Real Madrid’s Ramos blasts Gerard Pique and Barcelona over VAR comments

Barcelona's Gerard Pique, Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos [Photo: Courtesy]

Real Madrid's veteran defender Sergio Ramos has hit out at rivals Barcelona and Gerard Pique over remarks that Los Blancos have been benefitting from referee decisions and VAR.

Madrid are LaLiga leaders after a comfortable 2-0 win over Real Mallorca, thanks to brilliant goals from Ramos and Vinicius Junior on Wednesday.

Ramos pointed out that people "shouldn't be imagining things" when it comes to Madrid benefitting from referee decisions.

The centre back said such comments are only being made now that Madrid have the edge in the 2019/20 title race.

Los Blancos reclaimed the top spot after LaLiga's return this month due to Barcelona's 0-0 draw with Sevilla last Friday, after which Pique suggested it would be hard to stop Madrid winning the title this season because referee and VAR decisions too often go their way.

"There's a lot of noise in the media because we're leaders again. They didn't talk so much before. They talk about VAR, but I don't think anyone has an advantage over the season,” the Spanish international told Movistar after the match.

"We don't pay attention to this noise. I don't think they [the referees] take any predetermined decisions. It seems like we should be thanking the refs for being leaders! People shouldn't be imagining things.

"We've been working hard and since the lockdown, we've been united, and we deserve to be where we are,” said Ramos.

Ramos, who scored a sensational free-kick in the 56th minute at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium, said team performances come before individual brilliance.

"I've always said this is a team game at the end of the day. The personal side makes you feel proud and motivates you but it's secondary. The most important thing is the consistency of the team. It's a job well done and three more points,” the Madrid captain said.

Sergio Ramos Vs Gerard Pique has been one of the big defensive debates of the modern era. [Photo: Courtesy]

Ramos further added: "The team was tired, we felt that. Obviously, we don't have long to recover between games, and we have to continue improving. We all know what our objective is but there are plenty of things we can improve.

"Our play stagnated a little at times, but I think we can generally improve in all aspects. We could have put the game to bed earlier and taken more chances, played with the ball in their half. That's what we want to do: we want to dominate more."

Ramos became the top-scoring defender in LaLiga history against Real Sociedad last week.

His free-kick goal on Wednesday made him the first defender to reach eight in a single season since Ezequiel Garay 13 years ago.

Zinedine Zidane’s men, seeking the club’s 34th LaLiga title, head to Espanyol on Sunday, with Mallorca facing Athletic Bilbao at San Mames a day earlier.