SERGIO RAMOS: "WHEN YOU FOLLOW YOUR HEART, THE DECISION IS ALWAYS RIGHT"

After sealing his return to his boyhood club 18 years after leaving, Sergio Ramos showed his emotional side in his first interview as a Sevilla FC player.

Speaking to Sevilla FC Official Media on the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán pitch, Sergio discussed just how happy he was to be returning: "It's a very special day, one of the greatest in my life because returning home is very rewarding, the many feelings you have, friends, reunions... It's been very special and I'm very happy that this dream has come true."

"Returning home after 18 years... it's normal for me to need more time to digest the taste of returning home and stepping out in this stadium. I'm looking forward to meeting the fans and it's time for me to join the team as soon as possible. It's been special for me and all my family, who are lifelong Sevillistas."

His move: "I can't ask for more. I thank the President, Vice President, Víctor Orta and everyone who has made it possible for me to be enjoying this moment here. There are things in life that you can't buy with money and when you follow your heart, the decision is always right. Many things can happen because it's a sport, but my heart was asking me to return home."

"I owed it to the Sevilla fans, who I wanted to make amends with for everything that had happened. I also owed it to my grandfather, who made me a Sevilla fan and took me to the stadium holding my hand. I owed it to my father, who made my dream of making my debut here possible, and also to Puerta, Reyes... I have seen myself reflected in feelings around Sevilla and I wanted to be a key player here. I didn't want to go far away because it was a good time to come and help, with the desire to demonstrate and contribute experience, physicality and things that I have acquired throughout my career so that I can serve my lifelong club."

"I'm looking forward to joining and what happened in the past should stay there. The first thing I did was apologise to anyone who was offended by my gestures. I'm a very passionate person and I expressed it in that way, but I apologise. We are the same family and we defend the same badge. It's time to row in the same direction, I'm coming to contribute and defend this badge as I've done since I was eight years old."

"I needed that feeling, meeting my people again and seeing my home. It was the right time and I think it'll be a great year, an emotional one, and I hope it will be a great year on a professional level too."

His exit in 2005: "I've been thinking about it for many years. 18 years have passed, I was very young and maybe I wasn't prepared to tell the truth about what happened. Going into detail would be too much. I'm coming home and what doesn't change is the feeling and your heart. I'm a lifelong Sevillista and that can't be changed."

"I apologise for the errors I may have made, we're all people and we make mistakes. The main thing is learning and making amends. I've always been very clear on that and we have to look ahead. All there is do is wear the same shirt and fight for the same objectives. Although others might have a different perspective, anyone who really knows me knows that I'm transparent and I go straight ahead. Sometimes that's caused me problems, but with time you deal with it and learn from your mistakes by being yourself. I'm returning today and that feeling for the club hasn't changed."

"One of the greatest days in my life"

Family ties: "I get really emotional talking about my grandfather because he left crying and we've always been Sevillistas. The last memory I have of him is leaving here watching how people booed his grandson. That was hard. I don't think we deserve that, neither as a family or as fans, because that damages everyone."

"I could have gone somewhere else or stayed in Paris, but when you've been away from home for so long, you see years and opportunities go by. I didn't consider staying in Paris, I've always been moved by my heart, not my money. It didn't make sense to go to Saudi Arabia, the MLS, or anywhere that wasn't here."

"I waited until the end, I even risked ending up with nothing. It came in the 93rd minute, just when it had to arrive because I believe in destiny and energy. When you want something, and you make sacrifices and have hope, normally it happens. My grandfather, Puerta... they deserve to hear my name chanted from above. There are things I have to experience and only Sevilla could offer that. If it turns out to be a mistake I'll die calm, because it was what my heart commanded me to do. Effort is non-negotiable and as long as you give it, the rest will come."

Ramos, Navas, Puerta: Debuts in the same season. The first two will play alongside each other again: "As for Puerta, it's a shame. Antonio is with us and from above he always sends signs to carry the team on. Thinking about him is a lifelong memory. I often look at the sky and remember him."

"As for Jesús, what can I say. He's been like a son since we started, I'm proud of the great career he's had both at Sevilla and away from the club. He's matured and grown and I'm very happy to be back with him. It'll be great because now he's like a brother, in another stage, but everything I can tell you about Jesús wouldn't be enough because we've gone through so many emotions together, at Sevilla, with the national team, our debuts... They're unique moments that will always maintain that bond and I'm proud to see him as captain."

Poor start to the season - no problem for Sergio: "I like arriving at places when things are bad. Everyone likes to play in a final and in the Europa League you can give lessons here. Last year there were difficult moments in the first half of the season and in the end we ended up winning a trophy. It's in those moments you come to your sense and that's when you put your foot in the mud to come up. I like to take on tough challenges, it's all down to yourself. Getting out of difficult moments shows more strength. You enjoy yourself more in difficult situations and I grow in the face of adversity, I can perform at en even higher level than when everything is under control"

"It didn't make sense to go anywhere that wasn't here"

The wait this summer: "It's been a strange situation because I always try to plan holidays and the last few days I come here to disconnect and get ready to be in good shape. It was such a long transfer window that you go through tough spells, but if you work hard you get your reward. I was always insistent, I overcame it. I was always getting ready, double sessions from Monday to Friday. I feel good in terms of fitness but I need that movement on the pitch and with teammates. I need to smell the grass again, the dressing room..."

An interesting story: "A month and a half ago I bought my children Sevilla shirts with Sergio Ramos, 4, on the back. My nephew signed for Sevilla aged nine and my children were at the training ground recently and sent me photos. All those emotions together is very satisfying. 18 years have passed, one life in Sevilla and one life in Madrid, but your heart is moved by things that matter and tomorrow will be a reunion. It's our day to day, employees who have been here nearly 20 years... This is a family and no matter how far away you go, you are either from here or you don't live it."

What Ramos can bring to the team: "Performance, after playing over 40 matches last season, only behind Donnarumma. Physicality, maturity, wisdom in difficult moments, trying to be more together. That's where I can contribute my knowledge and be available for the coach, who has done a great job in a critical situation. Between all of us and we can help out and give the advice that we got from Pablo Alfaro, Javi Navarro, Renato, Martí and Darío Silva, to name a few. In football, despite any changes, experience and performance are very important."

"I can contribute my knowledge"

Coming back home: "I have fond memories of my time here, my debut in Riazor, where Bezares made his debut, he's a good friend. My first goal against Nacional de Madeira, the free kick against Madrid, I've got matches that stand out on my CV. I was very sad to leave but back then I was young, I wanted to grow and win trophies and I was happy with every trophy that Sevilla won afterwards. Going to Madrid was a unique opportunity and I can say that I'm coming back here having won everything and I'm proud of everything that Sevilla won."

"I've had unique moments here and the fans here aren't number 12, they're number 10. When you wear the number 10 at a team it's for a reason, you bring things together that you can't explain with words. One of the great strengths of this stadium is the fans. Any child who comes to this stadium and signs the anthem at the start. Although I got booed, I came here with Madrid and had goosebumps when the anthem was on. Sevilla have won so much because of things like this, without detracting from the work of everyone. The atmosphere affects things a lot because it's part of the added pressure, which, however much other clubs want to have it, they don't."

His family's reaction to the move: "It was a very personal decision because every time my children come to Sevilla they love it. They have cousins and friends here... They really enjoy being on the estate. For my wife, it's better to be closer to Madrid because everything's easier. Then there's my parents, siblings, friends, the majority are Sevillistas so it's been an emotional day. My mother has that little pinch in her stomach and it's an opportunity to see them there again and to give them a goal, it could only happen this year."

"The time was now, at a time when Sevilla also needs help and I haven't even mentioned the economic issue. It was whatever Sevilla wanted. It wasn't a problem and we solved it in five seconds. It's a very emotional issue and it doesn't even require talking about money."

Affection from the fans: "I've always felt loved in this city, apart from the matches you play with another badge. Especially today, more than ever. Those misunderstandings and the controversy that caused me to leave is now in the past, today has been a day of joy and affection, from the people in our neighbourhoods and I feel the need to repay them with performances and goals. I've won everything, but I need a trophy with Sevilla and I hope it's this year. I have a good image of what I experienced and enjoyed here and I hope it happens again."