Real Madrid defender to serve as Spain’s protector

After recently guiding Los Blancos to Champions League glory in Milan, Sergio Ramos is ready to lead La Roja in France.

Sergio Ramos’ role as Spain’s protector this summer will be to lead his side back to the top after the torrid experience in Brazil.

He was the last player to join up with the squad, but off the back of Champions League glory, the Real Madrid defender is eager for more success.

"We’ve become accustomed to always winning but it’s also possible to lose," he admitted.

"There are some fantastic sides which have demonstrated that and for that reason you must always lose with humility."

"When we lose and go through bad spells, we must use them to learn – this side, after an important learning curve in Brazil, is now back with great ambition."

"We cannot wait to keep making history because we have a great team and whenever we go into an important tournament like this one, we are extra motivated."

This is Ramos’ third European Championship and he forms part of a solid nucleus which has won it all since 2008.

Of those that remain from when Luis Aragones was in charge are Ramos, Iker Casillas, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and David Silva.

Vicente Del Bosque has undertaken his own silent revolution, with just 23.9 percent of players remaining from 2008, in 2010 he kept 65.21 percent of the players, just over half for the following two tournaments.