This Saturday at 18:30, Sergio Ramos faces his old club in a Sevilla jersey, a twist that reopens a memory lane in Spanish football. The clash mirrors a moment from May 14, 2005, when the sport seemed trapped in a long ice age for many fans. Spain had only the 1964 European Championship in its cabinet, and lifting the World Cup felt like a distant dream. The ceiling was low for triumphs, and advancing past the quarterfinals looked like a stretch for most teams.
That same day became a turning point. Messi’s Barcelona clinched their first league title in a match where the Argentine did not step onto the pitch. He was on the bench as Frank Rijkaard watched from the dugout, and the cup was secured after a 1-1 draw with Levante. Barcelona lined up with Valdés on the bench, and the lineup featured Oleguer, Puyol, Márquez, Van Bronckhorst, Sylvinho, Iniesta, Motta, Xavi, Deco, Giuly, Eto’o and Ronaldinho. Messi watched from the sidelines as Barça ended a six-year drought in league glory.
Zapatero and ‘Black Shirt’
Spain was led by the PSOE government, with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero occupying Moncloa from 2004 to 2011. In music charts that week, Colombian icon Juanes topped the top 40. Eleven days later, on May 25, 2005, one of the most memorable finals in European Cup history took place at Istanbul’s Atatürk Stadium. Rafa Benítez managed Liverpool, with Xabi Alonso later coaching Bayer Leverkusen. Real Madrid faced a strong lineup and, despite a dramatic season, faced Juventus in a narrative of ups and downs. The Reds clinched the Champions League in a dramatic penalty shootout. Real Madrid made it to the last 16 after a 1-0 win against Juventus in Turin.
Later, Luis Aragonés was appointed national coach on July 1, 2004, building a team that would leave a lasting mark on world football after winning European titles and a World Cup. Iñaki Sáez laid foundations with a style centered on possession and quick transitions that would influence generations.
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That Saturday, Ramos opened the scoring in Seville in the 19th minute after a short free kick from a Brazilian player and a powerful strike from distance. Iker Casillas could have prevented it. The match then saw an own goal, followed by a 1-2 with Zidane, and later Baptista added another. Real Madrid fielded an eleven including Casillas; Salgado, Helguera, Samuel, Roberto Carlos; Beckham, Gravesen, Zidane, Raúl; Owen and Ronaldo, with Vanderlei Luxembourg on the bench. In Seville, Kaparros and Ramos shared a locker room with Jesús Navas, signaling the blend of youth and experience in the squad.
Talk of transfers surrounded the young defender. Florentino Pérez looked to strengthen the defense with Ramos, though the 2005–06 season started with him playing his first match for Real Madrid away to Racing de Santander at the Pizjuán. News soon confirmed the transfer was finalized, bringing Ramos into Real Madrid’s orbit for the 2005–06 season, joining a cast that featured figures like Figo, Conceiçao, Makelele, Zidane, Ronaldo and Beckham among others. The squad that year included players such as Robinho, Baptista, Cicinho, Diogo, Cassano, Pablo García, and Gravesen.
Real Madrid rose to the top
After nearly two decades, Real Madrid returned to Seville with a renewed look. Jude Bellingham emerged as a key figure, leading the team to eight wins and a single loss in the derby against Atlético. He became the league’s top scorer with eight goals. Carlo Ancelotti reshuffled the tactical setup, and there was ongoing chatter about new arrivals, including Mbappé potentially joining Paris Saint‑Germain.
Sevilla sat in 14th place, with two wins in eight league games and just two points above relegation. The Uruguayan coach would make his debut from the bench on a Saturday when Ramos, returning to the field, did not cross paths with the opponent as the Uruguayan manager, Diego Alonso, headed Tigres de Monterrey to conquer the Aztec League during the season Sevilla joined the league.
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Ramos’s arrival stirred debate among Sevillistas because the coach overseeing the team’s direction had led sides like Bella Vista, Guaraní, Peñarol, Olimpia, Pachuca, Monterrey, Inter Miami and the Uruguayan national team. Yet, this appointment was questioned by some observers who doubted the experience of a European league path. Ramos’s return to the field would close a circle with this match, reuniting him with old teammates and rivals. Sevilla has seven Europa League titles, Real Madrid five Champions League titles—marking a golden era of Spanish football. Yet in the moment of kickoff, the questions faded as Ramos aimed to score again in a Sevilla jersey on May 14, hoping to outshine Iker Casillas, the goalkeeper who had grown into more than a teammate and brother on the pitch.
[Attribution: EFE]