Nacho Fernandez decision to leave Real Madrid was accelerated by Carlo Ancelotti decision | OneFootball

Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez bid farewell to his boyhood club this week after 24 years and 26 trophies, deciding to accept an offer in Saudi Arabia rather than accept a one-year renewal with Los Blancos. He was close to doing so last summer too, but it was one of Carlo Ancelotti’s technical calls that pushed him to the exit door.

Rumours that Nacho has not felt trusted by Ancelotti have been hanging around for some time, and while he did end up playing the Champions League semi-finals and final, there was a stage with Eder Militao and David Alaba out that he was dropped for Aurelien Tchouameni at the back.

One of the key dates according to Cadena SER came in March, with Real Madrid heading to Mestalla to face Valencia in a game they knew would be key for the title race. Ancelotti ended up starting Tchouameni ahead of him, and at that point Nacho felt his decision was made given he was not even the fourth choice for Ancelotti. He then called President Florentino Perez in late March to tell him of his decision.

With Rafa Marin on his way to Napoli, and Nacho headed to Saudi Arabia, it looks as if Real Madrid will go after Lille wonderkid Leny Yoro. While they had been considering bringing Yoro in for free when his contract expires next summer, the Frenchman is more of a pressing need now.