Real Madrid have announced Nacho’s exit from the club ahead of his imminent transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah.
The Athletic previously reported that the 34-year-old defender, whose contract was set to expire this month, was closing on a deal to join the Saudi side.
Nacho, who is currently with Spain at the European Championship, has now officially ended his 23-year association with his boyhood club.
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He released a statement saying goodbye to Madrid’s fans, saying: “Dear Madridistas. I want to dedicate a few words to you, which are too few to express everything I feel at this moment.
“I am saying goodbye to the club of my life, Real Madrid. I arrived when I was 10 years old, I trained as a person and as a player, I learned to win and to lose, to fight and to suffer, to enjoy, and to always live with enthusiasm and determination. I learned everything I am today. I have been coming to train in the same place every day for almost 25 years, which is an understatement, learning the values of Madridismo, giving my life and fighting for this crest: you have given me everything.
“It’s very difficult for me, but now it’s time to leave with the confidence and peace of mind of knowing that I have always given my best to represent this crest, on and off the pitch. When I was a boy, I often dreamed of playing in our stadium, the Santiago Bernabéu, and today I have the honour 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 end as a Real Madrid player to be beautiful and at the top, and I can tell you that it is impossible to have a better one than this.”
Madrid president Florentino Perez said on Nacho’s exit: “Since he arrived at our youth academy as a child, Nacho has always been an example of improvement for everyone and has earned the love, recognition and admiration of all Real Madrid fans. Real Madrid is and will always be his home.”
Nacho joined Madrid aged 10 before making his senior debut for the club in 2011 under Jose Mourinho.
He went on to make 363 appearances, winning 26 trophies — equal most with Luka Modric — including five Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles.
Nacho was appointed club captain in the summer of 2023, succeeding Karim Benzema.
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What is Nacho’s legacy at Real Madrid?
Everyone at Real Madrid agrees on one word for Nacho Fernández: “exemplary”. The academy’s directors and staff, who use him as a role model for the new generations, the first team board, Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff and, of course, his former teammates.
Nacho has always been characterised by his professionalism. It’s hard for anyone to remember a training session in which he didn’t take it like a match, something that sources inside the team have always highlighted because it encourages commitment and competitiveness, the maximum demand, on a day-to-day basis.
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This work and desire to be a little better every morning at the Ciudad Deportiva will be missed because it was contagious for everyone, especially for the youngsters.
A youngster (and also a not-so-youngster) who came to Real Madrid and saw Nacho, with his CV, emptying himself in every training, had no choice but to do the same. And if he didn’t, he knew that Nacho, like other veterans, could give him a wake-up call.
It is also fair to point out that he has rarely made a bad face or given a bad reply, even though he has had some tough moments. For example, last season with David Alaba injured and Eder Militao coming off a serious knee injury, Ancelotti chose Tchouaméni, a midfielder, over him for the important Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City.
Nacho is not the most cheerful person in the dressing room, but that has not stopped him from being close at all times to everyone, and especially to the academy players and those who have needed him most.
Of course, there are many details that he also shows beyond Valdebebas, but which are not usually captured by the cameras. Two recent examples will serve to explain this.
Courtois returned to play in May, after being injured for the whole season with two knee problems and two operations. On his return, when the team surrounded Brahim to celebrate the 1-0, Nacho went for the goalkeeper, supporting him and giving him credit for a save made just before.
Kroos had his farewell weeks later to the Santiago Bernabéu in his final La Liga match for Real Madrid. As everyone stood with the German in midfield after the final whistle, Nacho went to find his wife on the touchline and carried her off to join the group.
(Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)