Sergio Ramos's desire to return to Sevilla FC has encountered an unexpected obstacle: LaLiga's economic control regulations. Although the veteran defender would be willing to play for the minimum wage or even "for free," the financial rules of the competition could artificially raise the cost of his registration, complicating an operation that the club already deems impossible due to lack of funds.
The Minimum Wage and the Valuation Committee
In the First Division, no footballer can earn less than 195,000 euros annually. However, to prevent fraud in the salary cap, LaLiga does not automatically accept such low wages for renowned figures. An independent Valuation Committee analyzes factors such as age, international appearances, and recent awards to set a "market value." If this body determines that Ramos should earn 2 or 3 million, that will be the figure counted against Sevilla's cap, regardless of what the player actually receives.
An Exception That Does Not Apply in the First Division
Unlike the Second Division, where players over 36 years old—like Santi Cazorla—can bypass these restrictions, there is no such automatic advantage in the First Division. At 39 years old and after his stint in Mexico, Ramos hopes that his international inactivity will help the tribunal believe in his reduced salary. However, with a crisis-stricken Sevilla repeatedly stating "there is no money," fitting his contract remains a legal and financial enigma.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
