Madrid, Ancelotti and La Liga: Diego López’s penultimate dance

Vive Diego Lopez (Paradela, 03-11-1981) affected by lto the same uncertainty that surrounds the coach, the sports management and half of the Espanyol squad, whose future is up in the air. But the case of the goalkeeper is special, due to his career six seasons at the clubbecause to this day it is still indisputable in the goal and because has surpassed the barrier of 40 years. His visit to the Bernabeu, which is not one more. What can represent your penultimate dance.

With the whites there was his debut in the elite almost 17 years agoon December 6, 2005, in a Olympiacos-Real Madrid (2-1) of Championsa competition that would end up conqueringback to Chamartín, in 2014 and next to the Copa del Rey under the orders of Carlo Ancelottiwho gave him the title that season in the League, a title that eluded him and whose achievement with the Italian on the bench he can now attend as a visitor. Villarreal, Seville, Milan and the National Team complete the roadmap of a fit goalkeeper, willing to stay in the fight, who chases in longevity the bético Joaquín Sánchezbut that depends on Espanyol’s decision.

“I would like to continue at Espanyol, we will see what happens“, stated Diego López on March 29, aware that his contract will expire in five gamesdespite the fact that he is the starting goalkeeper, with 31 days behind him –all of them, except for two in which he was injured–, the fifth best LaLiga player in aerial defensive playaccording to Olocip’s Artificial Intelligence, and the 53rd in the championship in total value. All this, a year after having been awarded the trophy Zamora of Second Division.

Today all options are open to the oldest footballer who has worn the Espanyol shirtafter surpassing this season a legend like Alfredo di Stéfano. From stay at the perico club, his second home, at change destination -He had it done with Celta, without going any further, a couple of years ago- even going through a withdrawal that would make this visit to Real Madrid an even more extraordinary event.