Sanchis ready for 'Adios'

Real Madrid veteran Manolo Sanchis is preparing for his exit from the club after 22 years service at the Bernabeu.

Sanchis came on for Roberto Carlos midway through Sunday's game at Oviedo in what was his 860th appearance for the Merengues.

Now in his final days as a Real Madrid player, Sanchis will be given a royal send-off with a celebratory dinner to be held in his honour on Wednesday.

Sanchis has rejected the idea of a testimonial match, preferring to wave goodbye to the fans in next Sunday's game against Valladolid at the Bernabeu.

The player, who made his debut for Real Madrid back in 1983 said on Monday: "Finishing after 22 years, I'll doubtless go through a period of cold turkey."

"It's going to be a huge change for me, but with me will be two memories etched in my mind - my debut for Real on 4th December 1983 and the day we won the seventh Champions League trophy."

Sanchis has been studying management and administration skills at University to prepare him for a backroom post after his retirement from the game.

He added: "My first intention is to go out on the 17th June in the most dignified way possible, then I'll officially retire on the 30th June. After that, we'll see what happens."