A master of the art.
There’s method in Sergio Ramos’ madness. The Spaniard, once referred to by Eamon Dunphy as ‘Paul McShane on steroids’ has more of a reputation for his madness, which is fairly understandable given that he’s received a total of 24 red cards in his career, but maybe it’s time he got the credit he deserves.
Because the game he plays is not an easy one. The game he plays is one where every moving soul in an opposition jersey becomes an enemy the minute the first whistle is blown and he’s going to do his level best to make himself the bane of their lives for the next 90 minutes of the game.
He comes across as one of those guys that can be as cool as a breeze and as calm as you like – so long as the ball isn’t involved.
Because as soon as he gets the scent of competition, as soon as he dons his jersey, as soon as he lines up an opponent, he’s going into battle and he’s going to live life on the edge. It’s a whole new world, a completely different world then.
He’s going out there to win the game for his team and to be quite honest about it, he’ll do anything within his power to achieve victory. It doesn’t matter how low he’s going to have to go, he’ll break the rules, he’ll annoy the hell out of his opponents but for the most part it’s going to benefit his team and frustrate the hell out of the man he’s up against.
It’s win at all costs and as long as something can guide him to victory, he’ll have no hesitation in stooping to it. He’s a changed man now and he has the game face on.
But a game face like this one requires intense, unwavering focus. Because he’s testing the rules to their absolute limits with everything he does, he has to make sure that, in the eyes of the referee, he’s genuine and he’s honest, where in reality, he’s pulling the wool over all of our eyes.
Then, when the final whistle blows, he’ll go back to that laughing and joking again. A competitive beast who takes it seriously when it matters.
The state of that game https://t.co/zabhorU1Zh
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 25, 2018
Watching on from Kerry, Paul Galvin picked out a moment that sums up Sergio Ramos as good as anything ever could. Before the game, the Madrid captain was all smiles, all jokes. He was making friends with the referees, the linesmen. Like a teacher’s pet in the class room, he portrayed himself to them in the light of an angel.
Little do they know that the minute their back is turned, he’s going to be tugging the jersey of Robert Lewandowski, shouting in his ear. Cynical, some might call it.
Whatever it takes.
Sergio Ramos’ ability to play the nice guy pre-game while actually being a lunatic bad guy is rare and wonderful and to be admired . I never did master that particular art. #UCL #RealMadrid #BayernMadrid pic.twitter.com/I5JfbGZn79
— paul galvin (@pgal10) April 25, 2018
Galvin’s commentary on the above video is brilliant too. It’s all a game to Ramos and he has it mastered, like so many GAA players have in the past.
On Wednesday night in the Allianz Arena, Ramos was the best player on the pitch. He performed his duties to a tee, turning in a solid defensive performance when it mattered.
That’s what one of the game’s most consistent performers over the last few years did on Wednesday night, that’s what he does.
Game face off now, until the second leg.
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