Emotional sequence in Madrid. A few days before his duel at the top against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, the reigning Spanish champion was battling Real Bétis on the 38th and final day of La Liga. A meeting which ended in a draw (0-0) and also marked by the farewell of Toni Kroos at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Established in midfield, the German international played, this Saturday, his last championship match of his career since he announced this week that he would retire at the end of this season and Euro 2024 with Mannschaft. Kissed by his partners upon his exit, the 34-year-old player, replaced by Daniel Ceballos in the 87th minute of play, returned to the Madrid bench in tears to the applause of his supporters before being welcomed by his loved ones on the sidelines of the lawn.