Sergio Ramos García (born 30 March 1986 in Camas, Seville) more commonly known as Sergio Ramos, is a Spanish international footballer, who usually plays as a defender for Real Madrid. Ramos is a graduate of the Sevilla FC youth system and is regarded as one of the world's best defenders. He is known for his runs up and down the right flank, accurate crosses into the box, strong defending, prowess in the air and is a constant threat on goal at set pieces and in open play.



Sevilla

Ramos began his career as a well-regarded right-side defender, a position he was able to keep for the majority of his early career. After two years of experience in La Liga, with Sevilla, he became known for his ability to play competently in any defensive position.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid signed Ramos for € 27 million in the summer of 2005 from Sevilla, making him the ninth Sevilla player to leave for Real Madrid.[citation needed] This transfer made him the third most expensive teenager behind Wayne Rooney and the most expensive domestic signing in La Liga.[citation needed] At Real, he was awarded the number 4 shirt, previously occupied by Real Madrid captain Fernando Hierro.

Ramos scored his first Champions League goal for Real Madrid against Olympiakos, a game which Real eventually lost 2-1. The performances and effort level of Ramos have made him into a fan favourite at the Bernabeu. He started by playing at the centre of defence for Real, and was used as a defensive midfielder and a right back on some occasions. However, with the arrival of Christoph Metzelder and Pepe, Ramos was again able to play right back, a position that he has maintained when the central defenders have stayed away from injuries. During the 2006–07 season he showed his abilities as a great crosser of the ball, a memorable example being when he assisted Raúl to score against Barcelona in the second minute at the Santiago Bernabéu. Ramos has also shown his danger in set pieces and he has established himself as Real's most potent danger in the air, scoring five goals with his head in the 06-07 La Liga season.

Ramos has become well known for his striking qualities in Madrid over his past seasons with Real, having scored almost 20 goals in the Los Blancos shirt. In a recent interview with Grada Blanca, he revealed that he used to play as a striker when he was younger and eventually became a defender as he grew older.

On May 4, 2008, Ramos assisted Gonzalo Higuain in the 89th minute against Osasuna in what turned out to be the clinching goal for Real Madrid's 31st La Liga championship.

He scored his 4th and 5th goal of the season in a 5-2 demolishing of Levante in the final game of the season. Sergio Ramos has already signalled his intention to spend the rest of his career at Real Madrid and would become a serious contender for the Real Madrid captaincy in the future.

International career

In 2004, Ramos became one of the key figures in Spain's Under-21's, playing six international matches and acquiring experience and interest from other clubs. In Salamanca, against China, he played for the senior side at only nineteen years of age, making him the youngest player to play for the national team in the last 55 years. He held this record until it was broken by Arsenal's Cesc Fábregas.

He impressed on his debut (26 March 2005 versus China) and was awarded a place in the team which would challenge Serbia and Montenegro in an important qualification match for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Because of the absence of fellow Madrid player Míchel Salgado he was part of the starting eleven.

Ramos was announced as part of the Spain World Cup Squad on 15 May 2006, and eventually replaced Salgado as Spain's first choice right-back.

Throughout Spain's Euro 2008 qualification, he was a regular member of the starting XI as they finished at the top of Group F above Sweden. In the qualifications, he scored two goals, including one in a 3-1 win over Denmark, in 11 appearances. Ramos and Spain are in Group D for the coming championships this summer, as well as Russia, Greece, and Sweden.

Izvor: Wikipedia