image source, Getty Images
- author, andy west
- role, spanish soccer writer
Although they have played a total of 700 games and won 39 titles for Real Madrid, Lucas Vázquez and Nacho still somehow keep a low profile and are less well-known than their more famous team-mates.
But in recent weeks, the long-time veteran has stepped out of the shadows and played a key role in the team's progress towards another league and European double.
And while neither may start in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich, this decade has shown me that their time will inevitably come and that they are ready. I have shown it to others.
It's time to praise Real's unknown duo.
It was probably the best week of Vazquez's career.
After coming off the bench in extra time to replace Vinicius Junior in Real's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City, the 32-year-old was tasked with taking his team's third penalty in a nervy shoot-out. was appointed.
For a player who has built his entire career on never letting anyone down, it was no wonder he coolly fired a spot-kick into the bottom left corner and casually made his way back to the halfway line as if nothing had happened.
Four days later, Vazquez shined even brighter when Real hosted Barcelona in El Clasico.
Acting as Dani Carvajal's substitute at right-back, he won a penalty for his team's first goal and scored his second with a fine first-time finish to make it 2-2, before a dramatic injury to Jude Bellingham. He completed a perfect performance by supplying a cross. Winner of time.
The England ace showed his gratitude by celebrating alongside Vazquez, and later posted a simple message on social media. [expletive] Legend.
image source, Getty Images
This explanation is not much of an exaggeration. That's because throughout the past decade, Vazquez's steady presence on the right flank, both as a traditional winger and as a phenomenal full-back, has been a consistent feature of a team that is constantly evolving.
Born in the Galicia region in northwestern Spain, Vazquez moved to the capital at the age of 16 to join Real. He came through the club's junior ranks before being promoted to senior football on a season-long loan to Espanyol in 2014. 15.
He quickly proved to be a tireless performer with a good team ethic and aggressiveness in the final product, making 39 appearances during his debut season and earning promotion to Real's first team upon his return.
Since then, he hasn't been away from games, appearing in at least 30 games every season, with the exception of 2019-20, when he missed the season with a broken toe.
With stars like Gareth Bale, Rodrygo and Carvajal on the right, Vazquez rarely started regularly. But he's always ready to patiently wait his turn, and as Bellingham's display of affection shows, he's definitely well-regarded in the dressing room.
Vazquez is likely to stay a little longer. His contract expires this summer, but he is thought to be close to agreeing a new deal to extend his stay at the Bernabéu.
And looking at his recent performances, he's certainly earned it.
'Gloomy' Nacho takes responsibility
The other penalty taker in the penalty shootout against City was Nacho, who played the full 120 minutes as the center of defense, firing a powerful shot that sent Ederson flying in the opposite direction for his fourth spot-kick.
His key role in the victory over the English champions is fitting, as he has previously produced some great performances to keep Erling Haaland in check and has been more essential than ever in recent months. there were.
Normally content to play the role of a versatile substitute whenever a vacancy occurs somewhere in the back four, Nacho has been substituted into manager Carlo Ancelotti's first team due to long-term injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba. Antonio Rudiger joins the central defense pairing of choice.
Ancelotti's faith in Nacho was underlined in January when the club refused to rush into the transfer window despite injuries to Militao and Alaba, instead putting their faith in Nacho to step up.
And it's nothing new. That's because the Italian manager has always been a keen defender of the versatility of Nacho, who was appointed club captain following the departure of Karim Benzema last summer.
Specifically, Ancelotti has given him unique praise, describing him as a “pessimistic” defender. He always expects the worst, which gives him the foresight necessary to eliminate dangerous moments that others did not foresee.
image source, Getty Images
Nacho's success in building an illustrious career is made all the more impressive by the fact that he was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 12, a year after joining Real's youth team.
He ignored initial advice to quit football and now says his diabetes helped shape his career and he had to learn to take responsibility for his body and diet at an unusually early age. I believe.
That independence is always evident in his play, with Nacho moving around without complaint wherever he is needed to fill gaps in the back four, often waiting on the bench without complaint.
His performance against City may not be enough to keep him in the team. Militao is now fit again and could well replace Nacho for a run-in starting with Tuesday's trip to Harry Kane's Bayern.
Like Vazquez, 34-year-old Nacho's contract expires this summer, but it is highly unlikely that he will renew his contract amid speculation that he could move to Italy or the United States.
It will be difficult for Real to say goodbye after a career spanning more than 20 years, but retiring with the Champions League trophy would be the perfect finale.
