Spain boss Luis Enrique eases injury fears after Sergio Ramos substitution

Spain head coach Luis Enrique clarified that Sergio Ramos’ half-time substitution had nothing to do with injury, instead managing his minutes ahead of two more 2022 World Cup qualifiers as he allayed concerns.

Real Madrid and Spain captain Ramos was replaced at the interval by Inigo Martinez, who gave away the penalty in Spain’s surprise 1-1 draw with Greece in Granada on Thursday.

Ramos missed two months of club football with a knee injury, the 34-year-old star defender returning earlier this month for games against Elche and Atalanta before missing Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Celta Vigo on Saturday due to a shin issue.

​”Sergio Ramos is perfectly fine,” Luis Enrique said post-game. “He didn’t play the last game with his club due to a blow.

“We had already decided in advance that he would only play the first half and he is perfectly fine.

“He is available for the following games.”

Ramos, who has a record 179 international caps, is in the mix for Spain’s upcoming qualifiers away to Georgia on Sunday and Kosovo on Wednesday.

 Cambio de la @Sefutbol en el descanso.

ENTRA | @InigoMartinez.

SALE | @SergioRamos.#ESP v #Gre | 1-0 | 49’ #SomosEspaña#SomosFederación pic.twitter.com/END1OMVwfB

— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) March 25, 2021