History is made and broken and everyone is subject to the same in every field and Real Madrid is no exception,they have been in the last 16 for the longest time one can remember but this time round it is not the case, they’re out courtesy of Ajax.
Sergio Ramos thought he was being wise and saw it not coming when he purposefully and willfully got himself booked in the late stages of the first-leg.
Real Madrid’s captain Ramos thought his side had done enough with a 2-1 lead going back to the Bernebeu.
The Spain international crashed into the back of Ajax striker Kasper Dolberg for an easy yellow card – which ruled him out of the second-leg but cleared his stack of yellow cards ahead of the business end of the competition.
When asked about the foul, Ramos said: “I would lie if I told you that I did not force the card.
“It is something I had in mind, it is not to underestimate [Ajax] or think that the tie is already over but I have decided [to be booked] so I can rest in the return, although I will be in the stadium to encourage the team.”
He later backtracked saying, and in a post via Twitter , Ramos wrote: “I want to make it clear that it hurts more than anyone, I have not forced the card, as I did not against Roma in my previous Champions League match.
“I will support from the stands as one more fan with the illusion of being in the quarters.”
But Ramos was left with egg on his face as Ajax did the implausible and not only shocked Real in their backyard but completely embarrassed them.
Hakim Ziyech, David Neres, Dusan Tadic and Lasse Schone all netted as the Dutch side won 4-1 – with Marco Asensio grabbing a scant consolation.
Ramos watched from the stands, in a box, and photographers captured his reactions.
Ajax fans, Liverpool fans, Barcelona fans and pretty much every other supporter who has been on the end of Ramos’ dark arts would have enjoyed the schadenfreude for the obvious known reasons of poor play and intended fouls, it should be remembered tat he fouled Mohammed Salah by holding his hand while the two went down causing him a sluggish World cup play.
Ramos waved his warms around, gestured for every decision and generally looked frustrated he wasn’t on the pitch.
To make matter worse, UEFA handed Ramos a two-match ban so he won’t be allowed to play in matchday one of next season’s Champions League group stage.