On December 2, 2015, it appeared that lDenis Cheryshev's story at Real Madrid was going to change. And he did. Although not in the sense that the Spanish-Russian thought. After an excellent season on loan at Villarreal, Madrid played him back for their first team. It was one of his first chances. Cup match in Cádiz, then Second B team, at Carranza. Cheryshev responded and in minute 3 made it 0-1 for the Whites.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly. Until suddenly, still in the first part, the murmur began to run through the stands. Cheryshev dragged a penalty from the previous season and he couldn't play that game. Nobody had notified Rafa Benítez. Once the news was confirmed, still with Cheryshev on the grass, everything was upset. Bench, Box … and the Cadista stand, which found a reason for the joke and the joy despite the fact that his team was losing. “Cheryshev, I couldn't play…!”, “Benítez look at twitter…!” and the one that became a classic: “Cheryshev, I love you…!”.
Benitez retired Cheryshev from the field in the 46th minute, once they realized the fatal error. But it was of no use. The Federation declared the match and the tie for Madrid lost, due to improper alignment, days after. Since then, at Carranza, Cheryshev is an idol. In fact, weeks later, Cadiz shirts were even printed with the Russian's number and name. Even that year, Cheryshev starred in the Carnival theme of the troupe 'A country called Cádiz' in the chirigotas of Cádiz.
Although he was not at fault even though he acknowledged part of the error, Cheryshev's career at Madrid was practically cut short there. That was his first and only game of his life as a starter with the whites. He only played 14 more inconsequential minutes with the white shirt in a Madrid-Malmoe (8-0) Champions League. Later he was loaned to Valencia. Five years and four months later, Cheryshev returns to Carranza next Sunday. Coincidences of fate, he returns after overcoming an injury that has separated him from the stadiums for two months. He has been training normally all week and could have minutes. Since that day he had not set foot in Carranza, the stadium where he is most 'loved'. At least this time, without an audience, the stands will be prevented from reminding him of what happened that day with the now classic “Cheryshev, I love you…!”.