Real Madrid has officially bid an emotional farewell to their captain, Nacho, marking the end of an era rich with leadership and loyalty on the field.

Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez ended his career with the club less than a month after lifting the Champions League trophy in London.

Real Madrid announced their decision on Nacho on Tuesday, some three weeks after the club beat Borussia Dortmund at Wembley to win a record-extending 15th European Championship. For Nacho, this is the 6th time he has won the Champions League with Real Madrid, but the first time as captain. The 34-year-old star has won 26 titles at the Santiago Bernabeu, an achievement he shares with Luka Modric – who is about to turn 39 but is said to have signed a one-year extension. “Real Madrid would like to thank and express our appreciation to Nacho, one of the club’s biggest legends,” Real Madrid emphasized in its statement.

Nacho, who is competing with Spain at Euro 2024, has been with Real Madrid for more than two decades, since joining the club’s youth academy in 2001. “I came to the club when I was 10 years old and I have grown as a person and as a player,” Nacho shared in a letter to fans on social networks. “For almost 25 years, I went to practice every day in the same place, learned the values ​​of Real Madrid, dedicated my life and fought for this badge. I gave everything I had.”