BANEGA, IN TEARS AS HE SAYS FAREWELL: "WHEREVER I GO THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ANOTHER SEVILLISTA"

11/09/2020

"Thank you for letting me be part of your history, Sevilla"

Éver Banega has said farewell to Sevilla FC. The Argentine, who leaves after five seasons at the club across two spells and with three UEFA Europa League medals, wanted to dedicate his final words to everyone associated with the club at his farewell event. This is what the midfielder from Rosario said:

"Dear Sevillistas:

The time has come to say goodbye to all of you. There have been many years of enjoyment by your side, Sevilla FC. Five wonderful years where I have been very happy, where I have been received in the best way from the first day, where you gave me the confidence to be able to always work with a smile...

Yes, confidence so that I can help my team achieve important things, to grow as a footballer, but above all as a person. I will never forget all those moments I experienced, like the Europa Leagues that we achieved together... Good and not so good moments that I have had. But here they taught me that giving up is forbidden and that fighting for this badge with humility and sacrifice would be worth it.

"I wore this beautiful shirt in 238 matches... It was worth so much sacrifice and fight for this badge"

And yes, it was worth it, because I wore this beautiful shirt in 238 matches... I leave with the certainty that I gave my all in every game and without reproach, leaving everything on the field by defending this shirt

I would like to thank the President and the entire Board for the treatment they gave us during the two stages. To Monchi, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to join an entity that was the best thing that happened to me. I would also like to thank all the coaches and their technical staff that I had during these five years. From Unai Emery to Julen Lopetegui, for giving me so much love and bringing me an incredible learning experience.

To my teammates, I would like to say that this year I enjoyed it very much, that the humility and simplicity of this dressing room made us achieve the objectives we set ourselves - Europa League winners and reaching the Champions League. I take the best of each of you and the strength that united us as a family.

"Thank you to the fans of Sevilla FC for the love and respect they showed me from the first day. I will never forget them"

I do not want to forget the people who work in the club and whose work is not seen, but who make our work more pleasant and that everything goes well: kitmen, medical services, physios, nutritionists, kitchen staff, maintenance staff, cleaning and security and the media team. Thank you.

And finally two important things:

Thank you to the fans of Sevilla Fútbol Club for the love and respect they showed me from the first day. I will never forget what they gave us during all these years. They were very important for us. Thank you, really.

And finally, to my wife and children for accompanying me on this beautiful adventure we experienced in Sevilla. Without them, all that I have achieved would not be possible either.

I'll say goodbye now. Thank you for letting me be part of your story. I wish you the greatest of success, I'm going to miss you very much and I assure you that wherever I go there will be another Sevillista.

Farewell, my Sevilla!!!"

Afterwards, Éver Banega responded to some questions from the media: "You have to make decisions, they are opportunities that come to you. I'm 32 years old and I've been given an important opportunity. Sevilla was very good to me and I think I gave it everything I had, I think it was time", he began.

"Honestly I did not think that I would play for so many years, and in so many matches. I discovered that I was at a winning club. I'll remember all the teammates from each year and the unity at this club, which knew how to forge winning teams. Personally, it's a club that gives you a lot of love and teaches you many values. I'll remember that and all the people that surround you. Professionally I've grown and improved in everything. I learned how to play in a way that I hadn't done at other clubs", continued the Rosarino.

"I'll remember the unity at this club, which knows how to forge winning teams"

The number 10 also recognised that "a more mature Banega is leaving, who learned that if he worked and believed in what he was doing he could overcome great obstacles, all the managers I had helped me to grow and to be able to say farewell today in this way".

The midfielder also picked his favourite match at the club: "There are many matches that will stay in my memory, but I'll go with the match against Dnipro, my first final. I was able to share the field with José Antonio Reyes who also, although he's not with us, helped us to win that cup again".

"Lopetegui was able to successfully unite this group with so many new players who arrived"

Banega also stated that "Sevilla are always ready to fight for everything. It is difficult, you have to be very consistent, but there is a great team and I have no doubt that they will fight in all competitions. I think Sevilla deserve to be in the Champions League and for that reason we work all year. It's a big team that I am sure will keep growing, and if they continue like that they'll have no limit".

On Lopetegui and Rakitic

"Lopetegui is a straightforward, direct person. The basis of this year was the unity of the group, which he achieved. So many new players arrived and it seemed like they'd been here their whole lives. Then, there's no doubts that Rakitic will do well, he's world class. I wish him the best of success, now I give him back his place, as he did with me".