Sergio Ramos has announced his farewell as a Sevilla player, stating he leaves "after achieving the two goals" he set before returning to his childhood club: "paying tribute to Antonio Puerta and José Antonio Reyes" and showing Sevilla fans his "feelings." However, he also mentioned that he hasn’t decided his future yet and has no agreements with any other club.

Ramos, 38, who chose not to extend his contract expiring on June 30, said in the press room of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium, alongside club president José María del Nido Carrasco, that "leaving home isn’t an easy decision," but that "in life, you have to know when to say goodbye and close chapters" despite "the club doing everything possible for him to stay."

"The president even offered, as he mentioned earlier, a lifetime contract, and I appreciate that. So, I leave the same way I came, with a sincere hug for everyone. This decision is based on family and personal reasons," said Ramos, who denied having "anything signed with any other team," though he showed a preference for the US league, "an attractive country for its quality of life and philosophy."

Ramos reiterated that "money was never a problem" for staying or leaving Sevilla. He informed the club of his decision before the end of June because he "wanted the club to have enough time to plan for the new season," leaving with "his head held high and a clear conscience."

The former Real Madrid captain wasn’t deterred by the "delicate phase" Sevilla is going through socially and economically, as he "already knew about this tough moment when he decided to come," but he emphasized that he "likes challenges and wanted to help" because "being a Sevilla fan is in the blood from birth."

Ramos, who is "sure the club will overcome" the current crisis, stated that he has "enjoyed this season filled with great feelings thanks to the trust of the president and the entire club," and he "felt things he hadn’t felt since he was very young."

"The Sevilla fans made me feel at home from the first day I stepped onto the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán pitch. The fans forgave my mistakes and allowed me to live unique moments," said the Andalusian defender.

The Sevilla president, in his speech, said, "this is not a goodbye, but a see you later," as "Sergio will always have the doors of Sevilla, his home, open to return." He thanked him "for leading the team in such a difficult season by turning down an offer eleven times higher" than what Sevilla offered.

Del Nido Carrasco thanked him for his "leadership" and his will to "reconcile with Sevilla fans," something he "achieved by proving true" what he said in their "first meeting last summer: that he still had a lot of football in him."

Ramos, who played 50 official matches for Sevilla between 2004 and 2005 before being transferred to Real Madrid, concludes his second stint at Sevilla with 37 matches played, scoring seven goals and providing one assist.

The defender returned last summer to Sevilla, the club where he was trained, after playing for Real Madrid for sixteen seasons and Paris Saint-Germain for two years.