Florentino Perez pays tribute to Lucas Vazquez: ‘An example of what a Real Madrid player should be’ | OneFootball

After nearly two decades at the club, Lucas Vazquez bid goodbye to Real Madrid today, departing as an icon and a legend.

The 34-year-old has been with Los Blancos since 2007, when he joined the club’s youth academy aged 16. After spending a year at Espanyol, the winger-turned-right-back became a part of the first-team setup since 2015.

Vazquez went on to make 402 appearances for Real Madrid, winning a host of titles and trophies. With his contract expiring this summer, the club opted against a renewal and the veteran right-back said goodbye to the club at a special farewell ceremony today.

Florentino Perez pays tribute

The farewell event began with Real Madrid airing a video of Vazquez’s journey at the club, from his arrival at Valdebebas, to some of his greatest moments in the royal white jersey.

The defender’s family got emotional, while Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was also visibly moved as he took the stage to pay homage to the club icon.

Kicking things off, Perez welcomed Vazquez, his family, and some of the other players in attendance at the ceremony, saying:

“Macarena, Lucas’s wife, his children, his parents, his brother Mateo, Mbappé and Lunin. Welcome to the city of Real Madrid.

“I always say that Madrid is a big family, our players are bearers of the values of Real Madrid, who have built one of the great dynasties in sport. This is the club of 15 European Cups. Being part of this generation is being part of the best club in the world.”

Continuing, Perez added: “Among these players who have given their all and passed on the club’s values is one of our great youth players. Today is the time to thank our beloved Lucas Vazquez for everything he has given to Real Madrid.”

Lucas Vazquez bids goodbye to Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Highlighting what made Vazquez a special player, the Real Madrid president noted: “You’ve been an example of what a Real Madrid player should be: dedication, camaraderie, a player who has put the club’s interests above all else.

“Today marks the end of a period that has made you one of the club’s great legends. You are the sixth-most successful player in Real Madrid’s history. You have a trophy cabinet that is now the history of our club.

Hailing Vazquez for his role in the success Real Madrid have achieved, Perez said:

“But beyond all these titles, for all of us, you represent the example that all the youth players of this club should look up to. For your role in integrating the young players, for your respect….

“You are the protagonist of that endless journey in search of the eleventh Champions League at San Siro. You’ve spent half of your life at Real Madrid; thank you for giving so much to Real Madrid.

Concluding, he said: “You will always be one of us. As president, I am proud to have had a player like you. Real Madrid is and always will be your home.”

Source: RMTV