OFFICIAL: Nacho Fernandez bids farewell to Real Madrid

Reports over the last few days have pointed to this, but there was no official confirmation... until Tuesday 25th June. Nacho Fernandez, one of the leading exponents of Real Madrid's youth academy over the last decade in the first team, will not remain with the club after the end of his contract with the club in 2024.

The Santiago Bernabeu outfit announced the player's departure in an official statement in which they thanked the defender for his services over the years. "Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and affection to Nacho, one of the great legends of our club. Nacho arrived at Real Madrid in 2001, at just 10 years of age, and has played at all levels of our youth academy until becoming a first team player in 2012. Since then, he has defended our shirt for 12 seasons in one of the most successful periods in the history of Real Madrid. In all this time he has played 364 games and won 26 titles: 6 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 La Liga, 2 Copa del Rey and 5 Spanish Super Cups," read part of the statement.

In the statement issued by the 'Merengues', president Florentino Perez had some affectionate words for Nacho for what he has done and represented for the club. "Since he arrived at our youth academy as a child, Nacho has always been an example to everyone and has the affection, recognition and admiration of all Madridistas. Real Madrid is and always will be his home", said the president.

 

June 25, 2024

For his part, Nacho published a letter on his social profiles in which he thanked the club, the president and the fans for everything he has experienced during his time at Real Madrid. "I say 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 learnt to win and to lose, to fight and to suffer, to enjoy, to always live with enthusiasm and determination [...] 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 [...] I would like you to remember me as a youth player who gave everything for his club. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. From today onwards I will shout for every title and every goal of this incredible family, Real Madrid of my heart! This is a see you soon, Madridistas," wrote the former Real Madrid centre-back.

Now, although the player is currently on international duty with Spain and playing in the European Championship, his future seems to be more than settled, as everything seems to indicate that the 34-year-old defender will be heading to the Qatar League, where Al Qadsiah are competing, a club that is looking to sign him for the next two seasons.