Zinedine Zidane remains coy on Sergio Ramos’ future at Real Madrid with club captain’s contract expiring next summer and clubs in Italy and England interested in speaking to the Spain international in January
- Sergio Ramos’ contract at the Bernabeu expires next summer after he turns 35
- Clubs in Italy and England are circling with talks over a new deal moving slowly
- Zinedine Zidane praised Ramos’ conditioning but noticeably went no further
- Zidane also said before his team play Eibar that he is happy with his own contract
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane was non-committal about club captain Sergio Ramos’ future – but said he was satisfied with the terms of his own deal, which expires in 2022.
Los Blancos suffered a disastrous start to the season as they suffered embarrassing LaLiga losses at home to Cadiz and Alaves and saw their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League knockout phase go down to the wire.
However, Zidane has steadied the ship as Real defeated Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 to progress in Europe, a victory and clean sheet that fell between a 1-0 win over Sevilla and a 2-0 derby triumph over Atletico Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane stopped short of saying that club captain Sergio Ramos should get a new deal
Real Madrid’s form has improved significantly in December after a dreadful start to the season
They backed the latter success with a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao and now sit third, three points behind Atletico (although they have played a game now).
Ramos has been part of the club’s last three wins after recovering from a muscle tear sustained last month that kept him out for three weeks, but his contract expires at the end of this season and, given that he will be 35 by then, a new deal has not yet been agreed.
The Spain international has reportedly received offers from England and Italy and would be free to discuss a move abroad next month, with Ramos said to be seriously considering leaving the club he has scored 100 goals for since his debut in 2005.
Speaking before his side face Eibar on Sunday, Zidane complimented the Real stalwart for his dedication, but stopped short of expressing a wish for his skipper to extend his stay.
‘He is looking well, because he is convinced that he will continue and that is the most important thing,’ said Zidane.
‘I see him playing football for many years because he is someone who takes great care of himself.
The Real Madrid manager has said he is not pushing for improved terms on his current contract
‘If you want to continue and take care of yourself, you have a great chance of continuing for a long time and I’m not surprised by what he does.’
On his own future, Zidane said he was in no rush to request new terms, given that his current contract expires a year after Ramos’ deal does.
‘I have nothing in mind. I have a contract until 2022 and I will not ask for anything,’ he revealed. ‘I am fortunate to say that I am at the best club in the world.’
