Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Sergio Ramos makes big Qatar World Cup claim: 'I'll play with a grey beard if necessary'
SERGIO RAMOS claims he is not retiring from international football and will go to Qatar with a grey beard if needs be.
Spain were dumped out of the World Cup by Russia yesterday after a dramatic last 16 penalty shoot out.
And a number of players are expected to follow Andres Iniesta’s lead in calling time on their Spain careers.
But Ramos, 32, is not one of them.
“F***, it’s difficult,” a teary Ramos said.
“It’s so many hours, so much effort and so much dedication. Maybe this wasn’t our best moment but we go home without having lost a game.
“I would like to carry on playing [for Spain] for many more years because I’m going home with a terrible pain. I’m going to have to go to Qatar with a grey beard if necessary."
Ramos was involved in Spain’s opener against Russia when the ball went in off Russian defender Sergei Ignashevich.
And he also felt he should have had a penalty in extra time with five minutes to go, but the referee refused to budge.
Spain were among the pre tournament favourites but join Germany, Portugal and Argentina in going home early.
Ramos added in a tweet: "It hurts a lot but nobody should doubt that we'll be back to try again and again. Some will go and others will come along but we'll all defend this shirt with passion and respect. In defeat I feel even more proud of being Spanish."
Spain’s exit opens up England’s side of the draw now with one from Croatia, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Colombia and England to reach the final.