Given how integral he's been to Real Madrid's success in recent years and how synonymous he has become with the Bernabeu club since arriving in the Spanish capital from Sevilla 12 years ago, it's hard to imagine Sergio Ramos not kitted out in the pristine white of Los Blancos, shithousing opposing strikers on a weekly basis.
But it's a reality we will soon be faced with, with the 32-year-old already looking towards a future without him wearing the captain's armband at the heart of Real's defence.
Of course, the World Cup and Champions League winning defender isn't planning on retirement just yet, but realises that, at 32, playing La Liga and European games on a weekly basis may be too big of an ask in the next couple of years.
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And with that in mind, the Spain international has been in discussions with the Los Blancos board about who they can look to to replace him with when the time finally comes for him to step down from a regular first team starter's role.
How exactly are you supposed to replace a bloke who shithouses opposition strikers, scores last minute winners and fucking dabs on a regular fucking basis? Images: PA
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Diario Gol are reporting, via the Mirror, that Ramos has identified Aymeric Laporte and Matthijs de Ligt as the two stand out candidates to fill his role at the heart of Real's defence.
Athletic Club's Laporte has previously been linked with moves to Manchester City and Barcelona after several impressive seasons with the Basque club, but now have also moved onto Real president Florentino Perez's radar, upon Ramos' recommendation.
De Ligt, meanwhile, has earned plaudits for his performances for Ajax since making his debut for the Amsterdam club, last season. The 18-year-old is part of the latest crop of youngsters to come through the Eredivisie club's famed youth academy and has already made a striking impression on scouts from across Europe.
Ramos, meanwhile, led Real to their second consecutive Club World Cup triumph, in Abu Dhabi yesterday, as Real saw off Brazilian giants Gremio to add the title to their La Liga and Champions League triumphs, this year.
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But who do you think should replace Ramos in Real's defence? Are Laporte and de Ligt the right choices or is someone else more suitable?
Have your say in the comments section below and on our Facebook page.
(H/T The Mirror)
Topics: Football News, Sergio Ramos, Football, Aymeric Laporte, Real Madrid, La Liga