DBasia.news – Following in the footsteps of Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann, Juanfran also left Atletico Madrid. The 34-year-old defender said his farewells to fans and Atletico.
Juanfran expressed his emotional farewell to Atletico as the player’s contract expired in June 2019.
“This is my last day at Atletico, I hope to be back soon, this is my home. Eight fantastic and best years of my career,” Juanfran said at his farewell ceremony, quoted from the official website of Atletico.
“It is an honor to be considered the legend of this club and it is truly amazing that people think I am one of them,” continued the player who achieved 22 caps and one goal with the Spanish national team.
Juanfran has played 355 matches with Atletico since being brought in from Osasuna in 2011 and won seven trophies, including LaLiga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and European Super Cup, and a pair of Europa League titles.
In the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals, Juanfran started with Real Madrid, the club where he started his career as a product of academy and a major player in mid-2004-2006.
“I came from Real Madrid in the past, my father was from Real Madrid. I quickly changed to Atletico,” added Juanfran.
“One day I read ‘he arrived at the Vikings, he left as an Indian’, and that was amazing,” he continued.
Before saying the last goodbye, Juanfran has a message for Atletico fans who always supported him.
“To all Atletico fans, thank you for loving me. You sing my name more than winning a title. There is love and respect,” added the player who had also been loaned to Espanyol.
“Los Rojiblancos is my family. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will be back soon to make us better,” he concluded.