Ramos: Nothing compares to World Cup

Sergio Ramos wants to win a third European Championship with Spain but ‘nothing compares’ to winning the World Cup.

The Real Madrid defender was part of the team victorious in South Africa in 2010 and has two European Championship medals, from 2008 and 2012, but admitted in an interview with FIFA’s official website that Brazil 2014 was hard to forget for other reasons.

“I was fortunate enough to be at South Africa 2010. There is no joy that compares to winning the World Cup,” he insisted.

“It requires huge sacrifice, it’s very difficult. You need humility, hard work and a little bit of luck too.

“But obviously Brazil [2014] left a very sour taste in the mouth.”

Spain this summer play their first international tournament since their first round exit two years ago in France, and Ramos believes La Roja have a good chance of the three-peat even after some high-profile withdrawals.

“We’re the defending champions. I’ve had the great privilege of winning it twice and I’d love to do it a third time,” he added.

“Some important players have retired, like Xavi [Hernandez] and Xabi Alonso, two central midfielders who defined an era and gave a great balance to the national team.

“But today we’ve got a good blend of veterans and young players hungry to do big things.

“We can be confident with the team we’ve got but we’ll let our football do the talking.”

Ramos, a title and Champions League winner with Madrid as well as successful internationally with Spain, stressed his desire to keep adding silverware.

“I’m an optimist, I’m ambitious and I like to win every day. Whatever I won in the past is in the past, and I’d like to add a lot more titles to my collection,” he confirmed.

“I’ll have time to appreciate what I’ve done in my career when I retire.”