Jesus Vallejo was among the few Real Madrid players who departed the club last summer after his contract expired at Santiago Bernabeu.
Having struggled for playing time and recognition under Carlo Ancelotti, the defender was released and subsequently signed with Albacete, a team in Spain’s second division.
In a recent interview with AS, Vallejo reflected on his time at Real Madrid, his experience at Albacete, and notably, his decision to decline an offer from Atletico Madrid.
Jesus Vallejo Turns Down Atletico Madrid
Vallejo shared that Atletico Madrid had shown interest in him during his youth career at the Zaragoza academy, but he chose to reject their offer.
“When I was in Zaragoza’s youth setup, Villarreal and Atletico reached out to me. At that point, Zaragoza had faith in me, so I decided to stay. I felt valued there,” he explained.
However, when Real Madrid came calling in 2015, Vallejo had no hesitation, although he was initially keen on remaining at Zaragoza for an additional year, which he did via a loan arrangement.
“When Madrid approached me, it felt different. I was on vacation when my agent informed me that they would make an offer to Zaragoza matching my release clause of €5 million,” he recounted.
“I was thrilled and eager to return to Zaragoza to discuss matters, and I was also looking forward to another year there,” he added.
Vallejo Reflects on His Early Days at Real Madrid
After spending a decade at Real Madrid, Vallejo departed the club permanently last summer. He expressed admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo during his early years there.
“Cristiano was the one who stood out the most for me in the Madrid locker room. His dedication and consistency are what set him apart. He had a significant effect on me and was always willing to offer advice,” Vallejo shared.
“I didn’t see much playing time in my first season, but Zidane was always transparent. He was supportive at every stage. He had defined roles, yet players could earn their spots,” he noted.
Reflecting on his return to the Bernabeu after a series of loans at Granada, Vallejo stated, “The Bernabeu has a unique quality. I’ve seen players from teams like PSG or City, who usually excel, start making mistakes in that environment.”
“The presence of the Bernabeu is daunting. I’ve never played away, but I can see how the stadium can influence matches; opposing players feel that pressure,” he recalled.
Vallejo also discussed Julen Lopetegui, expressing regret that he joined Real Madrid during challenging times.
“It’s unfortunate that Lopetegui didn’t have a longer tenure at Madrid. He’s an excellent coach, but he arrived at a demanding club during a tough time. That year was particularly challenging. When Zidane returned, he told us he was coming to endure the struggles alongside us,” he reflected.
Lastly, Vallejo reminisced about the memorable 2022 Champions League semifinal against Manchester City, where he made a significant defensive contribution.
“In that famous tie against City, I remember Militao was feeling some discomfort, but I knew he could still play; he was ready. I was excited to participate because I felt confident,” he concluded.