AdminFormer West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals has revealed the emotional struggle he endured during his January move to Real Betis, admitting he was “crying like I’ve almost never cried” as the transfer faced collapse.
Fornals, a beloved figure among West Ham supporters, joined the club in 2019 from Villarreal and quickly became a fan favourite, admired for his hard work and focus.
One of the highlights of his Hammers career came in the 2022/23 season when he scored a decisive breakaway goal in the semi-final against AZ Alkmaar, securing West Ham’s place in the Europa Conference League final.
However, the Spaniard’s playing time reduced under David Moyes, leaving him frustrated and increasingly homesick.
Seeking more regular football and longing for a return to Spain, Fornals became a key target for Real Betis, managed by former West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini.Speaking on the Offsiders podcast, Fornals described the challenges surrounding his move.
“In the Premier League, I had fulfilled a dream, but when you are no longer so happy when you get home, they notice it too.
My son had a hard time adapting to the school there… We saw that it was time to leave and how lucky we were to arrive at Betis,” he explained.
Despite Betis’ interest, the transfer nearly fell through due to administrative errors. “West Ham made a mistake in some information, and the operation was not completed… I was at the stadium, saying goodbye to my teammates, and I was crying like I’ve rarely cried in my life. Fortunately, UEFA authorised the move after reviewing the details.”
Ultimately, Fornals completed his return to Spain, but his emotional departure underlined his deep connection with West Ham and its fans.
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