Real Madrid must replace captain after defender leaves the club

Real Madrid captain Nacho has officially left the club after 23 years. The experienced defender joined the Spanish team’s youth team at the age of 10. After making his senior debut in 2012, he made a total of 364 appearances for Los Blancos. In total, Nacho helped the team win 26 trophies during his time at the club. These include four La Liga titles and six UEFA Champions League triumphs.

The last trophy Nacho won came last month when Borussia Dortmund won the European title. Despite his age, Nacho played 90 minutes against the German giants that night. Coach Carlo Ancelotti used the veteran in 11 of his 13 Champions League starting lineups in the 2023/24 season.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez reflected on Nacho’s impressive legacy at the club in a statement released on Tuesday. “Since joining our youth academy as a child, Nacho has been a role model for everyone and has earned the affection, recognition and admiration of everyone at Real Madrid,” Perez announced. “Real Madrid is and will always be his home.”

Real Madrid are likely to sign a new centre-back this summer to replace Nacho

Nacho was widely expected to leave the club after last season. After all, his contract expired in the summer and there were no signs that the two sides would agree on an extension. Nevertheless, the veteran will likely be missed and the club’s management may have to find a replacement for the ageing star.

Nacho managed to appear in a total of 45 games in the 2023/24 season. Only one other defender, fellow centre-back Antonio Rüdiger, managed to appear in more games throughout the season. While the veteran may not be the same player he was a decade ago, he was still an important piece of the puzzle for Ancelotti.

One defender who has been linked with Real for months is Alphonso Davies. The left-back’s future at Bayern Munich has been uncertain for some time due to contractual demands. Davies reportedly wants a pay rise and his current contract expires next summer, so Bayern management must either re-sign the star or risk him leaving for free in 2025.

However, Davies doesn’t necessarily play the same position as Nacho. The former Real captain can play on the left but usually plays as a centre-back. The La Liga champions currently have Eder Militao, David Alaba and the aforementioned Rüdiger in that position. Still, Real Madrid need another centre-back to replace Nacho.

Joselu also leaves Real and moves to a team in the Middle East

Nacho is currently participating in Euro 2024 with Spain. The defender started his team’s first game but has not played since. He will soon move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah. Nacho is not the only Real star to move to the Middle East. Joselu is also reportedly close to a move to Qatari club Al Gharafa.

The centre-forward was set to stay at Real for the 2024/25 season, but the 34-year-old player is likely to join the Middle Eastern club in the coming weeks. Joselu impressed on loan at Real last season, scoring 17 goals, including two against Bayern in the Champions League semi-finals.

Real, however, does not necessarily need to replace the striker during the summer transfer window. The club has already signed superstar Kylian Mbappe, who will play alongside Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.

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