Sergio Ramos eager for Barcelona to remain in La Liga

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has admitted that "it is difficult to imagine La Liga without Barcelona", as political tensions continue to rise in the Catalonia region.

There remains uncertainty over Barca's long-term future in the Spanish top flight after 90% of voters backed secession from Spain in this month's referendum.

Barcelona do not appear to be at any immediate risk of being booted out of the division, however, while club president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently allayed fears of his side withdrawing their status.

Ramos is hopeful that an amicable agreement can be reached one way or another, telling Onda Cero: "It is difficult to imagine La Liga without Barcelona. I would like Barcelona to continue in La Liga and that nothing changes.

"The situation in Spain hurts me because I think we are stronger together, and it hurts me that this is the image of Spain being seen worldwide. [But] I'm more worried that our [Spain's] national anthem has no lyrics than I am about the current situation in Catalonia."

Spain's prime minister Mariano Rajoy recently announced that he is sacking the Catalan government after it declared independence following a vote in the region's parliament on Friday.