Well, people… Atleticos… today, with sadness, but at the same time happy, I come to say goodbye to all the fans of Atleti, to all my people. Sad for not being able to do more of this family, being in the day to day, but happy for having been part of it, of this great club.
Here I have lived difficult moments, of which always I have risen thanks to the help of the doctors, physios and recuperators and of my team-mates. And happy moments that are already in my memory and in everyone’s. But I want to tell you that I feel happy to have been able to make history and to put my small name in that of this great club. Something that I always wanted but never imagined could happen.
I want to thank all the fans, but I think that my moment arrived and that for me, as well as for the club, it was the best thing that could happen. I think it’s the best moment for both of us, and the best way to help this team and the club. I have given my best, or at least, I always tried to give my best for this club and this shirt.
I want to thank my team-mates, the doctors, the physios and recuperators… they have been my family. I also want to thank the coaching staff.
And to the fans…. just THANK YOU, THANK YOU and THANK YOU. It was always an encouragement. They always were, and always will be, a motivation. THE BIGGEST THING THAT THIS CLUB HAS. I had a dream… I saw how all the fans shouted the name of the great players who have worn this shirt, and I dreamed, and believed, and encouraged me to work and someday deserve to have my name shouted too.
Now I remember moments when the Calderon first, and Wanda later, have shouted my name, and I want to tell you that these are unique moments for me. Much more than titles, because the affection, the humanity, will always be the most important thing for me. So… THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I don’t want to say what everyone says when they leave a club. That I will be one more. No. I showed it on the field, I showed it in every game… I AM ALREADY FROM ATLETI.
Now, with a lot of illusion, strength, desire and passion for what is to come, the next challenge.
ATHLETICS… THANK YOU… I LOVE YOU