Monchi

MONCHI: “SERGIO, AS CAPTAIN, HAS HELPED ME THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES”

17/06/2021
At Sergio Escudero's farewell ceremony, the Sporting Director praised him as a person: "If I have to thank him for one of the two titles he has lifted, it would be the last one, the one in Cologne"

Sevilla FC's Sporting Director, Ramón Rodríguez, Monchi, was present at Sergio Escudero's farewell, and he was keen to highlight the more personal side of the player, who bid farewell on Thursday. He did so by focusing on one of the most difficult moments in recent times, which is none other than the beginning of a pandemic that struck, and continues to strike, society.

“At events like this, when we say goodbye to someone dear to us, we usually say nice and beautiful things. In Sergio's case, they are more than deserved. But I'm not going to focus on the sporting part, because he knows better than anyone what I think of him as a footballer. In fact, there is a more impressive statistic than any that I can think of: 176 appearances for Sevilla, in the elite and the Champions League, you have to be a magnificent footballer to play that many matches for a team like Sevilla FC. 

"We say goodbye to Sergio like 95% of the most recent players we have said goodbye to, with silverware"

I am going to focus on the person. During the video of messages from teammates and ex-teammates, there was not one of those who spoke who did not highlight the good teammate, friend and good person. We say goodbye to Sergio like 95% of the most recent players we have said goodbye to, with silverware, with two titles. And if we were to ask Sergio which one he is most proud of, he would say the first one, because he was much more involved.

For me, in particular, if I have to thank him for one of those two titles, it would be the last one. Because at a very difficult time, back in April 2020, when we were all shaken by this damned pandemic, many of us who made decisions at the club found ourselves on the wrong foot and had to resort to different resources to get through such a difficult time. And Sergio, as captain of the team, helped us and helped me, personally, to get through that difficult time. He put himself at the front of the pack and worked as hard as anyone during the lockdown, in the training sessions prior to the restart of the league, during the stay in Cologne... And he did it with conviction and with a professional side, but with another very important side: as a Sevillista.

I told you a few days ago and I won't forget it: I believe that Sevilla FC, as an entity, and Sevilla fans, as supporters, should not forget that moment when you, more than anyone else, led the pack. Thank you Sergio”.