Spain defender Nacho names Real Madrid legend as his favorite footballer of all time

Spain defender Nacho Fernandez has named Real Madrid great and ex-teammate Sergio Ramos as his favorite footballer of all time.

During a recent Q/A session, Nacho was queried to name his favorite footballer of all time. He quickly responded (h/t X/@theMadridZone):

"Sergio Ramos."

Nacho, who will leave Los Merengues at the end of his contract this month, shared the pitch with Ramos 109 times at his boyhood club. He also played alongside the 38-year-old centre-back 12 times for Spain.

Ramos, who left Real Madrid as a free agent in 2021, is considered a modern-day footballing great due to his great exploits at club and country level. He helped Los Blancos lift 22 trophies and guided Spain to the 2010 FIFA World Cup win and two UEFA Euro glories.

The four-time UEFA Champions League winner is allegedly set to leave Sevilla as a free agent on June 30. He helped his boyhood club record eight clean sheets in 37 matches last season, scoring seven times.

Nacho sends emotional farewell message after Real Madrid announced his departure

Following Real Madrid's announcement of the player departing, Nacho Fernandez took to X and penned a heartfelt message. He elaborated:

"I want to dedicate a few words to you to express everything I feel right now. I say goodbye to the club of my life. I arrived at the age of 10, I trained as a person and as a player, I learned to win and lose, to fight and suffer, to enjoy, and to always live with enthusiasm and determination. I learned everything I am today."

Nacho, who captained Los Blancos to a double last season, continued:

"I have been coming to train every day at the same place for almost 25 years, which is said soon, learning the values of Madridismo, giving my life and fighting for this shield: you have given me everything. It is very difficult for me, but now it is time to leave with the confidence and tranquillity of knowing that I have always given my best to represent this shield, on and off the field."

The 26-cap Spain international concluded:

"It has been months of reflection, indecision and doubts, but today I come to tell you that I need to live a last and different experience with my family, and this is the perfect moment. Thank you, Real Madrid, for understanding me."

Nacho, 34, bagged 16 goals in 364 appearances across competitions and lifted a joint-club record 26 trophies at the La Liga champions.

As per ESPN, Nacho will join Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah soon.