Sergio Ramos has revealed that he had to have pain-killing injections to keep playing for Real Madrid.
Real stopper needed pain-killing injections
Sergio Ramos has revealed that he had to have pain-killing injections to keep playing for Real Madrid last season, but he will not be pushing himself so hard this term.
The Spain international is back after a summer of recuperation from injury and has vowed not to push himself to breaking point again.
Lack of rotation within the squad and a huge number of matches took its toll on the defender, but he is now back and feeling refreshed and ready to play again.
"I played a lot of matches including the European Championship and the body can only take so much," he told
AS and
Cadena Ser.
"I was sidelined for two-and-a-half months after the Confederations Cup, so I started off with a clean slate and with batteries recharged.
"Two years ago I received injections during two matches but then stopped because I broke my nose. I received even more last year because there weren't enough players on the team.
"It helps on the day of the match, but then you feel the side effects. There were no rotations and we played every match. I will take better care of myself and do things the right way.
"I feel a lot better now. I was bothered by a nagging injury and because I didn't have the time to slow down, it never got better. I am now starting from scratch."
