It’s official: Nacho is going to Arabia

Now it’s official: Nacho says goodbye to Real Madrid and heads to Arabia. Stamped signature. The program has been closed since Saturday, when he gave the go-ahead for the operation and left everything at the expense of the doodle. He has already undergone a medical examination and signed his name yesterday. It is final and cannot be renewed. He will spend the next two seasons (until he turns 36 years old) in the Al-Qadsia, recently promoted to first. A small project, but within the “Saudi scale”: there such a degree corresponds to a club that can afford to give a player 10 million net per course. How much will Nacho charge? It won’t be the fifthOne club man» Chamartina. We are heading to Arabia.

“Since he came to our quarry as a child, has always been an example of improvement for everyone and he receives the love, recognition and admiration of all Real Madrid fans. “Real Madrid is and will always be his home,” he said. Florentino Perezthrough official club channels. A farewell message, followed by a farewell, already signed by the entity: “All Real Madrid fans feel enormous pride in one of the most legendary young players in our history.. Real Madrid wishes him and his entire family the best of luck in this new phase of his life.“

Nacho menu

“Dear Madrid residents. I want to dedicate a few words to you, which are not enough to express everything I feel at this moment. I say goodbye to the club of my life, Real Madrid. I arrived when I was 10 years old, I was formed as a person and a player, I learned to win and lose, fight and suffer, have fun and always live with enthusiasm and determination.

I learned everything I am today. I come to train 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 is very difficult for me, but now it is time to leave with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that I have always done my best to represent this shield, on and off the field. When I was a child, I dreamed many times of playing at our Santiago Bernabeu stadium, and today I have the honor of ending my time as the captain who managed to lift our 15th Champions League. There are no words to express my feelings. I always wanted my final as a Real Madrid player to be beautiful and the best, and I can tell you that it is impossible to achieve a better final. Months of thought, indecision and doubt have passed, but today I come to tell you that I need to have one last and unique experience with my family and this is the perfect time.. Thank you, Real Madrid, for understanding me.

The president: Thank you for your help and faithful trust in me every moment. Equipment: you are my brothers. The best players, teammates and FRIENDS a captain could have. Just the thought of you makes me happy. Mister: You made me better because you demanded me to improve at every moment. Thank you for caring about me and understanding me. Madridistas: Your demands make us great players. Thanks for all. Playing for you and feeling your warmth made me stronger. Don’t forget… Until the end!!

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

Thank you also to my parents, my wife and children, my family and friends who held my hand along this path and never let me go. Sometimes it was not easy, but your efforts and support allowed me to fulfill my 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 the young man who gave EVERYTHING for his club. Thank you from all my heart. From now on, I will shout about every title and every goal of this incredible family. Real of my heart! See you soon, Madridistas“

Where are you going to play?

He Al-Qadsia, truly unknown to the vast majority of fans. Logical. This is the team that remains second place leader this season, ascending to the elite and moving up a notch in his ambitious private project: one day he will be able to compete with Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal or Al-Nasr. His trainer is Michel. (he arrived to take up the baton of Robbie Fowler) and two Spaniards are active in their ranks: Joel Robles And Alvaro Gonzalez. Both of their contracts expire this summer, so there is no guarantee that they will become his teammates. There are several famous players on the roster: Vietto, Kevin Rodriguez (formerly Real Sociedad, Eibar or Rayo) or Andre Carrillo, for example (Uruguayan Naitan Nandez just announced his retirement). But Nacho becomes the standard.

100 kilometers from Qatar

Command with a special feature: He’s not even from Riyadh (the capital where Cristiano Ronaldo lives and where Neymar has also visited), neither from Jeddah (house of Benzema or Gabri Veiga, for example). These two cities, located in the center and on the west coast, contain the sporting – and financial – muscles of the giant country. Living on the street is not normal. But Nacho is going to do it: his team is from Al Khobar, a coastal region… in the east. The other end. Half an hour by car from Bahrain and 100 kilometers from Qatar. Rising region. Growing. But today they are much poorer than the capitals.

Modest stadium

Will play in Prince Saud bin Jalawi, the stadium is bigger than it seems. Because, despite the almost complete lack of funds and low structure, he has the opportunity almost 12,000 spectators. It is surrounded by an athletics track and is located just three kilometers from the coast. The infrastructure, yes, is very modest: In Saudi Arabia, more than half of the First Division stadiums are awaiting major renovations as they are still quite old in design.

. This is one of them. Nacho (in the background) arrives at the club under construction. And he sees the signing as a global springboard.

End of life

23 years have passed at Real Madrid, his home.. It was in 2001, at the age of 10, when he reached Factory. A short boy who came from San Gabriel and showed the way. Very polite, very hardworking. He rose through the ranks until he reached Castile, with which he was promoted to second place (2012). And from there to the main roster, debuting with Mourinho (2011, still has a post about the lower ones). Eleven seasons later, he leaves. And he does this after playing 364 official matches and become the player with the most titles in Madrid history (26, draw with Modric). Now a new adventure. Arabia, Al-Qadsia, two seasons. Who knows if they will be the last.