Sergio Ramos has sent a thinly-veiled dig at former employers Paris Saint-Germain when explaining his decision to return to Sevilla this summer. 

The Spanish legend started out with the Andalusian outfit more than two decades ago as a youngster, before emerging as a first-team talent at the age of 18. 

Ramos’ is one of the game’s most storied careers, lifting four Champions Leagues at Real Madrid and winning the World Cup with Spain in 2010, before a move to PSG two summers ago. 

Ramos’ departure at the end of last season saw one of the world’s greatest defenders of all-time leave as a free agent, and suggested that his exit was one motivated by ‘philosophy’ and ‘mentality’ rather than financial reasons. 

Sergio Ramos began his career at Sevilla, returning to the club 19 years after his debut

He hinted that his reasons for leaving PSG this summer were not financial but philosophical 

‘I’ve always moved for emotions and sensations,’ the Spanish great told Sevilla’s official website. ‘When they gave me the opportunity to choose a project is because I really believe in it. 

‘It’s the first time I’ve appeared since I left Paris, where I had the opportunity to continue but I thought the cycle was over, 

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‘It wasn’t a matter of money or a contract, but a question of philosophy, mentality, feeling. At Sevilla we come together in these values.

‘I had the opportunity to return home, do it as a leader with the hope of lifting a title. I wake up every day for this goal, I believe we can do it. We know it is very difficult, but the first thing we can do is believe in it.’

Ramos’ first spell at Sevilla saw him make just 43 appearances for the Andalusians, scoring three times before attracting the eye of Real Madrid. 

Ramos joined Los Blancos for a fee of around £23million (€27m) – a then record for a Spanish defender – and would go on to spend 16 years at the Bernabeu, later taking on the armband, before moving to PSG in 2021. 

On his return to Sevilla, though, his stated goal of lifting a title in 2023-24 may be one step too far, even the legendary defender. 

Despite their prestige in the Spanish game, the Rojiblancos are currently rooted to the bottom of LaLiga without a win in the new season, having finished 12th last season, although they did beat Roma to the Europa League title. 

Ramos spoke of his desire to win a title on his return to Sevilla, with the Rojiblancos bottom of LaLiga