When Sergio Ramos dropped the Copa del Rey from the top of a bus

Simon Lloyd

Ramos’ trophy drop was one of the more memorable moments of his Real Madrid career

In 2021, Sergio Ramos left Real Madrid as a bonafide club legend. Arriving from Sevilla when still just a teenager, he would eventually become captain, helping them to five La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns during his 16-year run at the Bernabeu. One of his most memorable moments with Los Blancos, however, is associated with the club’s Copa del Rey victory in 2011, when he famously dropped the trophy from the top deck of the team’s parade bus during celebrations.

Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey win was significant

Though Real Madrid is a club that prides itself on its rich history in the European Cup, the 2011 victory over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey felt significant.

At the time, Barca, who would win a second Champions League title in three seasons the following month, were being widely lauded as the greatest club side to ever grace the game and the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 had yet to stem the dominance of Pep Guardiola’s team.

Real had been thumped 5-0 in the first El Clasico of the season in the Camp Nou earlier in the season, and so when both teams reached the final of the Copa del Rey, Barca were viewed as the favourites to lift the trophy.

Ronaldo won the game in extra-time

After 90 minutes of play in Valencia, neither side had managed to score, despite both creating a series of decent chances. Lionel Messi looked to have given Barca the lead in the second half, but was adjudged to have strayed a fraction offside as the pass was slipped to him.

In extra-time, Ronaldo scored what proved to be the winner. A deep Angel Di Maria cross from the left touchline found him in space in the Barca area, his header planted firmly beyond Jose Manuel Pinto in the Barca goal.

Jose Mourinho’s side held on for the remainder of extra-time, sealing their first major trophy in nearly three years.

Ramos dropped trophy from bus

The victory sparked wild celebrations back in Madrid, where supporters began lining the centre’s streets in preparation for the team’s return from Valencia.

Having landed in the early hours of the morning, Real’s open-top parade bus slowly made its way through the city, en route to the Cibeles fountain where supporters traditionally gather to celebrate their victories.

Ramos had taken up a position at the front of the bus, the trophy perched on top of his head. As he jumped up and down, it slipped from his grasp towards the front of the bus, bouncing beneath its wheels. “The cup has fallen!” Ramos cried.

The bus came to a halt before a group of firemen salvaged the mangled remains of the trophy, which was not seen again for the rest of the celebrations.

Damaged trophy moved to museum

The damaged trophy was later moved to the Spanish Football Federation museum, while Real were issued with a replacement to display at the Bernabeu.

Years later, Ramos clearly saw the funny side to it in the aftermath of Manchester City winning the 2017/18 Premier League title.

While City celebrated their success, the trophy was knocked from its pedestal by Oleksandr Zinchenko, promoting teammate Ilkay Gundogan to ask if anyone knew of a place that specialised in trophy repairs.

‘I may know a few places, but I haven’t called since 2011,’ Ramos replied. ‘Letting the trophy fall is becoming a trend.’

I may know a few places, but I haven't called since 2011… 🤣🤣🤣
Letting the trophy fall is becoming a trend…😜🤣 @ManCity https://t.co/AFCuF5hdNY

— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) May 8, 2018