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Madril's striker, this season on loan, Fernando Morientes, or simply Nando, his resurgence is truly a fairytale of the season. Taking into account that it was precisely this Spaniard's goals that helped "Monaco" eliminate "Real" in the Champions League quarter-finals, the fairy tale becomes even more interesting.
Professional approach
"Eliminating "Real" is truly something extraordinary," said the Spaniard after the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final, which "Monaco" won 3-1 and advanced. "I don't hold a grudge. I had to play against my friends, but I am a professional."
Tough times
Nando, before joining "Monaco", went through tough times within "Real" - mostly starting games on the bench. The one to blame was none other than the Brazilian Ronaldo, who arrived at the royal club in 2001 and took the place of this previously well-performing Spaniard.
"My heart is white"
"I had to leave "Real" to be happy and to play," said Fernando. "At one point, I felt so bad that I even thought I wasn't worthy of being a footballer." However, Morientes did not turn his back on "Real" who had let him go: "I forgive them everything because my heart is white."
Deschamps' role
"Teams like ours, wanting to play like the big clubs, have to run more, fight more if they want to win," said the most prolific player in the Champions League, scoring 11 goals. "Deschamps values tactics more. Furthermore, he recently ended his player career, so he is closer to the team."
About his role in "Monaco"
Fernando became the missing component of "Monaco's" mechanism. He helped the team's player to shine and at the same time regained confidence in himself. "I came to "Monaco" very modestly inclined," said Nando. "Most of the team's players, unlike me, had never played in the Champions League. I thought my experience could be useful."
Great season
Nando led "Monaco" to unprecedented heights - the Champions League final, was invited to represent Spain in the European Championship, and almost made "Real" fans beg for his return. Not a bad season for a player who did not find a place in Madrid...
Numbers
He scored 10 goals in the French championship. He scored 11 goals in the Champions League. He represented the Spanish national team 32 times and scored 21 goals.
