Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free
Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Sergio Ramos revealed that his family and children have received death threats following the Champions League final, where he collided with Mohamed Salah and caused the Liverpool winger to come off in the first half.
The Wembley crowded booed Ramos during England’s 2-1 defeat against Spain in their opening Uefa Nations League match, but the controversial defender, who is no stranger to being jeered at, says supporters need to consider the wider picture.
"One tries to evade [the boos]. In the end you feel it, but I stay out of everything. It doesn't affect my game,” he said after the match.
England vs Spain - player ratings
Show all 22
"I would have liked another reception because people only remember the action of the final, and nobody remembers the death threats that my family and my children received.
"It is a very sensitive issue that people maybe take as a joke about and whistle in a great stadium like this. My conscience is very clear. I already explained, and I do not have to give more explanations,"
Ramos was not expecting to be booed at Wembley and reiterated his innocence over the challenge in May's final.
Mohamed Salah injured in Champions League final
Show all 12
"You never expect a reception that is not good because, as I said the other day, if these [English] fans have something good, it is that they have always been with the great players. It has not been like that, but I am very calm, with my conscience very clear in that aspect.
"As I said before, I have never tried to hurt a colleague. There are people who may have misunderstood it, but these are football things. It will not change anything in my game or in me."
Marucs Rashford gave England the lead at Wembley by capping off a fine flowing move, but Saul Niguez made it level two minutes later and Rodrigo completed the first-half comeback.
England may feel they deserved a point and were denied a late Danny Welbeck equaliser by the referee, who harshly ruled out the goal for a foul in the build-up.
David De Gea was getting back to his best after a poor World Cup and brilliantly denied Rashford’s header from close range. Ramos said that the Spain and Manchester United number one is regaining his confidence and thrives in the big moments.
"He is a great goalkeeper. We have always said it," Ramos said. "The big games are those that mark the great players. After a World Cup with many doubts, he deserved [a performance such as this].
"He is a great goalkeeper, and today he has [had] a great game, he has made some interventions that have marked the result of the game. Hopefully it is also a beginning, and that will help him to gain confidence because he is a key player for us."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies