Saturday night at Santiago Bernabeu turned into a powerful blend of past and future, as Real Madrid’s match against Real Sociedad became a heartfelt farewell for two club legends—and a brilliant stage for Kylian Mbappe to shine.
In his debut season with Real Madrid, Mbappe may have had a slow start, but he finished in scintillating form. The French forward scored twice in this match, ending the season with a remarkable 31 goals.
His first goal came in the 38th minute—after his initial penalty was saved, he calmly slotted home the rebound. His second was a stunning left-footed strike in the 83rd minute, sealing his brace in style.
Yet, the emotional core of the evening lay in the farewells. Legendary head coach Carlo Ancelotti and veteran midfielder Luka Modrić both said goodbye to the Bernabeu faithful.
Ancelotti, who will take charge of the Brazil national team starting May 26, leaves behind an incredible legacy—15 trophies across two spells, including La Liga and the Champions League. Before kickoff, a tribute banner was unveiled in the stands in his honor.
Meanwhile, 39-year-old Croatian maestro Luka Modric has confirmed he will leave Real Madrid this summer after the Club World Cup. Since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, Modric has spent over a decade at the club, winning 28 major titles—six Champions League and four La Liga trophies among them.
In a deeply emotional moment, Modrić was substituted late in the game and walked off the pitch through a ‘guard of honor’ formed by teammates and opponents. The crowd’s applause, heartfelt embraces from teammates, and the presence of his family made for a touching farewell fitting of a club legend.
UA / TDS
