Earlier this week, it was officially confirmed that Nacho Fernandez would be leaving Real Madrid at the end of this month, when his contract officially expires. The 34-year-old, who captained Los Blancos to a La Liga and Champions League double (as well as the Spanish Super Cup) last season, will be joining newly-promoted Saudi Pro League side, Al-Qadsiah.
Nacho’s future had caused significant speculation in the weeks leading up to the announcement of his departure, but according to Cadena SER, the decision was actually made back in March. It was when Carlo Ancelotti dropped him in favour of playing midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as a makeshift centre-back that Nacho decided that he did not want to continue.
A few weeks after this match, Nacho told Real Madrid president Florentino Perez of his intention to leave at the end of his current contract. Club bosses tried to convince him to stay, but his mind was made up.
It’s understandable that Nacho felt the need to leave because of Ancelotti’s apparent inability to count on him – so much so that a midfielder was played ahead of him in the centre of defence. Nevertheless, he still had a fine career at Real Madrid, and he leaves as a cult hero.
