Jesús Vallejo's confession after leaving Real Madrid, very tough: 'I wasn't satisfied'

One of the footballers who has left Real Madrid during the current summer period is Jesús Vallejo. The Spanish center-back, who returned from an unsuccessful loan spell at Granada during the 23/24 campaign, was not part of Carlo Ancelotti's plans. His appearances were merely testimonial, even in the midst of a shortage of players in the heart of the white team's defense.

That's why the top executives led by Florentino Pérez decided not to renew his contract, letting him leave as a free agent when the last league campaign ended. His spot in Santiago Bernabéu locker room was taken by a Dean Huijsen who is now Xabi Alonso's only certainty for the center-back position.

Now fully settled in his new team, Albacete, Jesús Vallejo has given an interview in which he made several references to his time at Real Madrid over these years. "I wasn't satisfied with not playing much at Real Madrid, but I trained hard every day", said the Spanish defender, who seemed to be aware of his disadvantaged situation.

However, he knew he had to be ready in case Carlo Ancelotti needed his services. The Reggiolo coach barely involved him in the first team's competitive rhythm outside of training sessions, a circumstance that didn't seem to discourage the Zaragoza footballer too much. Without making a fuss but with a firm refusal to leave early, Vallejo spent his last season as a white team footballer.

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"From that perspective, I considered myself a leader because of my actions and how I managed the situation", said the former "18" of Real Madrid, referring to his discretion and lack of prominence. Jesús Vallejo pointed out that it's not easy to live with the idea of being in the footballing background when most players want to always be on the field.

The confession from the former white team player reveals a well-known situation: he barely had any prominence and his hopes of stepping onto the field were practically null. However, he kept offering his best version in every training session with the goal of earning Carlo Ancelotti's trust.

That was Vallejo's own plan when he returned to Santiago Bernabéu locker room last summer. The top executives led by Florentino Pérez urged him to look for a way out, warning him that he wasn't part of the Italian strategist's plans. Jesús Vallejo decided to stay to, through his performance, try to change that opinion.

He didn't succeed, making his last campaign as a player for the merengue club marked by an ostracism that he tried to fight as best as he could. Despite everything, he only shows gratitude for the opportunities he received and is now focused on his renewed spirits for his new stage at Albacete.