Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos, has denied reports that he said Cristiano Ronaldo was not required to work hard off the ball, while giving his other team-mates like Isco and Alvaro Morata a telling off.
Madrid’s squad had a meeting before training on Friday, ahead of their 4-1 win over Eibar on Saturday.
Spanish TV show “Jugones” claimed that Ramos had told the entire squad that Ronaldo’s usual contribution of around 60 goals a season, meant he did not need to do much defensively.
However, speaking after the Eibar game, the Spain defender said in the Ipurua mixed zone: “It is totally false, this report. I want people to tell the truth. We had a meeting after what happened against Las Palmas.
“This happens in the best families — when there are problems, we take the bull by horns, and face up to what is happening. But these things stay in the dressing room. We talked as we have often talked.
“I never said that Cris did not have to run. At this club we all must run, from the first to the last. We are all the same. That is the key to everything, competition within the group. Everyone has to run and press, that is what brings you trophies.”
Asked whether he could reveal what was discussed during the meeting, Ramos said: “I am not going to tell you what I said, but we are annoyed [at the reports],” he said. “[Luka] Modric usually talks and the other day he didn’t. But instead people said there was a [verbal] clip around the ear for Isco and Morata. I understand that papers need to be sold, but credibility should come before everything.”
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