Exit statement from midfielder baffles Real Madrid fans | OneFootball

Real Madrid confirmed what had been an open secret on Friday, that Dani Ceballos would be leaving. The 29-year-old has been a bit-part player for some time, but continued reports about his exit seemed never to come to fruition until this summer.

Los Blancos and Ceballos finally agreed to mutually terminate his deal with a year remaining on it. The Spain international has been heavily linked with Ajax, but the familiar tale of interest from boyhood club Real Betis is also present in the background.

Dani Ceballos publishes heartfelt exit statement

Ceballos took to social media to publish a farewell letter to the fans, admitting that it had ‘not been an easy year’, in which he was banished from the squad by Alvaro Arbeloa. In the statement, he thanked the club, the president, coaches, staff, his teammates and the fans for their contribution to his time at the club.

There may be one statement that grates on the Madridistas though. It was reported widely that Ceballos’ falling out with Arbeloa was responsible from his absence in the final months of the season, and some even accused him of leaking stories from the dressing room to the press. Nevertheless, Ceballos had no regrets about his time, saying that “I leave with the peace of mind of having given everything for this badge.” Certainly towards the end of his time, few of the fickle Bernabeu crowd had much love for him.

Ceballos’ full farwell letter

“After nine years, the time has come to close one of the most important chapters of my life. It has not been an easy decision. Nor has it been an easy year, and perhaps precisely for that reason, I felt the time had come to bring this chapter to a close and face a new challenge with the same excitement I felt when I first arrived.”

“I want to thank Real Madrid for giving me the opportunity to wear the greatest crest in the world and to learn from the best over so many years. It has been an honour to defend this shirt, to grow as a footballer and as a person, and to be part of a history filled with success that I will always remember. Thank you to the president, the coaches, all my teammates, the club staff, and every single person who made me feel like part of this family from day one.”

“And, above all, thank you to all the Madridista fans. Thank you for your unconditional support, for your high standards, for celebrating the happiest moments with me, and for being there during the toughest times, too. Your affection has meant far more than words can express and will stay with me forever.”

“I leave with the peace of mind of having given my all for this badge, of having defended these colours with pride and heart, and with memories that will last a lifetime. Real Madrid will always be a part of me, and I will always be grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hala Madrid.”