Sergio Ramos has a lot to prove during his second season at Paris Saint-Germain.

While the Real Madrid icon is undoubtedly one of the greatest male defenders of the modern era, his move to the Parc des Princes last summer has hitherto represented a huge disappointment.

Despite being signed with great fanfare alongside Lionel Messi, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Achraf Hakimi amongst others, Ramos seemed to fade into the background with a series of injury problems vastly limiting his game time.

Ramos preparing for a crucial season

A series of calf problems meant that the Spaniard spent no less than 197 days on the treatment table during the 2021/22 season, leading to suggestions that the cracks were beginning to form at 36 years old.

Ramos ultimately ended his debut campaign at the Parc des Princes with just 12 appearances, eight starts and, naturally, one red card.

All in all, it led to a situation where rumours were abound that Ramos would be leaving PSG as swiftly as he arrived with former club chief Leonardo even insinuating that the transfer was a mistake.

However, with rumours and reports of an exit having cooled and Ramos still having one year left on his contract, it seems to be all steam ahead for the central defender to put things right in his second season.

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Lorient v Paris St Germain - Stade du Moustoir, Lorient, France - December 22, 2021 Paris St Germain's Sergio Ramos in action REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

Ramos looking in incredible shape

And you certainly can't accuse him of not putting in the hard yards during pre-season with the iconic defender uploading a series of photos and videos to social media showing what incredible shape he's in.

It's no small secret that Ramos has undergone a body transformation over the course of his career in which he's matured and grown into a lean, muscular physique symbolic of his athletic excellence.

And if his latest posts are anything to go by, the former Real captain hasn't taken his foot off the accelerator for a single second because he still looks absolutely shredded in his mid-to-late thirties.

So, be sure to check out the phenomenal shape that Ramos has whipped himself into ahead of what could well be his final season at the highest level of European football by checking out his uploads below:

He. Means. Business.

Ripped physique at 36

As much as we take for granted, say, Cristiano Ronaldo looking like a Greek God as he approaches the age at which most players hang up their boots, Ramos is a reminder that he isn't alone in keeping himself in tip-top condition at that age.

While having the stereotypical 'Love Island' physique is no guarantee of wellbeing - healthy bodies come in all different shapes and sizes - there's no denying that Ramos' personal transformation has run parallel to his evolution into one of the greatest defenders of all time.

Age catches up on everybody, so we can't necessarily assume that Ramos will return in world-beating form, but it's vastly apparent that he's putting in the hard yards to give himself the best possible chance of success.

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Angers v Paris St Germain - Stade Raymond Kopa, Angers, France - April 20, 2022 Paris St Germain's Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

And you can rest assured that if PSG can call upon a fully-fit and in-shape Ramos next season that the gamble they made last summer will undoubtedly have paid off.