Sergio Ramos does not agree with Cristiano Ronaldo’s assertion that Real Madrid miss the players who left the Santiago Bernabeu during the transfer window.

Madrid offloaded Pepe, Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez, among others, ahead of the 2017-18 season and have endured a difficult start to the campaign, trailing LaLiga leaders Barcelona by eight points after 11 matches.

But Ramos has dismissed Ronaldo’s opinion as a simplistic take on Madrid’s struggles and pointed to injuries suffered by the likes of Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane as an alternative explanation

“I do not agree with Cristiano,” he told Cadena SER. “I think it’s an opportunist opinion.

“When we won two Super Cups [UEFA Super Cup and Supercopa de Espana], nobody missed anyone.

“I would place more of the emphasis on injuries. The team is stronger when we’re all together.

“I don’t miss anyone. No one.

“The squad has changed, of course, but some contribute some things and others have another role.”