A few eyebrows will have been raised earlier this week when, speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s meeting with Valencia on Sunday, Zinedine Zidane claimed that Sergio Ramos was the best central defender ever.
“The best? He’s one of them, certainly,” the Real head coach told journalists ahead of this weekend’s La Liga clash, “[for] what he has done, what he is, and what he has shown in Madrid.
“I think he’s the best in history.”
Zidane hailed Ramos as the best ever in his position. © Reuters
On first glance, these appear to be the words of a manager trying to boost morale within his squad – who haven’t enjoyed the easiest start to the season – and not necessarily an honest assessment of Ramos’s place in football’s pantheon.
Despite his achievements – both with Real and Spain – Ramos remains a divisive figure in the world game.
Many despise him for his tenacious – if not overly zealous – approach to defending, and his ability to bend the rules for the good of his team. (RT)