Real Madrid are losing their “fireman”. With 34 years and six Champions League titles under his belt, captain Nacho is moving on – reportedly to the desert
Farewell with the Champions League final win: unlike Toni Kroos, Nacho is not ending his entire club career, but an incredibly successful chapter. Real Madrid’s captain is probably heading for the desert.
Although the 34-year-old central defender’s move to Al-Qadisiya in the Saudi Arabian Saudi Pro League has not yet been made official, Real announced the veteran’s departure on Tuesday. According to Spanish media reports, Nacho will sign a two-year contract with the promoted club based in Al-Chubar, which will earn him a much more lucrative salary than previously in Madrid. There is talk of ten million euros tax-free per year.
The “fireman” played through the back four
At Al-Qadisiya, which has never won a championship, the Spain international would meet coach Michel, who was a great player for the Whites in the 1980s and 1990s – as well as Koen Casteels, who is leaving VfL Wolfsburg, and former Mainz defender Alexander Hack.
In Nacho, Real Madrid are not losing an undisputed regular, but a great figure of identification. The versatile defender, who has played all positions in the back four over the years and earned a reputation as a “fireman”, has worn the club’s shirt since 2001 and has remained loyal to the club as a professional (from 2011). Even if he rarely made it beyond the second row in the squad
This career decision brought the right-footer numerous successes. Nacho has been part of four Spanish championship-winning teams, won the Copa del Rey twice and the Champions League six times. Together with Luka Modric, he is the player who has won the most titles in a Real shirt (26). In recent years in particular, Nacho has also been on the pitch himself in many important matches. He played a total of 364 games for the club, in which he scored 16 goals.
In Real’s press release, president Florentino Perez once again sang the praises of the departing captain: “Since he joined our youth academy as a child, Nacho has always been a role model for everyone and has received the love, recognition and admiration of all Real Madrid fans. Real Madrid is and always will be his home.” He will not earn them a transfer fee. Nacho’s contract at Real expires on June 30th
