Nacho Fernandez explains Real Madrid exit – ‘I wouldn’t swap places with others’

Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez has spoken publicly for the first time since his exit from the club was confirmed earlier this week, describing it as the toughest of his life. Nacho arrived at the club at the age of 10 and leaves 24 years later, 26 titles richer, and as club captain.

Nacho was speaking from Spain’s training camp in Germany at Euro 2024, and decided to open his press conference with a general statement on his departure before questions began.

“Thank you very much for your patience these days and thank you for your respect. I imagined that the questions were going to come. The decision is the most difficult of my entire life. It is a considered and confident decision. I would lie to you if I have not had I had some doubts. I needed a new experience and I told the club months ago.”

“Everything is so beautiful that you have doubts and thoughts about holding on for another season. I was honest and I needed a new experience. And I never dreamed of the ending being this nice . It is a very considered decision that I have no doubts about, but I do it with confidence and tranquility, with the affection and respect of everyone. What I told my wife is that the affection I have felt over the last few weeks is the greatest title. Very happy and grateful to the club of my life. I have given everything and that is how I want to be remembered.”

In terms of why he took the decision, Nacho simply explained that he needed to try something new, after spending two thirds of his life at the club.

“I need a new experience. I could have lasted one more year. I would have been just as happy, but you know how demanding it is. Even if we win, nothing is worth anything other than being the best. There is nothing left for me to win with this shirt but of course I have the ambition to continue winning. It seems to me that it is the moment. It is difficult, but it is a decision made from within. There is no reason but it is what I feel.”

“I am prepared for what comes and very excited. There was no specific day [I took the decision]. The previous season I already had doubts and I made the decision to stay that was totally justified. I was challenged to be the captain and I wanted to win, but writing such a beautiful ending is impossible for me. I have felt loved. Of course there are difficult moments and of course they affect you, but there is no specific moment. To end like this is to put an end to it in the best way.”

He was again quizzed on when the decision was taken, but also if it was disappointing that he could not say farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu in a similar fashion to how Toni Kroos did.

“This is easy to answer. My trust in the club is so great that they have waited for me to have a new team signed. I have a lot to be grateful for. I would have loved to have something signed sooner. The club has behaved so well that they told me if I wanted to change my mind… I would have loved to say goodbye like Kroos, but I don’t need a farewell like that to know how much they love me at this club.”

“Would I have liked it? Yes. Will we do things differently in the future? That too. Nothing official has been made, but I’m going to Michel’s team, Al-Qadsiah. A different experience. I would have liked to come without talking about my future, but players are exposed to certain situations. [I’m] Grateful to the president of Real Madrid who is like a father to me.”