It was an unfortunate end to an otherwise legendary career. Ramos retired as one of the most successful defenders of his generation.
International Career with Spain
Ever since earning his first senior cap in 2005, Ramos remained a stalwart for the Spanish national team. Forming a legendary center back partnership with Carles Puyol, Ramos starred for La Roja as the country embarked on an unprecedented run of three straight major tournament titles:
- 2008 Euros
- 2010 World Cup
- 2012 Euros
He served as captain for Spain following the international retirement of Casillas in 2016. Ramos played a key role as Spain bounced back to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. However, he was left off Luis Enrique’s squad for the 2022 World Cup at age 36.
Ramos retired from international duty in March 2023, shortly after announcing the end of his club career. He earned 180 caps for Spain, making him the country’s most-capped player ever. His 23 goals are also a record for a European defender.
Table of International Accolades
| Tournament | Best Result | Years |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup | Champions (2010) | 2010 |
| UEFA European Championship | Champions (2008, 2012) | 2008, 2012 |
| FIFA Confederations Cup | Third Place (2009, 2013) | 2009, 2013 |
Table outlining Ramos’ achievements with the Spanish national team
Personal Life and Relationships
Ramos has been married to Spanish reporter and TV personality Pilar Rubio since June 2019. Ramos first met Rubio in 2012 through mutual friends. After years of dating, Ramos proposed in 2018 by making a romantic display during a trip to Rome. Their star-studded Seville wedding was attended by personalities like David Beckham, Guti and Nadal.
Ramos and Rubio have four sons together – Sergio (2014), Marco (2015), Alejandro (2018) and Maximo Adriano (2020). By all accounts, they have a happy and stable marriage and family life outside of football. The stylish couple is frequently photographed on European red carpets and family vacations.
Charity Work and Causes
Ramos has been actively involved in philanthropy work over his career. He served as a UNICEF ambassador from 2011 to 2017. Inspired by his own personal hardships, Ramos has advocated for at-risk children and impoverished families. He participated in numerous campaigns providing aid to children afflicted by war, disease and trauma in places like Syria and Mali.
Conclusion
Sergio Ramos leaves behind an exceptional legacy as one of football’s greatest defenders. With his combination of leadership, toughness and skills, Ramos was the ultimate competitor for both club and country. His trophy case speaks for itself – 5 La Liga titles, 4 Champions Leagues and a World Cup winner’s medal.
Ramos will forever be identified with Real Madrid, the club he captained for over a decade and helped restore as the dominant force in Europe. His late career stint with PSG did not go as planned, unfortunately ending with a retirement forced by persistent injuries.
Beyond the field, Ramos cuts an iconic figure with his signature top knot hairstyle and sleeve tattoos. His marriage to TV personality Pilar Rubio only enhanced his celebrity status in Spain. While mostly known for his steely mentality, Ramos also showed a socially conscious side through extensive charity initiatives.
As Ramos hangs up his boots and transitions to retirement, he leaves a lasting imprint as a transformational player that embodied both style and substance. No defender better personified the athleticism, determination and win-at-all-costs competitiveness of modern football. Generations to come will measure great defenders against the incredible standard set by Sergio Ramos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sergio Ramos spent most of his career playing as a center back. However, during portions of his prime years at Real Madrid, he was deployed as a right back. Ramos excelled in both defensive positions thanks to his physicality, tackling and aerial dominance.
How many trophies did Ramos win with Real Madrid?
With Real Madrid, Ramos won a staggering 22 titles, including 5 La Liga crowns, 4 UEFA Champions League titles and 2 Copa del Rey trophies. This marks one of the most decorated careers in Real Madrid history.
Why did Ramos leave Real Madrid?
After 16 seasons with Los Blancos, Ramos became a free agent in 2021 when his contract expired. He ended up signing with Paris Saint-Germain at age 35 over offers to stay in Madrid. His PSG stint proved disappointing, plagued by injuries that led to his retirement just two seasons later.
Is Sergio Ramos the most capped European player ever?
Yes, with 180 appearances for the Spanish national team, Ramos holds the record as Europe’s most capped male player ever. He also holds the Spanish mark for most international goals by a defender (23).
What number did Sergio Ramos wear and why?
Early on, Ramos wore #15 and #4. When Fernando Hierro retired in 2005, Ramos took over the iconic #4 shirt in tribute to the Spanish legend who also played center back. At Real Madrid and Spain, Ramos would make the #4 synonymous with his hard-nosed style of defending.
