Playing hard to get: "Ramos wants to come? Well, I want my own airplane!"

It's not easy to stay calm and collected when you're about to play against one of the best teams in the world. People get nervous.

Sevilla president Jose Castro spoke to the press in Athens ahead of tomorrow's UEFA Super Cup clash with Manchester City, declaring a "good moment" for his team and making a joke about legendary defender Sergio Ramos, who's constantly linked with a return to his boyhood club.

"We have a chance of winning another title against the best team in the world right now. We are also champions, and we will try to make it difficult for Manchester City. We have only won one Super Cup, and now we have to win another. Sevilla never fears in a final."

The UEFA Europa League holders must navigate their way past the Cityzens, who won the historic Treble last season. Castro wants his players to put on a show for the millions watching worldwide.

"Manchester City is a great team. Our players know the importance of this match and the more than 300 million viewers who will watch it. We hope the Super Cup will be a tight contest, no matter how good the rival is."

Recently, two Sevilla first-teamers have been linked with moves away: goalkeeper Yassine Bonou and left-back Marcos Acuna, who is allegedly wanted by Aston Villa. With Sevilla's financial problems in the public domain, the president declared all their players are for sale - but they aren't going to go unless the price is right.

"I don't know how long Bono will be at Sevilla. If there are offers outside the market, we will see the possibility of a transfer. So far, there has been no such offer. The proposal by Acuna? Our team is made up of champion players who have a price. If it is the one that we believe will make us grow, we will sell."

And finally, the question on everyone's lips: will Sergio Ramos return to Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan? The former Real Madrid captain has been a free agent since his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired on 1 July. Some sources even say Ramos would favour joining the club where his professional career started nearly 20 years ago. Castro's response caused a big laugh.

"I don't know what else there is to say about this. The vice president and the sports director have said it. We have nothing against Sergio Ramos, who is a great player, but he doesn't fit into what we have planned now at the club. He doesn't fit into our sporting policy. What, Sergio wants to come? And I want a plane; give it to me!"

The experienced defender has undergone two different seasons with French title-holders PSG. Following a series of injuries during his initial year at the Parc des Princes, he emerged as a crucial element in Christophe Galtier's squad in the 2022/23 season, assuming a leadership role both on the defensive line and within the team's locker room.

Throughout the entire season, Ramos participated in a total of 45 matches, featuring in 33 Ligue 1 fixtures and eight Champions League encounters. His physical condition demonstrated that he can still play at the highest level, but the question of where he will continue his career in the 2023/24 season remains unanswered.

At least, we can rule out a return to Sevilla.