Real Madrid Making Right Move as They Try to Repair Sergio Ramos Relationship

The first step has been made toward repairing Real Madrid's relationship with Sergio Ramos, and it might be the most important move the club makes all summer.

For the past few seasons, only Cristiano Ronaldo has been more important than the Andalusian centre-back, even if the club's pay structure doesn't reflect that.

Reducing his contribution to one moment is crude, but what he offers to Real Madrid in a microcosm is seen in his Champions League-final goal against Atletico Madrid.

In May 2014, with Real Madrid seconds from being beaten by their despised city rivals Atletico on club football's greatest stage, one man saved them.

Two minutes and 48 seconds into five minutes of stoppage time, Ramos rose high and powered a perfect header into the bottom-left corner.

Paulo Duarte/Associated Press

The incredible Thibaut Courtois reached, but this time even he couldn't get there. The ball hit the back of the Belgian's net, and Atletico's spirit was broken.

Madrid walked extra time and lifted la decima, their 10th European Cup, quenching a thirst that had raged for over a decade.

The 29-year-old's goal will be forever remembered, but most of his good work comes at the other end of the pitch.

Madrid's defence isn't the strongest, but Ramos is an underrated part of it, putting out fires before they even start, taking risks other players dare not.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Sometimes he comes a cropper, ending up trudging off the pitch after a red card, but his lunges high up the pitch largely work and help Madrid start attacks straight away.

In Guangzhou, China, on the club's pre-season tour, president Florentino Perez met Ramos during a promotional event and shook his hand.

As reported by Sport, it wasn't the warmest of handshakes, with Ramos choosing to look the other way.

But AS said at the end of the event "the defender and the president had a brief conversation and shook hands again, more warmly this time, and appearing to break somewhat the tension in their relationship over the past few weeks."

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Perez later met Ramos in a private setting to discuss the player's future and quash any desire he has to leave, reported by the Guardian. Sid Lowe wrote: 

"

The meeting, which ran into Sunday night, was attended by Perez, Ramos, Jose Angel Sanchez, Madrid’s chief executive, and Ramos’s brother and agent, Rene. Ramos reiterated his desire to join United, who have made two formal bids for the defender, but Perez outright refused to countenance a sale. With two years left on his current contract, Ramos’s ability to force Madrid’s hand is limited. It is the club, ultimately, who hold sway.

"

Marca (h/t the Daily Mail) claimed an agreement between Ramos and Perez is very close, with the defender set to sign a new deal.

Most at the club now believe Ramos is set to stay, with Pepe speaking to the media, saying Ramos is happy.

Per Sport, he said: "He’s our captain. I’m sure that he’s going to stay with us because he loves the club so much and his team-mates.”

New Real manager Rafa Benitez also thinks Ramos will not be going anywhere fast, saying in a press conference that the defender is 100 per cent staying at Madrid.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Madrid still need to improve their squad if they are to challenge on three fronts this season, but keeping Ramos happy will be crucial to any ambitions they have.

If he was sold, there are few feasible replacements out there. Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia is reportedly looking for a big move, but he doesn’t have the quality Ramos offers.

Raphael Varane is ready to step up and become an important player, but there are concerns over his knee, reported by Goal, which hasn’t proved the sturdiest in the past.

And if the Frenchman does come into the team, you would want him beside Ramos, not in place of him.

The boy who came from Seville is now a symbol of Madridismo—and still an excellent defender to boot.

Even if he hasn't yet completely decided to abandon his plan of joining Manchester United, it now seems far more likely he will be at the Santiago Bernabeu next season. And that is a huge positive for Madrid.