Sergio Ramos broke down in tears on Thursday as he officially announced his exit from Real Madrid after 16 years.
The 35-year-old has suffered a frustrating injury-hit season where he has managed just 15 La Liga appearances and played just five times since the start of the year.
Ramos was also left out of Spain's Euro 2020 squad due to his relentless injury problems this campaign
His contract expires at the end of the month and he was unable to agree a new deal with Los Blancos.
At a farewell press conference, Ramos said: "You're never prepared to say adios to Real Madrid but the moment has arrived, this is a see you soon because sooner or later I will return to Real Madrid.
"I'll always keep Real Madrid in my heart. A marvellous stage in my life is over, but a new exciting future awaits and I am looking forward to showing my level and winning some more trophies.
"I would like to thank the fans, they carried me in their arms at all times. I would have liked to say goodbye at the Bernabeu. But I will always carry you in my heart."
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Ramos of Real Madrid kisses the trophy after winning the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in 2016. -
Ivan Helguera celebrates with Zinedine Zidane and Sergio Ramos after a goal during a La Liga match against Malaga in 2005. Getty -
Sergio Ramos beats Maksim Shatskikh of Dynamo Kiev to a header during a Champions League mtch in 2006. -
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah lies on the ground injured after challenge by Sergio Ramos in the 2018. Champions League final. -
Ramos celebrates winning the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in 2014. -
Iker Casillas and Ramos after winning the Champions League in 2014. Getty -
Sergio Ramos after scoring a La Liga against Malaga in 2005. -
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his side's first goal with Sergio Ramos during the Champions League final against Juventus in 2017. -
Ramos after scoring a penalty during the La Liga match against Atletico Madrid in February, 2019. -
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane and captain Sergio Ramos pose with the La Liga trophy in July, 2020. -
Sergio Ramos and Pepe kiss the trophy after defeating Barcelona during the Supercopa in 2012. -
Sergio Ramos lifts the Champions League trophy in 2017. -
Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid is shown a red card by referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco during a La Liga match against Barcelona in 2014. -
Ramos celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in 2016. Getty -
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos after scoring the opening goal in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Juventus in 2015. -
Referee William Collum shows the red card to Sergio Ramos during the Champions League match against Galatasaray in 2013. -
Ramos celebrates with the Champions League trophy after Real's victory over Liverpool in 2018. -
Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos with the Copa del Rey after beating Barcelona in 2011. -
Sergio Ramos and Pepe celebrate after Ramos scored Real's opening goal against Getafe in 2012. -
Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring during La Liga match against Mallorca in 2009. -
Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Ruud van Nistelrooy with `La Liga trophy in 2008. -
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho with Sergio Ramos in 2011. -
Sergio Ramos pushes Barca's Carles Puyol during a La Liga match in 2010. -
Sergio Ramos celebrates a goal during La Liga match against Valencia in 2007. -
David Beckham celebrates with Sergio Ramos after a Real goal against Deportivo La Coruna in 2007. Getty -
Ronaldinho of Barcelona and Ramos in action during a La Liga match in 2006. -
Liverpool's Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah is hauled down by Ramos in the Champions League final in 2018.
Ramos also said that he was going to accept Real's offer of a new contract only to find that deal was no longer on the table.
"The first thing I'd like to say is that I've never wanted to leave Real Madrid, I've always wanted to stay.
"To give details and to be brief, I go back to the lockdown LaLiga title, which we won and celebrated. After that, the club offered me the opportunity to extend my contract, but because of Covid it was put on the back burner.
"In the last few months, the club made me a one-year offer with a salary reduction. Money was never a problem; the president knew that I'd made clear that it wasn't an economic issue. It was a problem in terms of years; they offered me one year and I wanted two, it was stability for my family.
"In the last conversations I said that I accepted and they told me that there was no longer an offer. I was told that even though I had agreed to the last offer that was on the table, I was told that it had an expiry date and I hadn't heard about it."
Ramos won four European Cups, four World Club Cups, three European Super Cups, five La Liga titles, two Copa del Reyes and is Madrid's second most decorated player in their history behind Paco Gento.
Despite the tearful finale after such a distinguished career in the Spanish capital, Ramos refused to point the finger of blame at Florentino Perez. "My relationship with the president has been extraordinary, it's like father and son, I'll always be eternally grateful," he said.
"He brought me to Real Madrid and I'm not going to make any statement against him, because in families there are also fights and everyone has to look after their own interests, but today I'll remember that hug we gave each other at the event."
