Sergio Ramos tests positive for COVID-19
By Tom Gott
Sergio Ramos can't catch a break. The Real Madrid centre-back, who is already sidelined with a muscle injury, has now tested positive for COVID-19.
The 35-year-old has played just four times in 2021, with four different injuries and illnesses keeping him sidelined for most of the current year. He has not played for Real since March's 3-1 win over Atalanta and is not expected back until May.
Ramos' focus has been on recovering from this latest injury, but he now has another issue to contend with as Real confirmed on their official website that the centre-back is the latest player to test positive for COVID-19.
Defensive partner Raphael Varane has been in isolation recently after his own positive diagnosis, and now Ramos must head for his own quarantine period.
If there's one positive from this whole situation, it's that Ramos' positive test will likely not have too much of an impact on his playing time. He wasn't going to be playing for the next few weeks anyway, and the hope is that he will still be able to work on his recovery at home.
There's a lot going on for Ramos now, but the biggest problem is undoubtedly his contract situation, which is growing more and more perilous with each passing day.
Ramos's current deal with Real will expire at the end of the season and talks, which had already hit a wall, have been postponed until he returns to action.
The centre-back is chasing a two-year extension with no drop in salary, but Real have a few problems with that. Firstly, because of his age and fitness struggles, they would only want to tie him down to a one-year deal with the option of an extension as they fear they may not get their money's worth from the ageing defender.
The financial terms on offer are also a problem. Real are keen for everyone in the squad to agree to a pay cut in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Ramos is holding out for his full salary. At the minute, that is not an option for Real.
This is by no means the first time Ramos has flirted with the exit door. He milked the life out of interest from Manchester United in 2015 before eventually signing a new contract with Real, but things seem far more uncertain now.