Nicolas Velez gives heartfelt message to NorthEast United fans

A 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kerala Blasters was the last nail in NorthEast United's coffin as they finished fifth on the table for a second season running, missing out on the semi-finals by four points. The Highlanders needed a win to qualify for the playoffs but succumbed to a devastating defeat courtesy of a CK Vineeth goal.

In the match against Kerala, NorthEast missed the services of their Argentine striker Nicolas Velez, who had limped off the field in their previous match. The Argentine had earlier kept the team in the running for a playoff spot with his two crucial equalisers in the match against Chennaiyin FC. Velez was left devastated following the defeat and used Facebook to tell his fans about his anguish.

"For the fans who ask why I did not play today, I tried until the last moment. I went out to the field to warm up with my team-mates but I still felt pain and that's why I could not be available. I just have to thank all my team-mates who gave their everything till the end, the coaching staff and all the staff members. I take the best memory of each one of you and hopefully we will meet again someday. To the fans, who were always, in good and bad times, supporting and believing in us, I just say sorry and those who didn’t, I also thank them because they have made us stronger. We arrived like this and we go like this, as a team... Thank you NorthEast United FC. You will be a part of my life forever," Velez wrote.

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