Watch: Former Real Madrid defender broke down in tears after Albacete’s historic win | OneFootball

Football may not have feelings of its own, but it has an unmatched ability to bring them to the surface. 

That emotional side was on full display during Albacete’s historic Copa del Rey triumph over Real Madrid, a night filled with joy, disbelief, and emotion. 

Among all the celebrations, one image stood out more than any other – the tears of Jesús Vallejo.

Emotional night for Vallejo

While his teammates celebrated one of the greatest victories in Albacete’s history, Vallejo was caught on camera, overwhelmed and inconsolable. 

The defender was unable to take part in the match due to muscle discomfort, forcing him to watch from the sidelines as events unfolded. 

Instead of relief or detachment, what followed was an emotional release that said everything about his connection to the moment.

One by one, Albacete players approached Vallejo, embracing him as he struggled to hold back his tears. 

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It was not frustration over missing the game, but emotion in its purest form. 

Vallejo’s past with Real Madrid

The scene carried extra significance given his past, as Vallejo once belonged to one of the most successful periods in Real Madrid’s modern history. 

He joined the club in the summer of 2015, arriving with huge expectations and the label of a future defensive leader.

However, his time in Madrid never unfolded as planned. Across five seasons, Vallejo made just 35 appearances. 

Injuries, competition, and timing worked against him, and his role remained on the margins despite being part of a trophy-laden era.

Last summer marked a turning point. Vallejo closed the chapter on his Real Madrid career and chose a new challenge with Albacete. 

Away from the spotlight, he found something just as valuable – continuity, trust, and importance.