David Albelda has reflected on why he is leaving Valencia at the end of the season and determined that he doesn’t care much for a special send-off.
The midfielder, who confirmed earlier in the season that 2012-13 would likely be the last of his 18 years at the club, has explained further this week the thinking behind his decision.
“I respond to my body, I feel privileged to be 35 and at a club like Valencia, with the requirement that they have and to have endured it,” commented Albelda to Marca today.
“But there are other things. My idea was to leave at a time when I could still play, to be competitive.
“In the first months of the season with Mauricio Pellegrino, I barely played and I thought that this was not the way, I did not want to spend my last year like this.
“My best farewell to Valencia would be to help them achieve their objective. I do not expect a party.
“In football we are here to get results and the satisfaction for me is in the years I have been here, rather than a precise moment of a farewell celebration.
“The recognition of the fans is what one wins day by day, over the years they have competed, not a few minutes of glory.”
The midfielder was asked of highlights of the past and ambitions for beyond the summer.
“At the moment I am concerned by this, the day to day, getting maximum enjoyment. Obviously I would like to leave with Valencia in the Champions League.
“I know that it will be difficult, and if it can be done, it will be. I have enjoyed football, I hope to continue doing so for some years, but I also know that this is complicated, because it is normal that clubs will consider my age.”
Albelda could be joined on the way out of the club by Coach Ernesto Valverde, who continues to appear reluctant to commit himself to a new contract beyond June.
“I understand his concerns. A person who comes here, assesses the situation and sees the hectic social side, it is normal to think about it.
“But Valencia are also a major club, they can give you a big chance.”
