Óscar Mingueza has published his farewell on social media, some 45 days after his last encounter dressed in celeste. His departure had been an open secret for months, with the club having already announced the end of his time in Vigo on June 30th, a week before his personal message.
The Catalan player opted to wait a few days longer before making his statement. This was reportedly due to his impending announcement of a new destination in the coming hours, wishing first to share some words for the fans who had supported him over the past four years.
An Emotional Goodbye to Vigo
Mingueza’s extensive message was described as emotional, filled with gratitude and deep sentiment. He began by explaining his arrival in Vigo, stating, “I arrived in Vigo with the hope of starting a new adventure. A city and a club that welcomed my wife and me with open arms.”
He continued by expressing the pride and responsibility he felt from the very first day of wearing the celeste shirt. The defender affirmed he had always tried to give his best and with the greatest enthusiasm to defend the club’s badge.
European Nights and a Family Home
Mingueza stated he leaves feeling “peaceful and happy” to have been part of the group, which he described as a family. This group, he noted, managed to write a page in the club’s history by returning Celta to European competition for two consecutive years. He spoke fondly of living through European nights at Balaídos, listening to the Centenario anthem, and accompanied his publication with the ‘Oliveira dos cen anos’.
He highlighted the personal significance of his time, saying, “Vigo has become more than a city; it has become a home, where our two children Bruna and Luca were born.” He added that a small part of his family would always belong to this land.
Thanks to Teammates and Supporters
After four seasons, Mingueza conveyed that he could only express thanks. He extended his gratitude to all his teammates, coaches, technical staff, physiotherapists, kitmen, and all the people who work at the club to make their daily lives easier. It was noted that he did not mention anyone from the offices in his message.
He offered special thanks to “celtismo” – the fans. He described the same fervent supporters who were cheering and backing the team four years ago when they were battling relegation on the final day, as the very same faces celebrating two successive qualifications for Europe. Mingueza concluded his message by stating it had been an honour to defend those colours.
Among the many former teammates who reacted to Óscar Mingueza’s publication, Borja Iglesias’s message was particularly special. After debuting in the World Cup yesterday and celebrating the national team’s qualification for the quarter-finals, “the Panda” dedicated some affectionate words to the Catalan defender: “I’m going to miss you a lot and I wish you the best. I love you very much.”