Nacho's Tearful Farewell: "This Club Means Everything to Me"
Nacho Fernández, now a defender for Al Qadsiah, tearfully stated this Wednesday during his official farewell as a Real Madrid player that the club, after almost 24 years in its ranks, "means everything" to him. He expressed his desire to be remembered as "a youth player who gave his all" for the club chaired by Florentino Pérez.
In an emotional event attended by his four children (Guillermo, Lola, Alejandra, and Nacho), his wife (María), his parents (José María and Maite), Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, and seven first-team members including coach Carlo Ancelotti and players Dani Ceballos, Andriy Lunin, Fran García, Brahim Díaz, Lucas Vázquez, and Thibaut Courtois, Nacho bid farewell with kind words for the club where he has spent his entire career since he was ten years old.
"This club means everything to me. Real Madrid will always be our home and our team. Now I'll join all my friends in cheering for Real Madrid. I want to be remembered as a youth player who gave his all for his club. From now on, I'll always shout, 'Hala Madrid,'" he said.
Nacho began his speech by acknowledging that he was facing a "difficult" but "extremely beautiful and emotional" day in which he wanted to thank Real Madrid for everything it had given him over almost 24 years, during which he won 26 titles, an absolute record for the club, shared with Luka Modric.
"I want to thank you for everything you've given me, more than I've given. Here, I've learned to fight, suffer, and strive. But most importantly, to live life with determination. With that determination, I've defended the Real Madrid crest my entire life. This club means everything to me and my family. I've spent almost 24 years making the journey to training, and it was like not leaving home because I was going to another home, with my other family," he said before shedding his first tears.
"That family includes everyone at the club. I climbed a step each season and finished the journey as the captain who lifted the fifteenth Champions League trophy, an immense pride. Today is a different day; my life is changing. I'm saying goodbye, giving all the strength I have from day one. This is the most beautiful ending I could imagine, leaving as captain, being important, and winning historic titles. I need to experience something new, face new challenges, and now is the time. Thank you to Real Madrid for making me feel like a happy and fortunate youth player," he added.
Nacho also had kind words for the president, Florentino Pérez, thanking him for understanding him throughout his career and for always supporting him when needed. He also thanked José Ángel Sánchez, Real Madrid's general director, for waiting "until the last moment" before deciding his future at the end of the season.
"Mister (Ancelotti), your demands made me strong, and with hard work, I achieved my goals. Teammates, you are undoubtedly the best. Thank you for everything. You've made my journey better, and thinking of you makes me happy. Best of luck in the future, which I'm sure will be magnificent," he said.
The now former Real Madrid defender did not forget to thank all the club's workers (marketing, security, physiotherapists, doctors, communication) for their dedication, and he sent a special message to his family: "Mom, Dad, all of this is thanks to you. You've made great sacrifices for me and my brother (Álex Fernández). Thanks to my sister Maite, who had to make trips to the Sports City so we could train. And thanks to my grandmother and my wife María, the best person in my life, who has suffered so much during my career, and without whom none of this would be possible," he concluded.
Nacho, in tears and applauded by those attending the event held at Valdebebas Sports City, said goodbye with a 'Hala Madrid!' before posing for a photo with his entire family and all the first-team teammates who came to bid him farewell. Also present at his farewell were important Real Madrid figures such as former player and current Real Madrid Castilla coach Raúl González, Football Director Santiago Hernán Solari, and Honorary President José Martínez 'Pirri'.
