illarra he tearfully said goodbye and was surrounded by his teammates at Anoeta: “I think it’s the best decision for Real and for me,” he said. He maintains that it was a “difficult decision”, that “I have given it many turns” and for this reason he regrets having to say that “our paths separated”. After 251 official matches as txuri urdin in two periods, with his time of two seasons at Real Madrid in between, “I want to say that I will leave in peace, calmly because I have given everything”.
he left pride. “I feel proud. I entered when I was 11 years old. The values I have are thanks to Real. Thank you for everything. I want to say that I will leave peacefully, calmly because I have given everything”.
tomorrow: “New paths have been opened. I feel that my cycle is over and we have to make way for the new generations, who are coming strong. Just as the veterans let me in, I let the youngsters in.”
Relay to the captain: “Thank you for giving me the responsibility of being the captain when Xabi Prieto left him. I tried to convey the values of Real. I’m leaving calm because Mikel (Oyarzabal) has a lot in this regard. La Real will remain calm”.
When did you decide your cycle was over?: “It’s the last year of my contract. The beginning of the season was difficult in terms of sports, I didn’t have a leading role. Fortunately I have not experienced such situations in my career. Then I became more prominent, I gave everything and I have felt part of this. I’m thinking this is my last season. I am happy because there is a future here. I enjoy every day thanks to my colleagues. That idea was always around that this could be my last year at Real. It was a difficult, difficult and sad decision. This is my home and it’s not easy to say goodbye.”
because: “I am excited to play the Champions League with Real, but I looked at other aspects, what fills me, what I can contribute. I feel my cycle is over. I will leave sad because I will not find this family”
What do you want: “Keep playing football. I showed myself that I can keep playing and give it my all. I’m good at competing physically. I’m excited, otherwise I’ll say goodbye. I feel strong. It’s going to be a strange summer.”
where is your future: “Let’s see what offers I have to decide. I’m ready. I have matured a lot, I am 33 years old and I know what will happen to me. I don’t know what will happen to me. I told the president last week that my cycle is over. It’s time to part ways. I’m comfortable with everything I’ve done, I’ve always given 100%. I really want to continue competing. I don’t know where I will end up, it will be a summer of uncertainty. I will follow my feelings.”
The Champions League train is about to leave: “Obviously I really want to play the Champions League with Real, but above all I have to be honest with myself and with Real. My cycle ends with Real. I hope we get into the Champions League, but in life you have to make decisions. This is the right decision, sincere and well thought out. Wherever I am, I will be happy for Real to play in the Champions League. This team is taking small steps forward, it is making history”:
comrades: “There are no words to describe this group. It’s not just a team. They are friends. My family. It is impossible to find such a group. They accompanied me in joy and in suffering. La Real is not a normal team, it is a family. I’m leaving calm because it will continue to be like this. Here the main thing is to be a good person and here is everything”.
Imanol asked you: “I told Ima on Sunday, after winning in Barcelona. I want to talk to him, he is my coach, I have a right to know. I am always with him. He told me he was sorry to lose me. He thanked me and I thanked him for everything. Life goes on. I know he’s in good hands with this Real. These past few years have guided us to make history. I think this team will do a lot of important things. I want to enjoy a few more years here, but my end has come at this Real”.
What does it mean to be Real’s captain?: “I’ve been thinking a lot about this these days. The first time he went to Zubieta was when he was 11 years old. I never thought I would do what I did. Behind it is a lot of work and sacrifice. And look where I was at the end. It became the most. I can’t ask for anything more. I managed to spend many years here, I met many people in the quarry who were not as lucky as I was. I am beyond grateful. It is not easy to arrive, stay and become a captain. I did everything I could. I tried to convey the values I learned from Aranburu and Prieto. I am satisfied with everything I have done. I will make mistakes many times, but the intention is always the best”.
Injuries and lack of minutes: “These past years I have not had easy situations either. No one wants to get hurt, training alone. Fortunately, I turned around. I was unsure how to respond. For Ima and Olabe, it won’t be easy. I’ve been away from the team for a year and a half and joining this team has not been easy. Thanks to them, I turned the situation around and found myself physically amazing. I’m happy for that. Now I will enjoy this group from a different angle. It won’t be easy, but I have to cheer from the stands like another txuri urdin”.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
