Ramos proud on eve of 100th cap

MADRID (AFP) –

Real Madrid’s Spanish defender Sergio Ramos celebrates after scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2013. Ramos was a proud man on Tuesday as he prepared to win his 100th cap for his country in Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Finland.

Spanish central defender Sergio Ramos was a proud man on Tuesday as he prepared to win his 100th cap for his country in Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Finland.

“Let’s hope everything goes off well and I can reach the 100 mark. Entering Spanish football history is not simple and I would be extremely proud,” said the Real Madrid star, World Cup winner and European champion.

Spain hope to see off the Finns before taking on France on Tuesday, having already dropped points against the latter in their previous group meeting.

Assuming he starts against the Finns in Gijon, Ramos will join clubmates Iker Casillas and Xabi Alonso, as well as Barcelona pair Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol and Chelsea‘s Fernando Torres in reaching a century of international appearances.

“What is more, I shall celebrate these 100 appearances when I am still young and at a key moment of my career,” said Ramos, who joined Real in 2005, the year he made his international debut.

He will only turn 27 on March 30.

“These two games are decisive for our World Cup qualification hopes,” he added.

Spain are currently joint top of Group I with France with seven points from three games, three clear of Georgia, while the Finns are bottom with just one point.