UEFA Euro 2020: Captain Sergio Ramos dropped from Spain's squad

Sergio Ramos debuted for Spain in 2005 and has been captaining the side since 2010. This season’s domestic performance has been shaky, as he failed to lead Real Madrid to any title glory this term, having finished second in the La Liga table.

Spanish national football skipper Sergio Ramos was left out of the squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2020. However, the drop is not precisely tactical, as Ramos has been highly injury-prone this season, having played just 21 games for Real Madrid, scoring four goals across competitions.

“I’ve not included Ramos because he’s not been able to play much this season, especially since January he’s not been fit enough, and at times not even training with the group at his club. It wasn’t easy, but I called him last night and we had a difficult and tough conversation. I feel bad as he’s a player who has always been at the top level and has a future with the national team. It’s a decision that I’ve taken for the good of the national team and the group as a whole,” said Spanish head coach Luis Enrique while announcing the squad to the media.

Ramos made his debut for Spain in 2005 and first led the side in 2010. To date, the 35-year-old centre-back has featured in 180 matches and scored 23 goals, while he has also won three titles that include a FIFA World Cup and twin UEFA Euros.

“I have fought and worked every day, in body and soul, to be able to reach 100% for Real Madrid and the national team, but things don’t always work out the way we’d like. It pains me not to have been able to help my team more and not to play for Spain, but, in this case, the best thing to do is rest, fully recover and come back next year like we’ve always done. It hurts not to represent your country, but I have to be honest and sincere,” he wrote on Twitter.

“I wish all my teammates the very best of luck and I hope we have a great Euros. I’ll be another fan cheering on from home. A big shout to everyone and #VivaEspaña and #HalaMadrid always!” he added.

It was the first time Ramos was axed from the Spanish squad for a major international competition, while Enrique defended it, stating that it was done in the team’s best interest. “I don’t play these kind of games when I do the squad and I don’t try to please anybody. I understand that everybody wants players from their club in the squad, except when they need to rest if they’re playing many games or whatever,” he concluded. Meanwhile, it is unclear as of now who would lead Spain during the tournament.

Spain's Euro 2020 squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David de Gea, Robert Sanchez
Defenders: Pau Torres, Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte, Diego Llorente, Jordi Alba, Jose Luis Gaya, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Llorente
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo, Thiago Alcantara, Pedri, Koke, Fabian Ruiz
Forwards: Gerard Moreno, Ferran Torres, Adam Traore, Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Pablo Sarabia

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