Vazquez credits Zidane as the turning point of his career while Negreira’s shadow looms over Madrid’s locker room

A New Chapter in the Bundesliga

Lucas Vazquez sits down with Cadena COPE to discuss his move from Real Madrid to Bayer Leverkusen, the rhythm of the Bundesliga, and the pressure that comes with leaving a club he helped define. He explains that a fresh challenge is exactly what he wanted, even as the Real Madrid badge remains a fond part of his identity.

Zidane, Negreira, and the Real Madrid Era

Vazquez insists that Real Madrid was the summit of his career, and that comparisons with other clubs would miss the mark. He recalls the highs—from Champions League nights in Milan to the emotional celebrations with family at San Siro—while noting that his bond with teammates and staff endures beyond his departure.

On the field, he describes the Bundesliga as fast and demanding but rewarding, with quick adaptation and a refreshed sense of purpose. He confirms he turned down offers from Saudi clubs to stay in top-tier football and pursue ongoing competition at the highest level.

Regarding the ongoing refereeing debates surrounding the Negreira case, Vazquez maintains that refereeing in Germany is different and questions in Spain have sometimes magnified issues that are human and fallible. He adds that conversations in the Madrid dressing room reflected a desire for fair sport, but he stops short of blaming individuals for decisions that affect everyone.

In discussing his final season with Madrid, Vazquez says he does not regret it, acknowledging that losing rhythm and results are part of football’s natural ebb and flow. He highlights the lasting impressions left by teammates like Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo and notes that his relationships within the squad shaped a supportive environment, which he carries with him to Leverkusen.

He underlines his ambition to stay at the highest level and clarifies that his choice to move was about personal growth and new challenges rather than a lack of love for the club that helped him grow into a professional. The aim is clear: continue competing for titles while adding fresh chapters to a career built on consistency, discipline, and a deep appreciation for great teammates.

From a dressing room legend like Zidane to the new contours of his career, Vazquez’s journey proves that a player can honor the past while chasing excellence in a different league—and maybe, just maybe, redefine what greatness looks like after a long spell at the top.

As for the locker room culture and media scrutiny, Vazquez suggests that truth remains nuanced, and silence isn’t the same as support. He leaves Madrid with gratitude for the memories and with Leverkusen ready to write the next pages of his career—one match at a time.

And if you’re wondering how this ends, remember: in football, as in life, the offside is just a suggestion and the comeback story often writes itself—in bold, with a touch of flair, and a few perfectly placed goals to seal the deal.