Diolch Aaron

The time has come to say goodbye to Aaron Ramsey as a footballer. We all knew it was going to happen soon. But we hoped we would see one of the greatest players ever to pull on a Cymru shirt, run out to play in front of Y Wal Goch one more time. A legend that has done so much for Cymru football, getting us to and playing in three international tournaments. I never thought I would see Cymru playing in one international tournament, never mind three. A career that gave us ‘The Summer of our Lives’ in 2016.

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Being a Cardiff City fan with a soft spot for Arsenal, I have spent years cheering Aaron on in club football. I was at the game in Ninian Park in April 2007 when he came on against Hull to become Cardiff City’s youngest ever player at the age of 16 years and 123 days. This beat the record that was held by John Toshack since November 1965 by just three days. Even at that young age we could see he was going to be some player. Within a couple of seasons he was playing for Cymru Under 21’s. In 2008, shortly after signing for Arsenal, Ramsey earned his first cap at the age of 17, thanks to then Wales manager John Toshack.

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As I mentioned, if there was one Premier League team I personally didn’t mind him leaving Cardiff City for, it was Arsenal. During Ramsey’s time there he did turn into some player, playing 369 games and scoring 64 times. Including of course winning the FA Cup three times, scoring winners against Hull and Chelsea. During this same period came the summer that Cymru fans will never forget! Euro 2016 in France.

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Playing the first game in Bordeaux it was his pass to Hal Robson-Kanu in the 81st minute that led to the loudest roar I ever let out. The loudest before that was when Bale scored the first goal. Like thousands of others, I followed this by breaking down in tears at the final whistle (the first of many times during that summer), when we beat Slovakia 2-1. Add then one of the greatest overall Cymru performances from start to finish in the 3-0 win against Russia. From the 11th minute when Aaron scored we knew it was going to be a good night, but it was one of the best.

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Then on 1st July 2016, the match I still think about on a daily basis, Belgium. Aaron’s assist for Ashley Williams’ equaliser, then another assist for the greatest Cymru goal ever scored. The ball into Hal Robson-Kanu for the turn & goal that was a work of art. Sadly during that game Aaron picked up his second booking of the tournament, sacrificing his place in the Semi Final to stop a Belgium attack that would have possibly have ended up in a goal, when it was still 2-1 to Cymru. Two goals, those assists what a summer of memories Aaron give us!

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Then came another tournament, the following Euros and who scored the two goals against Hungary in Cardiff to see us qualify? Aaron leaped so high for the first goal that most of us in the ground thought it was the giant Kieffer Moore! Those Euros were ruined by Covid and UEFA planning. But we did get to celebrate the win against Turkey, Bale’s ball from just inside the half landed perfectly on the Red Dragon on Aaron’s chest before he half volleyed it into the net. Tournaments I never thought I would see Cymru play in my life time

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Two years later, we got to the World Cup. This was something I would dream of as a child. Sadly our dreams were not meant to be in that tournament, but we got to see Cymru in the World Cup.

It’s now time to say goodbye to the playing part of Aaron’s career, that saw three spells at Cardiff, as well as stints with at Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Juventus, Rangers, OGC Nice & Pumas UNAM.

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Diolch yn Fawr for the appearances and goals for Cardiff City. Diolch yn Fawr for your efforts in trying to keep us in the Championship. Diolch yn Fawr for all the memories you give us in the red of Cymru, memories that will last a lifetime.

All the best Aaron, hope to see you on the touchline soon. A true Cymru Legend.

Thanks to @StephenJBaker for this piece.

Main feature photo thanks to: Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons