Pablo Fornals left in tears at what David Moyes did before West Ham United exit
Pablo Fornals has revealed David Moyes made him cry on his final day as a West Ham United player with a speech in front of the whole team.
Fornals made over 200 appearances in four-and-a-half years as a Hammer before departing for Real Betis on the cusp of the winter transfer deadline earlier this year.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas [9 October], the attacking midfielder admitted he was emotional after Moyes thanked him for his service in front of the squad after he left the home dressing room for the final time following a 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth.
“I was in the stadium with the team for that match. I asked Moyes if he could put me in the squad because I wanted to help until the last second. I told him, ‘If you need me, I am ready’. But the club decided no,” Fornals said.
“After the match, I recorded a video expressing my appreciation to everyone who supported me and my family. I was really emotional because the manager did a beautiful speech about me in front of everyone. It’s something I will never forget. The manager didn’t want me to leave but knew I wanted to play.
“Although he wasn’t able to play me week in, week out, that speech made me realise how proud he was of what I’d done and the love he had for me as a person. There’s some moments where words are not needed – I started crying. All my teammates hugged me and started singing my chant. I was sad when I left the London Stadium.”
Pablo Fornals recommended West Ham to new summer signings
Fornals is a player who Irons fans will remember well, and his shimmering appearance record in under five years shows that until the final months of his stint, he was one of the club’s key figures on the pitch.
His love is clearly reciprocated, and he is even still helping the club while back in his homeland – having convinced midfielders Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez to opt for a move to East London.
His Hammers teammates at his wedding in Spain sang his chant which was commonly heard inside the London Stadium and around the grounds of England and wider Europe, which in the player’s mind establishes the club as one which will never leave him.
The Moyes era is typified by players like Fornals, who gave their all and ultimately gained the club success.
