Changing of the Guard at Real Madrid

This summer transfer window for Madrid has been an eventful one, to say the least. Following the news earlier this month, that club-captain, Sergio Ramos, had departed Real Madrid for PSG after 16 years of service for Los Blancos (The Whites), his centre-back partner, Raphaël Varane, now looks set to join Manchester United for a fee of around £41 million. Time will tell whether the decision to let both go was a calamitous error, or shrewd business for two defensadores (defenders) past their peak; Ramos aged 35 and Varane having question marks over his ability. Regardless of their standing now, replacing two world-cup-winning players, who have over 700 appearances between them for Real Madrid, will be no quick-fix for Carlo Ancelotti on his return to the Spanish capital. Let's look back on the serial success of Ramos and Varane, the controversial end and the uncertainty that they are leaving behind at Madrid.

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The Early Days

Prior to Varane's llegada (arrival), ahead of the 2011/12 season, Ramos had spent six years at the Bernabéu by that point. During that time, he had won La Liga twice, the Copa del Rey once and the Supercopa once. His early days were hallmarked for the Andalusian by playing right-back, where he first found his knack for scoring goals. A trait he reflected on: "The main job of a defender is to protect the goal, not to score as that's obviously the job of players further up the pitch. First, keep a clean sheet, then if I can help out with goals then that's even better and makes you a different player." After proving his leadership at the back in his first few seasons, Ramos was named as one of the backup captains before the 2009/10 temporada (season). With Ramos beginning to mature into the world-class centre-back he is known as today, a young Varane signed to join a team on the cusp of greatness.

Source: goal.com

It took time for Varane to settle in his new surroundings, as he slowly began to get entrusted with more responsibility and game time. This bedding-in proccess allowed Varane to adjust. Also, with players like Ramos, Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho to oversee his development- he was soon to show his ability to be the long-term option at defensa central (centre-back). Together, Ramos and Varane were La Liga winners in 2011/12 for Los Blancos, but it would be two seasons after that when the two became immortalised for their role in the Real Madrid squad. Due to this, the 2013/14 season was one to remember for everyone associated with Madrid.

Source: realmadrid.com

The Golden Years

The last time Real Madrid had won the UCL before 2014 was in 2002, when they beat Bayer Leverkusen to win their ninth title. In the years that followed, Real Madrid became obsessed with winning la décima (the tenth). The galácticos could not achieve this when they arrived in the years that followed their UCL triumph over Leverkusen. As years passed, the expectation mounted and there soon became a feeling that the club had a mental block that it could not overcome. That was until 2013/14 when their UCL run saw them reach the final, where they faced their city-rivals, Atlético de Madrid in Lisbon. A night that changed everything for los madrileños (the people of Madrid). Varane, then aged 21, started the game with Ramos as they embarked on the most important match of their career. In this cagey affair, Atléti scored in the 36' minute with Godín and they looked set to spoil Real Madrid's dream. That was until the 93' minute when Sergio Ramos rose high in the box to header home an equaliser. Su salvador (Their saviour). In the extra-time that followed, Real Madrid scored another three goals to win 4-1 on the night and secure the illusive décima. It was the beginning of the club's most-successful period in modern history, and it established Ramos and Varane as the go-to centre-back pairing.

Here is Sergio reminiscing on his goal against Atléti in the UCL final, what he describes as the most meaningful in his time at Real:

In 2015, following the departure of former club-captain and Madrid legend, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos was chosen to replace him as captain. The number four relished the opportunity and led by example, as he had done so well in the years before. His leadership was desperately needed midway through the 2015/16 season, when Real Madrid parted ways with manager Rafa Benítez, opting to appoint club-legend, Zinedine Zidane. During that season, Madrid reached another UCL final, against Atléti once again. In regular time, Ramos scored in his second consecutive final and the club went onto win their eleventh title on penalties. However, this time Varane did not feature in the final, but was clave (key) in the early stages of the tournament. In the following season, the Frenchman returned to the starting lineup for Real Madrid's UCL final against Juventus. Together, Ramos and Varane oversaw a 4-1 win; their third UCL title. Complete dominance for Real Madrid was achieved in the 2017/18 season. They beat Liverpool 3-1 to win their third consecutive UCL title; the first club to do so on two separate occasions. Ramos and Varane were history-makers and heroes to the Madrid fans.

Source: talksport.com

The Years that Followed

After the years that brought Real Madrid dizzying success and heights that were not thought to be possible to reach, the inevitable decline came, epitomised with Cristiano Ronaldo switching Madrid for Turin, with a move to Juventus in 2018. Despite winning the 2019/20 La Liga title, Real Madrid were soon seen as past their peak, with Ramos and Varane soon being made into chivos expiatorios (scapegoats). From heroes to near villains, this recent season signalled the beginning of the end for the two. Ramos suffered a knee injury in January and Varane had to adjust to Madrid's defensive injuries that plighted the side, as Atléti won La Liga. The club's hierarchy, led by Florentino Pérez, decided to oversee the changing of the guard for Real's defence by bringing in David Alaba from Bayern Munich. However, the way that they dealt with Ramos' departure has left for many critics of the Madrid regime.

Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

The controversy came after Ramos tried to negotiate a contract renewal some months ago, with his desire to remain at Real beyond this summer. Ramos wanted two years, the club offered him one year on a reduced salary, which he reluctantly agreed to after some time. However, by the time that he had decided to accept the one year option, the club said that the offer had expired. Ramos explains: “They never communicated to me that the offer had an expiry date. That really surprised me. I thought the offer, or proposal or chat, was on the table. Maybe I misunderstood it.” This lackluster approach to the club-captain made Ramos available on a free, PSG soon confirmed a two-year deal for the defender. His centre-back partner, Varane, took to social media to wish his friend good luck: "Living legend and a generational captain full of trophies. I have learned a lot and I have really enjoyed forming a complementary duo. Congratulations on all these years at Madrid, defending your team in an exemplary way and also scoring many goals! Respect!"

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Now, it seems that Varane will be following his captain one final time, with his own transfer looking close to completion. Manchester Untied have been long-term admirers of Varane and now look to buy him on the cheap, a cool £41 million is all that Real have asked for their defender who has won everything in his career and has years left in him. This all begs the question: why are Madrid letting him go? The logical response is to suggest it is a way of Real getting money into the club as quickly as possible, following a hemorrhage of losses in the pandemic. If Varane is to go, they are left with Alaba, Nacho and Militão for their centre-back options, albeit those with regular first-team experience. 33 year-old Marcelo is the new captain of Real, which makes him the club's first foreign captain since 1904. As for Ramos and Varane, there will be no question over their impact on the club or their standing as leyendas (legends) of Real Madrid. The situation that they leave Real Madrid in suggests that moving on is for the better, Ancelotti will have to rebuild his team without Ramos' leadership and Varane's ability. He'll be hoping that their departure was well justified come the end of May.

Source: sportsmag360.com