This summer marks one year since Sergio Ramos exited Real Madrid after spending nearly two decades with the Spanish club. The 2021-22 season was the first Luka Modric played without his former captain, and he spoke about Ramos’ departure in an interview with Sportske (via Marca).

Modric stated that it was challenging to see Ramos leaving Los Blancos last summer, considering that they spent nine years as teammates, and added that the Paris Saint-Germain defender was one of the first people to give him a vote of confidence when he arrived at Real Madrid.

“All the departures of players with whom you share years in very successful times are painful. For everyone. After nine years, Sergi is gone. From the first day he was close to me, he helped me adapt to Real Madrid,” Modric said.

“He encouraged me. He believed in my potential… We became great friends; our families got together. We spent the summers together. We still talk to each other every day, at least through messages.”

Despite missing Ramos last season, the 36-year-old stated that changes are part of the sport and that the only eternal thing is the club, which will be around once their playing careers are over.

“I miss hanging out with him, but that’s the way things are in football. Changes are the norm of daily life even for those who, like him, have conquered everything,” Modric said.

“As I said before, this is Real Madrid. It has been confirmed that without all of us, it will continue along the paths of trophies. We all go through; only Real Madrid is eternal.”

Ramos will hope that the injuries that have plagued him the last two years are behind as he attempts to have a better second season at PSG than the previous year.

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