"Every game I’ve played I’ve lived with a special feeling" - Ex-Real Madrid star says he 'cried a lot' after making decision to leave Los Blancos

Spanish centre-back Nacho Fernandez, who left Real Madrid this summer after spending 12 years at the club, recently said that he "cried a lot" after deciding to leave the Spanish giants. Nacho spent his entire career with Los Blancos, making 364 appearances for the team in which he scored 16 goals and assisted 10.

In an emotional interview with El Chiringuito TV, the former Los Blancos defender said the 2023-24 season was difficult for him as he knew he would leave at the end of the campaign. Nacho said (via Madrid Universal):

“I have cried a lot for what I usually cry, which is not much.”

"They have been hard months, the team was playing a lot of things. There were a lot of emotions to go to Cibeles too. I had a mixture in my body that was like an explosive bomb."

The six-time UEFA Champions League-winning defender added:

"I was looking forward to the end of the season also a little bit for that reason, but it is true that it has made me live it all with even more joy, with more emotion. Every game I’ve played I’ve lived with a special feeling."

Nacho Fernandez will join Qatari side Al Qadsiah as a free agent after his time in Germany with the Spanish national team at Euro 2024.

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France manager Didier Deschamps supports Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe amid criticism

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been subject to criticism for his performances at Euro 2024 for France. The latest blockbuster arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu has failed to impress in Germany for Les Bleus but still has the support of his national manager.

Speaking to Telefoot, the FIFA World Cup-winning manager said:

"Don't you think he has already made enough history with what he has done so far?"

"He wants to make even more history. We did everything we could with him, with the medical staff, to get him to be here. During the preparation, he had a little back problem, too, but Kylian is here."

Deschamps concluded:

"Even if he's not 100%, I know very well that for the opponent, knowing he's playing makes them think and forces them to adapt."

Despite the criticism, the Real Madrid star is the only player to find the back of the net for France with his penalty against Poland in the group stage. France will face Spain in the semifinals of Euro 2024 in Munich on July 9. They have scored three goals in the tournament so far, two of which have been own goals.