Real Madrid captain Nacho has made the decision to leave the club when his contract expires, according to sources from MARCA. Along with midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, Nacho will become a free agent on June 30. In the absence of injured defenders David Alaba and Eder Militao, Nacho has been a key player for coach Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti often pairs Nacho with Antonio Rudiger in defense, with Aurelien Tchouameni also being utilized in the backline.
Nacho played a crucial role in Madrid’s recent Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Manchester City, which ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time. Nacho was not selected for the first leg, where City scored three goals in a 3-3 draw. The veteran defender helped to keep City to just one goal in the second leg, and also scored a penalty in the subsequent shootout which Madrid won 4-3. Despite this impressive performance, Nacho has reportedly informed club president Florentino Perez and the coaching staff of his decision to leave Madrid after 23 years with the club.
Nacho is said to be seeking a “new adventure” after a long career with Real Madrid, and reports suggest he has received an offer from a MLS team in the United States. However, if he wishes to continue playing in top European competitions, there is interest from Italian club Inter Milan. Nacho had come close to leaving for Italy in 2023 but was convinced to stay and became captain of the team. There is speculation that he could be persuaded to extend his stay with Madrid for another year.
Along with Nach, midfielder Toni Kroos is also uncertain about his future with the club following the Champions League success. Meanwhile, Luka Modric has reportedly already decided to leave Madrid, according to reports from Cadena SER. It remains to be seen how Real Madrid will handle the departures of key players like Nacho, Kroos, and Modric in the upcoming transfer window. President Florentino Perez will need to make decisions about the future squad composition and potential replacements for these experienced players.
Real Madrid’s upcoming El Clasico against bitter rivals FC Barcelona will take place with the uncertainty surrounding Nacho’s future looming large. The departure of key players like Nacho, Kroos, and Modric could have a significant impact on the team’s performance and dynamics. With just two days until one of the most highly anticipated matches in world football, Madrid will have to focus on the task at hand while dealing with the off-field issues surrounding player departures. It will be interesting to see how Madrid cope with the potential loss of key personnel and how they plan for the future following the exodus of experienced players.
