Real Madrid starlet pens emotional farewell ahead of exit: ‘Hala Madrid, today and always’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s youth team has witnessed many players leave the team this summer, in what can only be termed as a mass exodus.

The latest player to bid goodbye to the club happens to Jeremy de Leon, who has signed for Sant Andreu.

Following the confirmation of his exit, de Leon, a native of Puerto Rico, has written an emotional farewell message to the club.

De Leon’s final message to Real Madrid

Taking to Instagram, de Leon opened up on the pain of leaving a club he had always dreamed of representing.

“There are farewells that one is never ready to write. Since it all started in Puerto Rico I dreamed of wearing this shirt. It has always been the club of my heart and to be able to make it a reality was a privilege that I will never fail to thank,” he wrote.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jeremy De León (@10jeremyandre)

“I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t hurt. It hurts to close a stage in the club that I always dreamed of representing, it hurts to leave a place that meant so much to me.”

Despite the sadness, the forward expressed immense pride at having worn the shirt.

“Even so, no one can take away the pride of having defended this shield and of having been part of the best team in the world. That will accompany me all my life.”

“And if there is something that makes me feel especially proud of all this path, it is being able to look back and think that that child from Puerto Rico who dreamed of getting here did it.

“I hope my story will help many children on my island see that it can. That no matter where you come from, how far the dream seems or how many times they tell you it’s impossible.”

De Leon signed off with a heartfelt message.

“Dream big. Believe in yourself and never let anyone tell you how far you can go. There are dreams that are not forgotten. They just change paths. I’ll always love you anyway no matter what. Hala Madrid today and always.”

A difficult spell at Valdebebas

De Leon had a difficult time at RM Castilla. (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)

De Leon’s departure brings an end to a two-and-a-half-year stint that promised much but ultimately delivered little, largely due to misfortune.

Since arriving in January 2024, he managed just one goal in 232 minutes for Castilla, with his time at the club severely disrupted by a series of major injuries.

This included a nightmare period in which he underwent surgery on both shoulders.

Though the club were transparent in telling him he did not feature in their plans, de Leon will forever hold a special place in Real Madrid folklore.

He famously became known as the dressing room’s lucky charm during the club’s 2023/24 Champions League triumph at Wembley, a fable that will endure long after his exit.