SERGIO RAMOS: "RETURNING HOME WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO"

Sergio Ramos commanded the press room at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Wednesday as he appeared in front of the press for the first time in his second spell at Sevilla FC. First of all, he wanted to express his gratitude: 'I'm living the dream, returning home after 18 years. Sometimes dreams do come true, and I will cherish today because it means so much that I can share this experience with my loved ones. I feel proud with them and that's why I think it's going to be exciting and different for me. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the president, the vice president, the sporting director and the fans for opening the door for me to return, to prove I still have what it takes to keep playing. Also my brother René for always being there with me. We have been through a lot and we have stood shoulder to shoulder and here we are standing firm 18 years later. I left as a child, single, and today I am back with my wife and four children. It didn't make sense to make any other decision than to come back here. I also wanted to remember [Antonio] Puerta, to whom I am so grateful and who continues to help us and send us his strength from above. Also my grandfather, for making me a Sevillista, and my father for making me the person I am, for the humility he instilled in me. I have tried to do my best and today I am also here because of him. All that's left to do is perform on the pitch and I think I have the skills to do that."

He spoke, of course, about his return: "When the time came to consider coming back, it is very emotional. It was about returning home and being able to complete a cycle. On a sporting level I have always said that I wanted to win something with my team. Hopefully I can reach my full potential and fulfil the team's objectives. On the negatives during the summer, he commented that "I have always been optimistic and in football many things remain anecdotes and nothing more. If I'm here, it's for a reason and it's a meaningful decision. I am here because of all those people and the fact they allow me to return is something to be grateful for. We have many interests to defend together and the rest is in the past. I never lost hope [about the transfer]. I always had hope, I packed my suitcase, I unpacked it again and in the end fate has run its course. When I was called, the first option was to return home and I knew it was the right thing to do."

"If I'm here, it's for a reason and it's a meaningful decision"

His decision was clear: "I have always been driven by emotions and sensations. If I choose a project, it's because I believe in it. I could have continued in Paris but I felt like that the cycle was over. It wasn't because of money or contract length. It was an emotional thing, exactly the instinct that drove me here. Hopefully I'll be lucky like Navas and Rakitic and I can come back and win titles. I think we can do it, although it's difficult, but the first thing you have to do is believe and then face it. They are an example and we are going to put together a good group with a winning mentality". As for that long-awaited call, he told how "my brother came home and told me we had to talk. There was little debate when he told me the proposal, it was the last to arrive but the first idea we had discussed. It was wonderful because I had been waiting for three months and it became possible."

On his 2005 departure, he said: "I'm not resentful, but when I left I think things were misrepresented. It was reported that there was a release clause in my contract, but it was simply an agreement between clubs. Although it was sugested otherwise, I am fond of Del Nido because he gave me my debut, he gave me a professional contract. Today we are who we are and I don't like to make assumptions". He also addressed the fans on the matter: "Since I arrived this week, I've noticed the affection. I am the first to recognise and apologise to anyone who felt offended. It was a mistake and I hope they can forgive me because we all wear the same badge on our chest. I want to show that I'm here to defend that crest with my football."

"It was a mistake and I hope they can forgive me"

Discussing his regime over the summer, he said that "I have trained hard and long. It has been hard psychologically but wonderful to learn, because it makes you give more in difficult moments. I feel good but I needed to be on the pitch and with the team I will be the best version of myself, hopefully ready to play as soon as possible". On what he can bring to the team:  "A mentor is always important and many players helped us when I was young. I can give that little bit of wisdom that I have learnt in those 20 years in the elite. I believe that in football there is no age, only good and bad. On the pitch is where you have to prove yourself regardless of who you are. We will all need to show maturity in the difficult moments." As far as Mendilibar is concerned, Ramos is clear that he's "just another player at the manager's disposal and he has all the ideas. I will adapt to his tactics and there's still time before the next game so we'll see. We have a good relationship. The coach likes me as just another player. He has his criteria and he demands 100% from you in training and competing. We have the common interest of ensuring the team does well."

He also paid tribute to academy director, Pablo Blanco: ""My greatest thanks and affection. Pablo was one of the first to see me and emphasised my change of position to full-back. He half convinced me, I stayed at right-back, but I was going higher up so I don't think his eye failed him. I want to thank him for everything he has done for me." And for Joaquín Caparrós, his manager during his first spell at Sevilla: "To the coach, I want to thank him for what he saw in me to hand me  my debut, for betting on youth and giving me that confidence. Not all coaches have that kind of personality." Finally, he spoke about the Rubiales controversy: "He has behaved unacceptably and has made a mistake. We must take the opportunity to congratulate the women's team once again for what they have achieved, which is what we should be talking about. My congratulations and I hope that football will have the representatives it really deserves."