Nacho Fernández leaves Real Madrid after 24 years

Real Madrid announced this Tuesday morning that athlete Nacho Fernández has decided to leave the team after 24 years. The defender joined the Spanish club in 2001, when he was just 10 years old.

Nacho played in all of Real Madrid’s youth categories until he became a professional in 2012. Since then, there have been 12 seasons, with 364 games and 26 titles: six Champions Leagues, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four Championships Spanish Cups, two Spanish Cups and five Spanish Super Cups.

Nacho ends his time with the Merengue team by captaining the club to the club’s 15th Champions League. In a letter released to Real Madrid fans, the defender said how difficult the decision to leave the team was.

“I always wanted my end as a Real Madrid player to be beautiful and top-notch, and I can say that having a better end than this is impossible. It took months of reflection, indecision and doubts, but today I come to tell you that I need to live a last and different experience with my family, and this is the perfect moment. Thank you, Real Madrid, for understanding me”, he wrote.

Now, Nacho is free on the market and can join any club for free, with the team only needing to pay for salaries and gloves. According to the journalist Fabrizio Romanothe player has already signed a contract with Al Qadsiah, from Saudi Arabia.

👏 #Thank you Captain 👏 pic.twitter.com/SW28XRasXM

— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) June 25, 2024

Check out the full letter written by Nacho Fernández

“Dear Madrid fans, I want to dedicate a few words to you that are too few to express everything I feel right now. I say goodbye to the club of my life, Real Madrid.

I arrived at the age of 10, I graduated as a person and as a player, I learned to win and lose, to fight and suffer, to enjoy and always live with enthusiasm and determination.

I learned everything I am today. I’ve been training every day in the same place for almost 25 years, learning the values ​​of Real Madrid, giving my life and fighting for this shield: you gave me everything.

It’s very difficult for me, but now it’s time to leave with the confidence and peace of mind knowing that I’ve always done my best to represent this shield, on and off the field.

When I was a child, I often dreamed of playing in our stadium, the Santiago Bernabéu, and today I have the honor of ending my time as captain who managed to lift our 15th Champions League. There are no words to express my feelings.

I always wanted my end as a Real Madrid player to be beautiful and top-notch, and I can say that having a better end than this is impossible.

There were months of reflection, indecision and doubts, but today I come to tell you that I need to have one last, different experience with my family, and this is the perfect moment. Thank you, Real Madrid, for understanding me.

President: Thank you for your help and for your faithful trust in me at all times.

Team: you are my brothers. The best players, teammates and FRIENDS a captain could have. Just thinking about you makes me happy.

Lord: you made me better because of your demands of having to surpass me at every moment. Thank you for taking care of me and understanding me.

Madridistas: their demands make them great players. Thank you for everything. Playing for you and feeling the heat made me stronger. Don’t forget… Until the end!!

I want to send a message of gratitude to the hundreds of people who have worked with me over all these years and who have made me a better player and person. Coaches, physiotherapists, staff, doctors, communications and marketing, club workers… THANK YOU in capital letters.

Thank you also to my parents, my wife and children, my family and friends, who held my hand on this path without letting me go. Sometimes it wasn’t easy, but the effort and support allowed me to fulfill a dream and reach the top.

I say goodbye to you after 24 years of absolute dedication, passion and enthusiasm.

I would like you to remember me as a young player who gave EVERYTHING for his club. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

From today onwards I will shout every title and every goal from this incredible family. Real Madrid from my heart🤍!

This is a see you soon, Madridistas“, he wrote.