Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos left out of Spain squad for Euro 2020

Injury-plagued centre-half pays price for lack of game-time this season

Sergio Ramos has won 180 caps for Spain, scoring 23 goals

Spain manager Luis Enrique has left Sergio Ramos out of his squad for this summer's Euro 2020 finals.

The veteran Real Madrid centre-back has had a nightmare, injury-hit season and has managed just 15 La Liga appearances, playing a total of five games in all competitions this year.

Ramos, 35, played for Spain in World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Kosovo in March but since then, has managed only one game – the Champions League semi-final second-leg defeat by Chelsea on May 5.

Ramos's team mate Dani Carvajal also missed out through injury meaning, remarkably, Enrique has not named a single Real Madrid player in his squad for this summer's tournament that was postponed last year because of Covid-19.

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has been included after Fifa approved his switch from France to Spain earlier this month.

Pacy Wolves forward Adama Traore and Paris Saint-Germain's Pablo Sarabia were surprise call-ups ahead of Iago Aspas, who finished the season as second highest Spanish scorer in La Liga with 14 goals. Only Villarreal's Gerard Moreno, who has been included, scored more than the Celta Vigo attacker, finishing with 23 strikes.

"I've not included Ramos because he's not been able to play much this season, especially since January he's not been fit enough, and at times not even training with the group at his club," Enrique told a news conference on Monday.

Chelsea 2 Real 0: player ratings from Ramos' last game for Los Blancos

CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS: Edouard Mendy 8 – Pulled off two spectacular saves to deny Benzema and ensure Chelsea kept their deserved advantage in the tie. Aside from those stops, commanded his area well and was reliable under the high ball. Getty Images

Andreas Christensen 8 – Danish centre-back played his part in a rock solid defensive performance from Chelsea. Positionally excellent, strong in the challenge, and brought the ball out confidently combined with good distribution. PA

Thiago Silva 8 – A second successive Champions League final for the classy Brazilian, who marshalled the Chelsea defence with his typical composure. Had a couple of good chances to get on the scoresheet, too. Reuters

Antonio Rudiger 9 – The German has been rejuvenated under Thomas Tuchel. Dominated in the air, won every tackle, and his sharp anticipation allowed him to cut off Real Madrid attacks and balls over the top. Reuters

Cesar Azpilicueta 9 – The Chelsea captain led by example. His positional discipline and concentration saw him keep former teammate Hazard quiet and he helped launch counter-attacks down the right side. EPA

N’Golo Kante 8 – Man of the match in the first leg, dominant again in the second; the French midfielder produced another trademark performance of breaking up play all over the pitch, protected his defenders, and offered support in attack. Will never be judged on his finishing but should have done better when through on goal. Getty Images

Jorginho 7 – Italian midfielder went about his usual business, delivering measured passes and holding his position well in a game Chelsea dominated. However, his team’s lack of possession meant he was not as influential as in games when the Blues control the ball. AP

Ben Chilwell 7 – The English wing-back comfortably won his duel with Vinicius Junior and offered a frequent option in attack. Should have had an assist if Werner had checked his run. Getty Images

Kai Havertz 8 – The 21-year-old German is getting better by the week after a stop-start season. Always looked dangerous on the ball, ran Ramos and the rest of the Madrid backline ragged, and his clipped effort against the crossbar led to Werner’s opener. Hit the bar again with a header and should have scored when one-on-one with Courtois. His uptick in form bodes well for next season. EPA

Timo Werner – 7 – Scored his first goal from open play in the Champions League this season with a point-blank header into an open goal. Beyond that vital contribution, his pace and dribbling caused Madrid plenty of problems. Should have scored earlier but strayed offside. EPA

Mason Mount 8 – Chelsea’s player of the season was instrumental once again. Despite not seeing as much of the ball as he would have liked, Mount was always dangerous on the break and helped the Blues launch numerous counters. Scored the goal that killed the tie, although should have done so earlier when he blazed an effort over the bar. EPA

SUBS: Christian Pulisic (for Werner 68’) 8 – Perhaps smarting at not making the starting XI after his goalscoring contribution in the first leg, the American forward played like a man with a point to prove. Ripped Madrid apart every time he was on the ball and set up Mount for the all-important second goal. Getty Images

Reece James (for Azpilicueta 88’) – N/R – Sent on to give Chelsea fresh legs after Azpilicueta’s all-action display. Reuters

Hakim Ziyech (For Mount 89’) – N/R – Another substitution to provide late energy for Chelsea as the Blues looked to see out the game. Reuters

Olivier Giroud (For Havertz 90’) – N/R – Classic time-wasting substitution from Tuchel. Reuters

REAL MADRID PLAYER RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois 7 – Couldn’t do much to prevent either goal but kept his side in the tie with save after save until Mount’s late finish. EPA

Ferland Mendy 6 – Returning to the side after injury, the French full-back struggled to make much of an impact in forward areas and was often exposed when Chelsea countered. Getty Images

Sergio Ramos 5 – Rushed back into the team after a six-week layoff, Ramos was understandably off the pace. Given the runaround by Havertz and the rest of the Chelsea attack. Picked up a booking for a rash challenge. Reuters

Eder Militao 6 – Struggled against the pace of Werner and was often left outnumbered down his side of the pitch. Reuters

Nacho 7 – The pick of the Real Madrid defenders but his frustrations threatened to boil over and was booked for his clash with Havertz. EPA

Luka Modric 5 – The Croatian midfielder looked leggy and his impact on the game was limited. One tame long-range effort straight at Mendy summed up his performance. Reuters

Casemiro 6 – The Brazilian played his part in helping Madrid maintain possession and stuck to his defensive duties, although given his role in the team, was guilty of allowing Chelsea the time and space to launch their many counter-attacks. AFP

Toni Kroos 5 – Similar to Modric, the German’s creative influence was practically non-existent. Struggled to stamp any authority on the game. AFP

Eden Hazard 4 – Back at the club where he became a superstar, the Belgian was completely ineffective, save for one decent strike that was easily dealt with by Mendy. Looked a player short of match fitness. PA

Karim Benzema 6 – The French striker was once again his team’s main attacking threat and he was twice denied by superb stops from Mendy. However, beyond those efforts, never again tested the Chelsea goal. EPA

Vinicius Junior 5 – Easily dealt with by Chilwell when in attack and struggled with his defensive duties. A quiet, ineffective game from the Brazilian. Getty Images

SUBS: Federico Valverde (for Mendy 63’) 5 – Brought on in an attacking switch, the midfielder struggled to make much of an impact, although produced a fine last-ditch block on Kante. PA

Marco Asensio (for Vinicius 63’) 5 – Another change from Zidane that ultimately made little difference to the outcome of the game. AP

Rodrygo (for Casemiro 76’) 6 – Had a few glimpses that demonstrated the danger he can provide but didn’t get enough time on the pitch or on the ball. EPA

Mariano Diaz (For Hazard 90’) – N/R – Sent on for Hazard but had few minutes to impact the game. AP

"It wasn't easy, but I called him last night [Sunday] and we had a difficult and tough conversation. I feel bad as he's a player who has always been at the top level and has a future with the national team.

"It's a decision that I've taken for the good of the national team and the group as a whole."

Ramos admitted on social media that while "it hurts" to miss out on the finals, he needed time to recover fully from his injury problems.

“I have fought and worked every day, in body and soul, to be able to reach 100 per cent for Real Madrid and the national team but things don’t always work out the way we’d like," he tweeted.

“It pains me not to have been able to help my team more and not to play for Spain but, in this case, the best thing to do is rest, fully recover and come back next year like we’ve always done. It hurts not to represent your country, but I have to be honest and sincere.

"I wish all my teammates the very best of luck and I hope we have a great Euros. I’ll be another fan cheering on from home.”

Spain, who take on Portugal and Lithuania in friendlies at the start of June, are in Group E alongside Sweden, Slovakia and Poland.