ESCUDERO: “I'M PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE BEST CLUB IN THE WORLD”

17/06/2021

A “difficult” day for Sergio Escudero, who bids farewell after six seasons at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán

An emotional Sergio Escudero bid farewell to Sevilla FC on Thursday after six seasons at the club. The defender could not hold back the tears on a "very difficult day", as he himself acknowledged with these moving words:

“Today I say goodbye to what has been my home for the last 6 years, and I am confident that, in time, I will be able to say that it was not a goodbye, but a 'see you soon'. If the emotion of the moment allows me, I would like to start by saying thanks. Thank you to our President Pepe Castro, to the first Vice President José María del Nido and to our Sporting Director, Ramón Rodríguez, Monchi, for having placed your trust in me. I hope I have repaid it in the way you deserve.

"I hope I have repaid the trust you placed in me as you deserve"

Thanks to my comrades in arms, with whom I have had the honour of sharing a dressing room and who have helped me to enjoy my passion; football. Thanks to the people at the club: Press, Marketing, kit men, coaches, doctors, physios, therapists, nutritionists, cooks, the staff at the facilities, the ticket offices, security... Those who I forgot to name, please forgive me. Thank you all for making me feel at home from the first day.

I would like to make a special mention to my dear Juan Martagón, always there for me. THANK YOU for EVERYTHING in capital letters. Thanks to my coaches. I will remember the best of each one of them and what they have given me both on a sporting and personal level.

I feel that I have always defended this crest with the class and courage it deserves. Good days and bad days, but in absolutely all of them, I gave my all on the pitch. I always tried to make the fans enjoy themselves and, in doing so, to do my bit to keep filling the trophy cabinet. I'm leaving with the pride of knowing that I am part of the history of what, for me, is the best club in the world. I will miss the warmth of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuan in every game, I will miss hearing the anthem from the pitch and how great it is to celebrate a goal with a packed stadium. And of course, I will miss our fans, who always treated me with the utmost respect... Without a doubt, there is no other fanbase like this one.

"I will miss our fans, because there is no other fanbase like this one"

I took on the role of captain with immense pride, I put on the armband, took on the responsibility that goes with it and felt that this was the role I wanted for myself. Personally, Seville is my home and that of my family. I have a son who is Sevilliano and a Sevillista, a daughter on the way who will also be Sevilliana and a Sevillista, and a wife who, like my family and friends, has always been there for me when I needed it most. Seville has been a witness to our happiness. I can say that I didn't arrive as a Sevillista, but I'm leaving as one. I will always hold you in my heart and I will be another supporter from afar. Thank you for so much. We will meet again”.

After his speech, and after seeing the affection of his teammates via video, or even in person in one case, Escudero spoke to the media, indicating firstly that his departure was a consensual decision, and once again thanked the club: "I've been here for many years. Both the club and I decided that it was time for me to move on and all I can do is say thank you". And speaking of thanks, he remembered all the coaches, but indicated that Jorge Sampaoli was the one who gave him the most:

"The one who has had the biggest influence on me is Sampaoli, he was the one with whom I was able to stand out the most and that's why I was called up to the national team, but I take all the good things from each of them. And there is one of my teammates here who, luckily, I can say is my friend, and apart from him I can say that I continue to maintain a relationship with people who are no longer here, but who are still really here. The idea is that they can have a friend here for whatever they need".

"I will always remember this club with a good taste in my mouth"

After remembering his debut, beyond the titles, he spoke about how Sevilla FC wins over everyone who joins: "The treatment from the first moment is special, I was signed by the man you have here and from the first day he gave me all his confidence. I've tried to repay him for all these years and that's what makes you feel close to your teammates, the club and its people". To finish, he stated that he is leaving with a good taste in his mouth for everything he has experienced:

"I have tried to improve in everything by being a hard worker and always trying to help my teammates. I take with me friends, being able to enjoy a stadium, a club like Sevilla, and I will always remember it with a good taste in my mouth".