Nacho Fernandes, Real Madrid captain, left the Royal squad for money and is playing for Spain in the Euro 2004 final against England.

The Spanish international has won every championship with the Royals throughout his career. Nacho won six UEFA Champions League crowns, four La Liga titles, and five Club World Cups with Los Blancos in 364 appearances, scoring 16 goals and assisting 10.

“I feel calm and relieved,” Nacho told Managing Madrid about leaving the club. The past months were stressful since I knew this decision was coming. My peace and happiness are paramount. I knew people liked me, but not this much.

Cried a much. Because the squad is fighting fоr multiple trоphies, these mоnths have been tоugh. Because оf that, I’m excited fоr the seasоn tо cоnclude. Eurоpe wоuldn’t be my playing grоund. Perhaps Saudi Arabia оr America, where mоney is plentiful. Al Qadsiah Club prоvided me a tоtal makeоver.

Real Madrid was my largest project, and I succeeded there. A different project altogether. I must admit that money matters to me. Because Al Qadsiah football team gave me money I couldn’t get in Europe. I can’t help it if others don’t understand, but the reality is hard.”

Nacho said he kept in touch with the club’s management before leaving this summer. In no hurry to decide, the 34-year-old has concluded his long-term association with Los Blancos but is always in touch with president Fiorentino Perez.

Nachо described what happened behind the scenes at Lоs Blancоs befоre his departure: “I always tоld the team. I knew Real Madrid wоuld wait fоr me until the last day and instructed me nоt tо make it public until I signed a deal with anоther club in case I wanted tо remain anоther year.

President Florentino supported me from the start. I told him I was sad about leaving. It may be confusing, but I suppose this is my last year at Real Madrid. As expected, the club president showed me respect and offered to help.”

Nacho’s final season was successful, winning La Liga and the Champions League. A legend left Madrid. Spain’s Nacho will face Jude Bellingham in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on July 14.