Life at Real Madrid after Sergio Ramos

After a poor Real Madrid campaign has passed, the 35-year-old Sergio Ramos is no longer a part of the team as his departure was finally confirmed. Ramos out of Real Madrid - sounds surreal right? Yet true.

Near-Seville-born defender will continue writing his story somewhere else. Paris, Manchester, who knows - but what is for sure is that Carlo Ancelotti and the team will have to manage without the huge presence of Ramos.

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When you take a closer look, the situation can bring a lot of good to Los Blancos. And expectedly - some bad.

Ramos' absence will provide room for other players to hopefully flourish and take on more senior roles in the side.

David Alaba has arrived while Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez were excellent last season in the final stretch when Ramos could not play due to injury. And let's not forget Raphael Varane - the Frenchman could become a leader of the side if he gets the chance. And if he stays in the club, of course.

Until his last season, Ramos was rarely too troubled by injuries - he has always looked after himself physically. However, if Varane does walk away too, there's a huge gap in the backline. There's a bit of uncertainty and nervousness around as Varane is free to speak to clubs from January 1st.

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Financially speaking, Ramos leaving is good news for Real as they will offload his big wages. With interest in Kylian Mbappe not fading, they need to lighten the load even more and they might manage if they get Gareth Bale off the books also.

On the other note - for a defender, Ramos brought massive number of goals - Real Madrid are losing one of their best goalscorers in recent years. In 16 years he managed to score 101 times, making him an incredibly reliable source of goals from defence.

With Ramos elsewhere, there is space for others to become leaders and rise to the occasion when most needed. After bossing the dressing room for six years as captain, it's time for Ramos' place to be taken by someone else.

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Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric and even Thibaut Courtois will now have to step up. The captain's armband is now with Marcelo, who has just 12 months left on his contract. If the Brazilian leaves, Karim Benzema will become Real Madrid's new skipper.

Where one door closes - another opens. But does it work the other way around? Yes, there will be room for others to grow as leaders but if you lose a commander such as Ramos - it will take a lot of time to find or craft the same level of leadership in a player.

It's official: Sergio Ramos is leaving Real Madrid

Nobody knows Madrid's training ground of Valdebebas and Santiago Bernabeu Stadium quite like Ramos does. A classic example of a club warrior who never gave less than 100 percent for the club - he never gave up and never knew when he was beaten.

During lockdown, his was the voice you heard echoing round grounds, even when he wasn’t playing. Especially when he wasn’t playing.

Real Madrid fans hope it won't take long before someone else takes Ramos' place, performs at least close to his level and brings trophies like he did.