Gabi: I will explain how I feel about Atletico Madrid on Saturday Atletico Madrid Former captain to return for tribute from fans

Many Atletico Madrid fans were left stunned in the summer when Gabi left the club after years as one of the first names on the team sheet, but the captain shall return to bid farewell on Saturday.

Now playing for Al Sadd, he will be at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano as his former club face Espanyol in the last game of the calendar year.

"I have a mix of emotions, with melancholy for the moments I've lived and excitement for what's waiting on Saturday," he said at the presentation of an album of Atletico-related hymns on Thursday.

"For me it is important to say goodbye to the people who have followed my career and, in some way, formed part of my life.

"That's important.

"I want to experience it like everything I have experienced here, with emotion, feeling important and expressing how I feel.

"I'm sure it will be a beautiful moment.

"In the end, everything from the heart is important for me."

The midfielder was keen to point out that he wishes to thank those who have supported him.

"It will be a day of thanks, they have been the most important foundation for this club, all of those who can come and those who can't too," he said of the fans.

"I think that at the end of your sporting career you win titles and earn money, but what is most important is the affection that people remember you with."

Gabi was also keen to be reunited with many of those who shared a dressing room with him until as recently as May.

"They have been the most important teammates that I have had because they became my friends and that stays with me," he said affectionately.

"In the end, making a beautiful group, who know how to compete and win, is very difficult.

"The power of achieving it in the club you love... well imagine, it's a dream.

"Atletico Madrid have given me everything and I'm grateful, so on Saturday I will dedicate all I can to how I feel and I'll say how I feel about this club which has given me my life."

The club are also set to hold a special exhibition, including 14 images from the iconic career of their former No.14.