It is a moment of a fairly exceptional rarity that occurred this Saturday afternoon on the side of Madrid. For the 38th and last day of Liga, the White House received the Real Sociedad for a match that had for sporty butter, the two teams having nothing more to play in the league. In Bernabéu, interest was elsewhere. This May 24, two men now considered as legends of the Spanish capital made their farewell to an audience they have known for many years: Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric. The Italian had known his latest match at the head of the White House since his return in 2021, while the second was playing his very last homes before flying to the United States for the Club World Cup, then bowing out.
Author of a double, which allowed his team to win 2-0, Kylian Mbappé was not the Madrilene star of the weekend. Even before kick -off, the tone had been set by the supporters: the objective was today to celebrate the two myths. Huge tifos had been deployed in the stands in their effigy. You could see a representation of the two protagonists, accompanied by a ” Thank you Carletto ” And ” Thank you Luka »Under each of them. But the most striking moments for those who are officially ex-Madrid, and the one who will be on June 30, occurred at the end of the game. Modric experienced an absolutely fantastic ovation when it was released, while Encelotti remembered the good old days at a press conference.
Luka Modric celebrated, Carlo Ancelotti already nostalgic
87th minute of the meeting, Carlo Ancelotti then decided to replace Luka Modric, in order to give him a magical moment: an ovation from the whole of the Bernabéu, standing to celebrate his player. His teammates, but also the Basque players, then formed a large hedge of honor to accompany his exit. The one who had sent his corner directly to Sergio Ramos' head during the 2014 Champions League final was able to find his family, but also an old friend: Toni Kroos. The German, who had also farewell to the Merengue people on May 25, 2024 in this same pregnant, was present to take in his arms the one with whom he shared the same cloakroom for nine years. At the final whistle, he was able to address fans, not without emotion: ” The time came when I never wanted to come, but it was a long but wonderful trip. I want to thank the club, President Florentino Pérez. I wanted to thank all the coaches during all these years, my teammates who accompanied me and all the people who made me want for all this time. My family too, without all this, it would not be possible. It's difficult, but in the end, we have won a lot, we had wonderful moments, but the biggest trophy is your affection, your love you have given me all these years. There are no words to thank you for everything you have given me over the years. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. Hala Madrid and nothing else! It was then Carlo Ancelotti who lent himself to the exercise.
Very moved, the Mister seized the microphone after his latest eighty minutes with the White House, to address those to whom he will have brought so many emotions in recent years. Tears in their eyes, the one who won three Champions League with the Merengue returned to some of the unforgettable moments lived during his second visit to Real Madrid: “ Good evening. I don't think it's so easy to speak today. It was an honor and a pleasure to train this club, this team. First of all, I would like to thank my dear president, Florentino Pérez. It was a wonderful experience, thank you for these moments. It was wonderful to live it with you. It is an unforgettable story. No one can forget Karim's three goals against Paris Saint-Germain, nor the two goals of Rodrygo against Manchester City, nor Luka's assist. No one can forget Joselu's two goals. I can't forget every day that I spent here. I will conclude with nothing other than Hala Madrid. I love you all with all my heart. After seeing Toni Kroos leaves last year, Real Madrid loses new two of its symbols.
