Benitez: Ramos central to Real's plans
Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez reiterated that defender Sergio Ramos will not be sold.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7t3mxFdHrCuVU5WVHfL4Xf-1000-80.jpg)
Manchester United target Sergio Ramos will not be leaving Real Madrid, according to coach Rafael Benitez, who heaped praise on the Spain international centre-back.
Ramos has continued to be linked with a move to United and there are fresh reports out of Spain claiming Louis van Gaal is preparing to make one final offer for the defender.
Real president Florentino Perez recently insisted he has no intention of selling Ramos, who has two years remaining on his contract, while there is speculation the 29-year-old could be handed the captaincy following Iker Casillas' departure.
And Benitez reiterated Perez's stance when quizzed by reporters at a media conference in Melbourne on Friday.
"There is a lot of talk about his [Ramos'] situation. For me he is an enormous professional. He applies himself and does everything that the team and I ask," Benitez said ahead of Real's opening International Champions Cup match against Roma on Saturday.
"The president has already commented that he is staying with the club."
Benitez, who plans to build around Ramos as he bids to improve Real's defence after the team conceded more La Liga goals than champions Barcelona, rivals Atletico Madrid and Valencia last season, added: "I have spoken to him at length in the summer about his ideas and his future.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"I see Sergio as an integral part of our team. He is a winner and that is what we need in our team."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack