From winning the Champions League with Madrid to playing in the second division, imminent signing

Three seasons ago, Real Madrid won the Champions League by defeating Liverpool in the final in Paris. The protagonists that day were Vinícius, who scored the goal that gave the Merengues the victory, and Courtois, who once again appeared as the savior with his saves while the match was still tied.

However, that title also appears in the trophy cases of other footballers, such as Jesús Vallejo. The center-back, who had a stellar appearance against Manchester City in the semifinals, was part of that squad. The same as in the one that won the Champions League trophy in the 2017–2018 season.

However, Vallejo's contract ended this summer and they decided not to renew it. After his loan spells at Wolverhampton and Granada didn't work out, he barely had any playing time this year. He was looking for a team, trying to relaunch his career with an eye on the future.

It seems that he will try without leaving Spain, although trying his luck in the Second Division. Several media outlets from Castilla la Mancha have reported that Albacete is interested in him. In fact, Vallejo and the sporting director of the team from La Mancha have been seen together.

He didn't have a place in the first team this year

Vallejo saw this past season as Ancelotti didn't count on him during the campaign. He came on in the final minutes against Alavés, and a 3-0 turned into a 2-3 that made them suffer at Bernabéu. At that point, Carletto decided not to count on the player from Aragón until everything was already decided in La Liga.

In fact, he preferred to bet on academy players like Asencio and Jacobo Ramón instead of him. It didn't seem that the outlook would be much more positive for him this season if he had renewed. Although this is a possibility that Real Madrid never considered.

With Militao's recovery and the signing of Huijsen, the center-back position is once again strengthened this summer. It's true that doubts about Rüdiger and Asencio have arisen because of their World Cup. Even so, Vallejo knew that he had to look for another destination; we'll see if Albacete is the one.