Emotional tribute as Lucas Vázquez bids farewell
"You're leaving with the admiration, love and respect of all madridismo. It's an honour, and makes us extremely proud, to have had a player like you at the club," underlined Florentino Pérez, who presented him with a Real Madrid gold and diamond insignia.
Real Madrid City has hosted an emotional tribute and farewell ceremony for Lucas Vázquez. The academy graduate arrived at the club back in 2007, at 16 years of age. Today, he leaves a legend, having won 23 titles in 402 games for the first team. Lucas was joined by the president, Florentino Pérez, who presented him with the club's gold and diamond insignia. Also in attendance were honorary president, José Martínez Pirri; Director of Football, Santiago Solari; and several members of the Board of Directors, plus Marcelo, Mbappé and Lunin.
After watching a moving video showing a series of images from Lucas Vázquez's career, Florentino Pérez reflected: “Dear Lucas, you should feel incredibly proud of the love you will always hold from all of madridismo. You have embodied all a Real Madrid player should be. An example of hard work, sacrifice, determination, commitment, teamwork, humility and respect. A selfless player who always put the team before his own interests. You represent defence of the crest above all."
"You arrived at Real Madrid at just 16 years old. You grew up here, passing through the Youth teams and Castilla, where you were crowned champion of the Segunda División B and clinched promotion to the Spanish Segunda División in 2012."
Legend
"Today marks the conclusion of a period that has seen you become one of this club's true legends. Because after lifting 23 trophies in this decade, you sit as the sixth most decorated player in Real Madrid history."
An example for madridismo
"Lucas Vázquez represents a mirror, someone to look up to for all our youth players. The perfect example of what a Real Madrid academy graduate should be. You are just that, dear Lucas, thanks to your professionalism, and your role in helping the young and new players who arrive at our club to settle in; thanks to your loyalty and respect for your teammates and coaches, and your commitment to our crest and a fanbase who will never forget you."
Gratitude
"Thank you for all you have given us. Thanks for being a madridista and for embodying the Real Madrid values. You are and will forever be one of our own. You're leaving with the admiration, love and respect of all madridismo. And as Real Madrid president, I have the immense honour and pride to have had a player like you in the team, one who has contributed so much to ensuring that first and foremost, this club is one big family. Real Madrid is and will always be your home."
Lucas Vázquez: "I fulfilled my lifelong dream at the greatest club in the world”
“This is one of the most important days of my life. I would like to thank the fans for their unwavering love and warmth. I've had the privilege of winning trophies, sharing the dressing room with legends and experiencing truly unforgettable nights. I have felt happy, appreciated, respected and loved. I want to thank the president, Florentino Pérez, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me the chance to fulfil my dream. Your faith in me has allowed me to become the player and person I am today."
“Thank you to my parents for their efforts every day. You showed me that giving up is never an option. Thank you, my brother, for giving me your passion for football. And to you, Maca. You came into my life at a vital moment and you've always been there. You gave me the most beautiful thing in the world, our children. Lucas, Maca and Benji, you are my greatest pride. I hope that one day you can understand what it meant for your father to wear these colours."
“I leave with peace of mind, knowing I have given everything I had. I fulfilled my lifelong dream at the greatest club in the world. There is no greater honour than that. I may be leaving, but Real Madrid will live on inside me forever. I am and will always be Lucas Vázquez, from the Real Madrid academy.”
Gold and diamond insignia
The president, Florentino Pérez, then presented Lucas Vázquez with the Real Madrid gold and diamond insignia, and the event concluded with a photo alongside the 23 trophies the defender has lifted during his time at our club. In his 10 seasons with the first team, he's won 5 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 LaLiga titles, 1 Copa del Rey and 4 Spanish Super Cups.