Former Chelsea midfielder Ramires, once a familiar face on the Premier League and Champions League stages, has undergone a striking transformation since his move to China and subsequent retirement.
During his tenure at Stamford Bridge, Ramires etched his name in Chelsea’s history books, clinching five major titles over six prolific years. However, following the allure of lucrative prospects, the Brazilian made a high-profile switch to Jiangsu Suning in a £25 million transfer deal.
After three seasons in the Chinese Super League, Ramires bid farewell to his footballing journey abroad, opting to conclude his illustrious career with Palmeiras back in his native Brazil. Yet, a recent photo circulating on social media has captured the attention of fans, showcasing Ramires sporting a distinctly different appearance from his playing days, complete with a bold hairstyle and visible tattoos seldom seen before.
For those who fondly recall Ramires’ contributions at Chelsea, his iconic moments remain etched in memory. Notably, his unforgettable goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final stands as a testament to his impact, catalyzing Chelsea’s historic comeback at the Nou Camp en route to lifting the coveted trophy after a thrilling victory over Bayern Munich.
Furthermore, Ramires played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s Premier League triumph under the managerial helm of Jose Mourinho, adding to his trophy cabinet which already boasted accolades such as the Europa League and League Cup.
Upon his return to Brazil, Ramires continued to amass accolades, notably clinching the prestigious Copa Libertadores with Palmeiras in 2020, further cementing his legacy as a decorated footballer on both domestic and international fronts.
Ramires has previously defended his decision to move to China with many suggesting those who opted for a move to Asia did so because of the financial benefits. “I see a lot of people saying that I came to China just for the money, but that’s not true,” he said previously.
“If you look at the situation I was going through at Chelsea at the time of the transfer you will see that I was Hiddink’s last option in my position and this was frustrating me a lot. The situation was only getting worse and at that moment came the interest of the Chinese club.
“Jiangsu introduced me to a long-term project where I would be a key player, they offered me everything I could think of and more, and I decided together with my agent and family that this would be the best decision.
“The money issue weighed on the decision, I put it on the scale that I am already 29 years old and that an irrefutable opportunity like this may never come again. But the way things were happening at Chelsea was the main reason.”