BY KOP CRITICS
the personality and the character. He has a winning mentality and he is the heart of the team.
“Will he feel any pressure when it comes to the World Cup because of what happened in the Champions League Final? No, I don’t even think about it.”
Salgado had a reputation for ruthlessness himself, and was once described by former team-mate Steve McManaman as “a genuine psychopath – even in training”.
So it’s perhaps no surprise he believes that the criticism 32-year-old Ramos has faced is unfair.
But he insists the Real star, currently preparing for his country’s World Cup bid, did not intentionally try to injure anyone in Kiev.
Salgado said: “If you want to be a top defender, you have to cross the line. I have never seen a defender not crossing the line.
“Did you see Rio Ferdinand not crossing the line? Did you see Fabio Cannavaro not crossing the line?
“The top defenders have to cross the line because every fight with the striker is life or death.
“We are talking about big competitions, not playing in the street for nothing. So yes, for sure, maybe one day he crossed the line. Who would not do something like that?
“I have never seen a top defender recovering the ball without crossing the line or being strong. It’s impossible, at least in professional football.
“To be honest, he has been unfairly treated – especially by Egypt, who are so mad about the situation with Salah. But there was no intention by Ramos to injure at all.”