So much of Real Madrid and Spain's recent glory came with Sergio Ramos centre stage so it's no surprise the club's supporters are taking the 35-year-old's departure badly. But much of the upset is directed at the player himself for not agreeing a one-year deal with a 10 percent pay cut.
'Club before player, even if when it's Ramos' was the over-riding sentiment as the Madrid captain prepared to give his goodbye press conference today.
It has not been forgotten that it was only two years ago that he said: 'I would play for the club for free' in a press conference he requested to explain his decision to stay at the club despite mooted interest from China.