Real Madrid captain and legendary center-back Nacho Hernandez has asked to leave Real Madrid this season after 23 years.
Regarded as one of the best center-backs, the Spaniard has spent over two decades, wearing the Los Blancos’ shirt.
He is one of the few Real Madrid players who grew and nurtured their careers through the club’s Academy and sculpted out gigantic careers with the Spanish outfit.
Nacho is a one-club footballer. He has played for Real Madrid throughout his career but has now deemed it necessary to draw the curtains at Santiago Bernabeu as he nears the twilight of his career.
According to Marca, the Spaniard has asked to leave the club this season despite being offered a new contract extension by the club.
The footballing legend began his career in 1991 as an Academy starlet for AD Complutense. He played for two years with the youth team before being scouted to Real Madrid Academy in 2001.
After eight years in Real Madrid Academy, Nacho was promoted to Real Madrid B in 2009, where he made 105 appearances, scoring 4 goals.
He played for four years with the club’s reserve and was already juggling his career, playing for the reserve team and first team in 2011.
He has made 236 LaLiga appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals. His call for an exit from the club will bring a storied 15-year professional career starting with the club’s reserve team to an end.
Overall, he has spent 23 years, donning the white and black stripes of Real Madrid. He has won 3 LaLiga, 2 Copa Del Rey, 5 Spanish Super Cup, 5 Champions League, 3 UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup with the club.
His exit decision has been linked to his desire to spend the last days of his heroic away from the Los Blancos. The Spaniard has been a regular in the club’s lineup, marshaling the defence with utmost grace.
Sources close to the club reveal the Los Blancos were exploring the chances of having him retire at the club and were ready to hand him a new contract but he turned down the offer, insisting on opening a new chapter in his career.
