Real Madrid and Spain defender Sergio Ramos says the national team does not need to change their style despite a host of icons retiring after the abysmal World Cup showing.
La Roja went into the tournament in Brazil this summer as defending champions but were humiliated by Holland and beaten by Chile as they failed to make it out of the group stage. Since then, national heroes such as Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernandez have retired, while the likes of David Villa, Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina have seen the curtain fall on their international careers too.
Speaking before Vicente del Bosque’s side take on France in a friendly on Thursday, Ramos told journalists that despite a bad performance in Brazil, La Roja are still a force to be reckoned with having won three major tournaments in a row – Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012.
For that reason, Ramos says, the players should go out and play the football they are used to and enjoy themselves. He added the senior players in the squad need to help the new ones understand what it’s like to play for La Roja.
In quotes published by AS, Ramos stated: “I don’t think there’s a theme of a change. The national team has always had its identity and that shouldn’t change even if players have left the team. We are here to help the new players adapt in the best way but in the end we all go to do things right.
“Both Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso were important to the team, fundamental in the years of success, but we must not forget there’s a new generation with great enthusiasm and quality.”
