Sergio Ramos at Marca

Sergio Ramos gave a long interview to Marca, which was published in today’s edition.  The reporter asked some pretty good questions, so we get to hear why Sergio loves a certain estrella so much, his thoughts on crying, and the latest on that tattoo of the World Cup he promised to get…  I love Sergio’s answers.

It’s been almost a year since we got that star on our shirt.

(Smiles) Yes, and we wear it with more pride each day.  It cost us a lot to get it.  This star is the hard work and the dream of an entire life.

How many times have you looked at it?

Each time that I can.  My eyes are drawn to it.  The only exception is when you go onto the field, because then you know that it doesn’t mean anything, since it symbolizes the past.  But when you look at this shirt, it’s the first thing that catches your eye.

Has your life changed because of this star?

No.  Titles shouldn’t change persons.  We lived through some unforgettable moments and I feel privileged because I’ve had incredible experiences, but you can’t spend the entire day thinking about what you’ve already done.

How many times have you watched that final in Johannesburg?

Many times, four or five, and I always get emotional.  The years pass and that feeling of making an entire country happy doesn’t change.  I can’t express with words how it felt to see people so happy, while knowing that you were responsible for part of it.

Have you cried a lot?

No, no.  I don’t usually cry out of happiness, I express my feelings with smiles.  Other moments in life are more appropriate for tears.  I haven’t cried, but I have gotten very emotional.

Where is your blue, number 15 shirt from the final?

At home.  I have a display cabinet filled with the boots of teammates, such as Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham and Raúl, and some shirts like the one from the final of the Eurocopa, the one from my first Liga and the one from the World Cup, which is the jewel of this small museum that I have at home.

Of course he has “SR4” in diamonds on his watch.  I wouldn’t have expected any less.  But wouldn’t it have been cooler for the “4” in “SR4” to be the actual “4” on the watch?

You promised to get a tattoo of the World Cup.

(Looks at his arms and laughs) I said that, but then you think about it and you don’t know what to do.  I made that promise and I like to keep my word.  I’m looking for a discrete site to get that tattoo [I’ll help you look, Sergio!!!!].  In any case, it’s something that you hold inside your soul.

What comes into your mind each time you see Iniesta?

I have a special affection for Andrés because we’ve played many years together.  Each time I see him, I remember that goal, with everyone running after him.  It’s a luxury for Spain to have a footballer like Andrés.

Right now, everything is viewed differently.  The other day, a ball from Piqué hit you in the face during the training session and because he didn’t say sorry, instead just raising his hand, people had something to say.

A ball from Gerard?  I didn’t even realize that, nor did I remember.  I just learned about it from you.  I’m not an actor.  I can make mistakes or be right, but I always say what I feel.  I don’t know how to pretend, much less in personal relationships.  If I say there’s a good atmosphere in the national team, it’s because it’s the truth.  Not everyone has to be friends, because in all groups, including la selección, there are people who are closer with some than others, but we all respect each other, we help each other and we know that we have the same objective.

A failure during this Americas tour runs the risk of people saying, “you see how they don’t get along?”

We know that.  We came with the idea of closing out the season well, of taking the games seriously, knowing how much this shirt weighs.  We know that controversies feed the world of football and the only antidote is victory.  It may sound like a cliché, but that saying about how Spain doesn’t play friendlies is something we all have very clear in our minds.

In what area are you better than you were one year ago as world champion?

I’ve always accepted criticism and praise.  I respect the entire world.  Inside, I have the experience, the maturity that a person acquires through games and titles.  I feel more mature and I believe my way of thinking has changed.

The part of the interview relating to Real Madrid can be found here.