Sergio Ramos Says He Spoke to Salah After Injury, Denies Malicious Intent

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said Tuesday he did not intend to injure Mohamed Salah after the Liverpool star was forced off with a shoulder problem in the UEFA Champions League final. 

Ramos tangled with Salah early in the game, resulting in the Liverpool star being substituted with an injury. He also clashed with goalkeeper Loris Karius, who is said to have suffered a concussion during the match, per BBC Sport.

Per AS, the Madrid star said:

"I didn't want to speak because everything is magnified. I see the play well, he grabs my arm first and I fell to the other side; the injury happened to the other arm, and they said that I gave him a judo hold. After, the goalkeeper said that I dazed him with a clash. I am only missing Firmino saying that he got a cold because a drop of my sweat landed on him."

The centre-back also said Salah could have continued to play if he had been given a pain-killing injection.

Ramos added:

"I spoke with Salah through messages; he was quite good. He could have played if he got an injection for the second half; I have done it sometimes, but when Ramos does something like this, it sticks a little bit more. I don't know if it's because you're at Madrid for so long and win for so long that people look at it a different way."

The two challenges played a key role in the final. Salah is Liverpool's outstanding player and went into the match after scoring 43 goals in all competitions in his debut season for the Reds. 

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However, he lasted just 30 minutes before being replaced by Adam Lallana. His departure saw Liverpool lose their early attacking impetus, while Madrid drew confidence from their opponents' key attacker departing.

Ramos' challenge has prompted plenty of conflicting views. Egyptian lawyer Bassem Wahba filed a €1 billion lawsuit against Ramos for "physical and psychological damages to Salah and the Egyptian people," per The Independent (h/t AS).

Meanwhile, a petition calling for FIFA and UEFA to "take measures against Ramos" in order "to keep the spirit of the game" has been signed by half a million people, according to The Independent.

However, Russian football expert Artur Petrosyan said neither of Ramos' tackles were even fouls:

Madrid went ahead in the game after goalkeeper Karius made a mistake and Karim Benzema intercepted his throw-out. Although Liverpool equalised, a brilliant strike by Gareth Bale put Los Blancos back in front. The Welshman then wrapped the game up by scoring again after Karius fumbled his strike from range.

Ramos collided with Karius with the score still at 0-0, and Liverpool have since announced he suffered a concussion, which could explain his poor performance. 

ESPN FC showed the statement from Massachusetts General Hospital:

Karius was sent for a scan by Liverpool's medical staff while on holiday in the United States. The scan took place five days after the Champions League final, per Luke Edwards at the Telegraph.

Former goalkeeper David Preece shared his experiences of concussion:

Goal's Ben Hayward noted how Ramos tends to make an impact in crucial games:

Ramos is a controversial and often decisive figure who has a reputation for being a no-nonsense defender. He's been sent off more than any other player in the history of La Liga, per Marca.

The Spain international often appears to play right on the limit of the game's laws and use whatever means necessary to win. It is an approach that often prompts scrutiny but has also seen him become one of the game's most decorated defenders.