¡gracias Guti!
After 24 years, 571 games, 77 goals and eight major championships (five Ligas and three Champions League) with Real Madrid, Guti announced today that he’ll be leaving us.
He had already said goodbye to the Bernabéu faithful during Madrid’s last home game the previous season, but it wasn’t until today that his departure was confirmed. Guti said in a press conference that he will be abandoning the club, but refused to reveal where his next destination will be (rumors say it will be Turkish club Beşitkaş, where Bernd Schuster is head coach). Interestingly enough, he was accompanied at the press conference by club director Jorge Valdano, who was responsible for Guti’s first team debut with Madrid 15 years ago in 1995 when he was head coach.
Guti said that he only wanted to thank the club, and that his heart will always belong to the club, and added that he hopes to return to the club when he retires. He also thanked everyone who supported him, especially his friends, family and children. He also mentioned that he’s always felt the affection of the fans and that he loves them back. He was unable to select only one memory from his career when asked, but could when asked about teammates. Raúl and Álvaro Benito (now lead singer of Pignoise) were his answers. Guti also said he was leaving the club in good hands, concretely those of Iker, Sergio and Diarrá (Jorge Valdano had to remind Guti that Raúl has not officially said he will leave, although he will be holding a press conference tomorrow to talk about his future). We also found out that the decision was made between both Guti and the club (each gave 50% input, apparently).
I admit, I have been frustrated many, many times by Guti over the years, and also been wowed by his flashes of brilliance (too far and few between though). But no matter how he played, I loved him for the fact that he grew up in Real Madrid, the only club he has ever played for, the only club he ever identified with (the last part is just like me). So thank you Guti, and good luck wherever you go!
Side note: I hope this doesn’t mean the end of Crackòvia Guti!!!
And in honor of Guti, here’s a little compilation of the hairstyles that he has greatly amused me with over the years!
My favorite is the one on the bottom row, far left, because that’s how I remember Guti (having been a Madrid fan for a while now), and because it also reminds me of Fernando Redondo’s hair!
:-(((( Gracias, Guti!!!
he’ll surely be missed =(
No Guti con los Merengues? I guess it’s a page that’s about to be turned with him and Raul leaving…
I liked those guys 😦
There is no one like Guti. In many ways I will miss him even more than I will miss Raul. 😥
😥
Oh well…RM just lost one of their major drama queens.
*hugs self and cries in corner*
I’m sad …
As a madridista, I’m obviously sad to see him go, but as someone who loves to laugh, I am way, way more concerned for the impact this move will have on the hilarity of Crackovia. They can’t let him go!
i know! the crackovia writers must be crying even harder than the madrid fans who’re sad to see him go.
PIM PAM!
This is so sad… So I take it Raul has made his mind, then? Even sadder…
A true great, they slag him off for not playing in any of the CL finals but we would have never been in Glasgow had it not been for that goal against Bayern in the Bernabeu. He’s a Madridista because we love him and everybody else hates him… a tormented genius… but what a genius he is. Hope he sets the Turkish Superlig on fire.
100% agreed.
He’s unique, there’s no other player like him, on or off the pitch.
What I love most about him though, is that he is such a dirty bastard. Even though his temper cost us at times, I still appreciated it once I realised he was only doing it to help or stick up for us and his teammates.
Aww I’ll miss Guti and his tantrums!! But best of luck in his future wherever he goes 🙂
Lol at the Crackòvia remark, and LOOL at his hair in the center photo on the far right XD
What a character 😀
It’s sad that all the players I cheered since I was 12 years old are all out of Real Madrid both Guti and Raul. Guti was always such a character my dad always use to tease about his hair styles. We will really miss him and Raul. God I feel a piece of me is dead this is such sad news
*sigh* Sad days for all Madridistas.
First Guti, today Raul.
I will miss them so much and wish them all the best of luck. *sniff