Guti leaves Real after 25 years, looks to Besiktas
Source: Agencies |
July 26, 2010, Monday
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REAL Madrid midfielder Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez is leaving the La Liga giant after a quarter of a century and mulling an offer from Turkish club Besiktas.
The 33-year-old former Spain international, who joined Real's youth setup in 1985 and made his first-team debut a decade later, helped Real win five domestic league titles and three European Champions League titles.
A hero among hardcore fans and a club captain, he would be coached at Besiktas by German Bernd Schuster, who was in charge at Real between 2007 and 2008.
"I am leaving with the knowledge that the Real Madrid family loves me and that's very important," Guti said at a news conference at Real's Bernabeu stadium yesterday.
Asked about his future, he added: "I have an interesting offer from Besiktas but I haven't decided yet. What I know for sure is that wherever I go I will give my best."
Reports in Spain in recent days have said that another of Real's long-term servants, striker Raul, is also set to leave the Bernabeu and will announce his departure for German Bundesliga club Schalke 04 today.
Guti, who had another year to run on his contract, was signed to Real at the age of eight and came up through the club's academy before making his debut in a 4-1 victory over Sevilla on December 2, 1995.
He scored 86 goals in 542 games for the Meringues.
"They're a lot of years and many (were) complicated but in the end I managed to achieve the most important things," said Guti, who wore the No. 14 shirt. "So many years here ... an unforgettable stage (of my life)."
Guti mostly started on the bench over the last two seasons due to injuries and inconsistent form.
"He is a special player who managed to surprise us in every game," said managing director Jorge Valdano, who gave Guti his first call-up as coach. "A true Madridista."
Raul, 33, another club captain and a talisman for the fans, made his debut for Real in La Liga in October 1994 at the age of 17 and has won six league titles and three Champions Leagues, twice finishing top scorer in the Spanish league.
In October last year, he equaled German Gerd Mueller's record of 66 goals in the three main European club competitions when he scored against AC Milan in the Champions League.
The 33-year-old former Spain international, who joined Real's youth setup in 1985 and made his first-team debut a decade later, helped Real win five domestic league titles and three European Champions League titles.
A hero among hardcore fans and a club captain, he would be coached at Besiktas by German Bernd Schuster, who was in charge at Real between 2007 and 2008.
"I am leaving with the knowledge that the Real Madrid family loves me and that's very important," Guti said at a news conference at Real's Bernabeu stadium yesterday.
Asked about his future, he added: "I have an interesting offer from Besiktas but I haven't decided yet. What I know for sure is that wherever I go I will give my best."
Reports in Spain in recent days have said that another of Real's long-term servants, striker Raul, is also set to leave the Bernabeu and will announce his departure for German Bundesliga club Schalke 04 today.
Guti, who had another year to run on his contract, was signed to Real at the age of eight and came up through the club's academy before making his debut in a 4-1 victory over Sevilla on December 2, 1995.
He scored 86 goals in 542 games for the Meringues.
"They're a lot of years and many (were) complicated but in the end I managed to achieve the most important things," said Guti, who wore the No. 14 shirt. "So many years here ... an unforgettable stage (of my life)."
Guti mostly started on the bench over the last two seasons due to injuries and inconsistent form.
"He is a special player who managed to surprise us in every game," said managing director Jorge Valdano, who gave Guti his first call-up as coach. "A true Madridista."
Raul, 33, another club captain and a talisman for the fans, made his debut for Real in La Liga in October 1994 at the age of 17 and has won six league titles and three Champions Leagues, twice finishing top scorer in the Spanish league.
In October last year, he equaled German Gerd Mueller's record of 66 goals in the three main European club competitions when he scored against AC Milan in the Champions League.
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