Sergio Ramos Breaks Down In Tears As He Bids Farewell To Real Madrid After 16 Years

Sergio Ramos broke down in tears in an emotional Real Madrid farewell on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Real confirmed that their long-time captain would be leaving the club after 16 trophy-laden years in the Spanish capital.

Ramos' contract has expired at the Santiago Bernabeu and he will be available on a free in the summer transfer window.

On Thursday, the former Sevilla man held a press conference alongside president Florentino Perez and was overcome with emotion as he said goodbye.

Ramos will embark on a new challenge but the 35-year-old expects to return to Real in a different capacity in the future.

"This is not a goodbye, it's a see you later," Ramos said.

"Because I will be back."

Ramos was reported to have rejected a pay cut at Real but he claims that the reason for his departure is that there was an expiration date by which his contract needed to be renewed.

"In the last months Real Madrid offered me an offer of one year with 10% less salary," Ramos explained, as per Fabrizio Romano.

"The money was never the problem. I wanted two years, then I accepted the proposal... but the contract renewal offer had an expiration date, and I didn't know about it."

The Spain international joined Real in a huge €27 million move in 2005 and has gone on to make 671 appearances in 16 seasons, lifting 22 honours and scoring 101 goals from centre-back.

His innate mentality and clutch performances on the big occasion led to him becoming one of the most successful captains in football history.