Real Madrid’s 2025-26 season has been marred with a number of issues such as the exit of Xabi Alonso and internal dressing room politics.
And, one former La Liga striker has insisted that Los Blancos should re-sign Sergio Ramos to fix ongoing issues.
Real Madrid Urged To Bring Sergio Ramos Back
During a recent media appearance, ex-Uruguay and Villarreal man Walter Pandiani asserted Federico Valverde is not yet ready to assume a leadership role at Real Madrid.
“Madrid always need a leader. They have Valverde as captain, and he is still the young man we saw many years ago. I think he’s still too young to be a leader. They need someone else (to be the club captain),” the former Espanyol and Osasuna striker said.
Asked to name the star who should wear the armband for Los Merengues, Pandiani replied, “(Ramos) is a great player, who works physically and who would be an example. He could help (newly appointed head coach Álvaro) Arbeloa. I would call him.”
Ramos, who will turn 40 in March, is currently available as a free agent after concluding his stint at Mexican outfit Monterrey last December. He scored eight goals in 34 overall outings for his most recent team between February to December 2025.
Should he make a sensational return to Real Madrid on a free transfer in the future, Ramos could prove to be a shrewd signing. He would offer valuable mentorship to young defenders like Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio and cover for the injured Eder Militao.
During his 16-year spell at Los Merengues, Ramos registered a whopping 101 goals and 40 assists in 671 overall appearances. The former Los Blancos captain helped the La Liga outfit lift 22 trophies, including five league titles, before leaving in 2021.
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Meanwhile, former Los Merengues captain Karim Benzema has labelled his new club Al-Hilal as Asia’s rendition of Real Madrid following a winter transfer from Al-Ittihad.
“It’s good… I’m happy to be here. After my first training with the team, with the coach, I’m so happy and glad to be a part of this team. It’s a good team, with good history. They have won a lot of trophies. It’s similar, like Real Madrid in Asia. Everything is good… the fans are good, they play well, they have good players,” Benzema told Al-Hilal’s website.
Prior to joining Al-Hilal on a Bosman move, Benzema found the back of the net 16 times in 21 appearances across competitions for Al-Ittihad in the 2025-26 season.
