Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos asked Spanish FA head Luis Rubiales to help win Ballon d'Or in 2019 - report

Sergio Ramos asked Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales to apply pressure on UEFA in order to help him win the Ballon d'Or in 2019, according to a report in El Confidencial. The then-Real Madrid captain reportedly left multiple voice messages on Rubiales' phone, beginning in 2018, explaining why he felt he deserved football's most prestigious individual award and asking for help.

Ad/> El Confidencial plan to release the audio recordings online on Friday, but excerpts are already available. Liga‘More than a team-mate’ — Ronaldo pays glowing tribute to Marcelo after Madrid exit14/06/2022 AT 09:45 In one of the messages, Ramos said: «I would be grateful to you all my life.

Not only for me, but also because I think that Spanish football deserves it very much, I send you a hug.» Rubiales responded to Ramos' requests positively, saying he would do all he could to help but in the end Rubiales' help wasn't enough to get him over the line. It should be noted that at the time Ramos was still the captain of Spain, and thus Rubiales' relationship with Ramos was of paramount importance.

In the end, Barcelona's Lionel Messi won his record sixth Ballon d'Or (he has since added a seventh), edging out Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk. In fact, Ramos was not among the top 30 players named by France Football as nominees for the award with his Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric also surprisingly snubbed.

By December 2019, when the Ballon d'Or was awarded, Ramos was reaching the end of a glittering career with Real Madrid, during which he won five La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues among a total haul of 22 trophies. Ramos had also played a key role in Spain's historic three-peat of international trophies, starting all three of