Ramos apologises for Messi tackle

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, red-carded for a tackle on Lionel Messi during the team's 5-0 pasting by Barcelona, said on Wednesday he had never "wanted to hurt" the Argentine star.

"No player can say he has been injured by Sergio Ramos," he told a news conference.

"I didn't think my actions through and I admit I made a mistake, but I never wanted to hurt Leo Messi or any other player. I never step onto the pitch with that mentality. I wish to apologise to all those who got the wrong impression of me on Monday, especially children."

Ramos, part of Spain's World Cup-winning squad, was sent off in the final minute of Monday's 'clasico' match in Barcelona for a terrible foul on Messi.

Ramos said he had also apologised by telephone to Xavi and to Carles Puyol, whom he had pushed after being sent off as tempers flared.