"They offered me amounts I wouldn’t earn in Europe" - Nacho details reason for Real Madrid exit
Departing Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandes has revealed that his exit from the Spanish club was motivated by money. The Spanish international has spent his entire career with the Madrid giants and won every available trophy.
Nacho played 364 games for Los Blancos, scoring 16 and assisting 10 en route winning six UEFA Champions League, four La Liga and five Club World Cup titles.
Speaking about his decision-making process about leaving Real Madrid, Nacho said (via Managing Madrid):
“I feel calm and liberated. These past months have been very stressful because I knew this decision was coming. I am at peace, and, above all, happy.
"I knew people appreciated me, but not to this extent. I’ve cried a lot. These months were tough, as the team was competing for many things. I couldn’t wait for the season to end because of that.”
Nacho concluded:
“I knew I wouldn’t be playing in Europe. It could be Saudi Arabia or the United States. I needed a radical change, and Al Qadsiah offered me that. Real Madrid was the biggest project of my life, and I achieved everything there.
"Now, it’s a completely different project. Money is an important factor, I won’t lie, as they offered me amounts I wouldn’t earn in Europe. If some people don’t understand, I get it.”
Nacho leaves Madrid as a legendary figure. He's competing at Euro 2024 with Spain, where he's set to face his Los Blancos teammate Jude Bellingham in the final in Berlin on Sunday (July 14).
Real Madrid's Nacho Fernandez reveals support received from club president during his final season
Nacho also revealed that he was in close contact with the club's leadership before choosing to depart this summer. The 34-year-old ended his lifelong association with Los Blancos but didn't rush to the decision, saying that he kept contact with club president Fiorentino Perez.
Speaking about what happened behind the scenes at Los Blancos as he prepared to leave, Nacho said:
"I always discussed my decision with the club. Real Madrid waited for me until the last day, and I am grateful. They told me not to make it official until I had signed something else in case I wanted to change my mind and stay another year.
“Florentino has shown me his affection from day one. Both he and Jose Angel have been supportive. I told him, ‘Presi, it makes me very sad. You might not understand, but I thought this would be my last year at Real Madrid.’ He wasn’t too surprised and responded with total respect, offering his help if I needed it.”
Nacho ended his final season with the club impressively, winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.