“We saw why Nacho has played many years at Real Madrid” - Jurgen Klopp’s comment from 2023 resurfaces as Nacho leaves Santiago Bernabeu
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's comments about outgoing Real Madrid defender and club captain Nacho Fernandez have emerged. The 34-year-old is leaving Los Blancos this summer.
A one-club man so far, the Spain international has played 364 times across competitions for Madrid, contributing 16 goals and 10 assists. In what turned out to be his final season at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2023-24, Nacho bagged an assist in 45 games across competitions, helping the club to three trophies.
As per Managing Madrid, Nacho is now set to embark on a new adventure in Qatar after 12 glorious seasons at the Bernabeu. Last season, he joined his teammates Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal and Toni Kroos as the only four players to win the UEFA Champions League six times.
Meanwhile, following the Reds' 5-2 Round of 16 first-leg loss to Madrid in the 2022-23 Champions League, Klopp had said (as per Managing Madrid) in February 2023:
“Nacho came on and played a super game. David Alaba is a top top top player but I thought tonight we saw why Nacho has played however many years at Real Madrid. In the second half, we were not as good, so it was probably easy to defend.”
As per ESPN, Nacho, who is currently in action with Spain at Euro 2024, is set to join Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah.
How many trophies Nacho has won at Real Madrid?
Nacho has had a hugely successful career at Real Madrid since coming up through the ranks at Castilla. In his more than decade-long stint at the Santiago Bernabeu, the 34-year-old won 26 titles.
Three of them came last season, with Carlo Ancelotti's side winning the Supercopa Espana, a record-extending 36th La Liga and record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League title.
Nacho's trophy haul at the club includes - as mentioned above - six Champions League titles, four La Liga, five FIFA Club World Cup, four UEFA Supercup, five Supercopa Espana and two Copa del Rey honours.