Real Madrid hosted Real Sociedad on Saturday for the final matchday of LaLiga. With nothing at stake, the Whites ended up winning 2-0 in a particularly emotional match due to the farewells of Modric and Carlo Ancelotti, who said goodbye to the Santiago Bernabéu today.
The farewells of Modric and Ancelotti, two legendary figures at Real Madrid
The farewells for both Modric and Ancelotti began before the match. A huge shirt with the number 10 and the name of Luka Modric was unfurled in the center of the Santiago Bernabéu pitch as the players took to the field.
The stands also paid tribute to the legends of the club with a tifo display at each end of the stadium when the names of Modric and Ancelotti were announced over the loudspeakers. “Thank you, Carletto,” read the message on the north end, accompanied by a photo of the Italian. At the same time, a banner was unfurled reading ‘gracias leyenda’ (thank you, legend) accompanied by a photo of the Croatian on the south end of the Bernabéu.
The second big moment of the farewell came in the 85th minute, when Luka Modric’s substitution was announced. The Croatian left the field to a standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabéu. The starting players and substitutes from both teams formed a guard of honor for the Croatian in his final seconds on the Santiago Bernabéu pitch. Toni Kroos also did not want to miss his friend and teammate’s farewell and came down to the pitch, along with Modric’s children, to embrace the man who has been his partner for more than 10 years.
Ovation, applause, and guard of honor
After the match, no one moved from the pitch as Real Madrid had prepared a tribute to bid farewell to their legends on such an important day. The first was Carlo Ancelotti, who was greeted with a standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabéu. The Italian made his way to the center of the pitch where he gave an emotional speech bidding farewell to the fans who have supported him for more than six years.
“You don’t have to think it’s easy to speak today, but I’m going to try (he becomes emotional),” Carlo began. “First of all, I want to thank my dear president, Florentino. It has been fantastic to coach a squad of such extraordinary quality and to share these moments with you.”
The winner of six Champions League titles and 15 trophies in total during his two spells in charge of the Whites continued by recalling the most memorable goals and moments of his second spell in charge of Real Madrid, the Real Madrid of ‘miracles’: “It’s an unforgettable story. No one can forget Karim’s three goals against PSG, Rodrygo’s two against City, Luka’s pass against Chelsea. No one can forget Joselu’s two goals. And I can’t forget every day I’ve spent here either.“ He ended with the Real Madrid motto: ”Hala Madrid and nothing else. I love you all very much. Ciao.“
”Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
After the coach’s speech, an emotional video was shown on the video screens, reviewing the triumphs and key moments of the Croatian’s career with Real Madrid. At the end of the video, Luka Modric’s name was announced as he made his way to the center of the Santiago Bernabéu pitch, where he gave another emotional speech bidding farewell to what has been his home for the last 13 years.
“The moment I never wanted to come has arrived, but it has been a long but wonderful journey,” began the Whites’ number 10 on the pitch. “First of all, I wanted to thank the club, the president Florentino Pérez. I wanted to thank all the coaches over the years, my teammates who accompanied me and the people who helped me. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.”
“To my family too. We have won a lot, we have had wonderful moments. Your love that you have given me over all these years. There are no words to thank you for everything you have given me over the years.
Finally, he concluded with the Real Madrid motto: ”I want to say a phrase that I saw and liked: Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Hala Madrid and nothing else,” concluded the Croatian.
After the speeches, both Modric and Ancelotti made their way to the Santiago Bernabéu bench, where they were carried aloft by their teammates before leaving the Santiago Bernabéu pitch for the last time. That was the final farewell for Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric at the home of Real Madrid.