According to a story in El Confidential, Sergio Ramos, the captain of Real Madrid at the time, asked Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales to “talk to UEFA” about helping him win the Ballon d’Or in 2019, which was ultimately won by Lionel Messi of Barcelona with leaked audio out
More information will be released in the upcoming days, but Ramos’ request was granted by Rubiales, who assured the legendary player from Spain that he would do everything in his power.
Sergio Ramos Had Asked Luis Rubiales Spanish FA Chief To Fix The Ballon d’Or For Him, Leaked Audio Tape To Be Revealed Soon
🎙| Sergio Ramos (asking RFEF president Rubiales to help him win Ballon d'Or): “Hello Rubi, you know I never asked you for anything, but this was a very special year for me and I'd like you to help me however you can with UEFA.” @elconfidencial #rmalive
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 29, 2022
❗️ Sergio Ramos’ message in 2020 to Luis Rubiales has been leaked:
“Rubi, it was a special year for me. I would like you to help me as much as possible with the Ballon d’Or, with your contacts. I would appreciate it, not only for me, but for Spanish football.” @elconfidencial
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) June 29, 2022
In order to assist him to win the Ballon d’Or in 2019, Sergio Ramos reportedly requested Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, to put pressure on UEFA.
Beginning in 2018, the then-Captain of Real Madrid allegedly left numerous voicemails on Rubiales’ phone, both pleading for assistance and outlining his case for football’s highest individual honour.
The audio recordings will be made public online by El Confidential on Friday, although there are already some samples available.
What did Ramos State?
Ramos stated in one of the messages: “I would be eternally thankful to you. I send you a hug, not just for me but also because I believe Spanish football greatly deserves it.”
Ramos had a positive response from Rubiales when he promised to aid, but in the end, Rubiales’ assistance was insufficient to enable Ramos to cross the finish line. It should be emphasised that Ramos was still serving as Spain’s captain at the time, making Rubiales’ connection with Ramos of utmost significance.
In the end, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk lost to Lionel Messi of Barcelona for the record-tying sixth Ballon d’Or (he later added a seventh). In fact, Ramos and his Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric were both notably left off France Football’s list of the top 30 nominees for the prize.
When the Ballon d’Or was given out in December 2019, Ramos was nearing the end of an illustrious career with Real Madrid, where he amassed 22 trophies in total, including five La Liga championships and four Champions Leagues.
Ramos also contributed significantly to Spain’s record three-peat of international championships by starting all three of the Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012 finals. Ramos wanted to win the Ballon d’Or for Spain for the first time since Luis Suarez (who won it for Inter Milan, not Liverpool) in 1960.
Ramos had to Leave Madrid
Ramos and Madrid did not have a great year in 2019, with the most prominent event being his purposeful receiving of a yellow card during the first leg of Madrid’s Champions League round of 16 matches against Ajax. Ramos missed the second leg of the match because of his suspension and had to watch as his teammates, the three-time defending European champions, were destroyed 4-1 at the Bernabeu.
Even worse, Ramos was in the stands filming a documentary, an act for which he received harsh criticism afterwards.
Ramos later made the move from Madrid to Paris, joining PSG last summer on a free transfer. Ramos’ debut season in Ligue 1 was plagued by injuries, making it appear relatively improbable that he will ever win the Ballon d’Or.