Salgado grateful for decade at Real Madrid

Spanish international defender Michel Salgado, who is to part company with Real Madrid after ten years, said Wednesday it was a “privilege” to have worked with some of the best players in the world during his past decade at the club.

“I have to thank my partners because it was a privilege to work at their side, to share the dressing room with the best (players) in the world,” he told a news conference.

“I was to especially thank those who were close to me during these ten years: Raul, Iker, Guti and also Roberto Carlos, who is no longer with the team but who I shared many moments with, he is also the godfather of my daughter.”

“It is going to be really difficult to wear the jersey of another team, but now when I go home I still feel I can play football for a few years more and enjoy something that is my life.”

Real said Tuesday that they and Salgado had “agreed to end their collaboration”. The announcement followed news that the club have agreed to buy Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso from Liverpool.

Salgado, 33, arrived at Real from Celta Vigo in 1999 and had a contract until 2011, but played little last season.

He won two Champions League titles with Real Madrid in 2000 and 2002, the Intercontinental Cup in 2002 and four Primera Liga titles in 2001, 2003, 2007 and 2008.