In what will be remembered as a historic and emotional evening at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid said farewell to three of its most cherished figures — manager Carlo Ancelotti, midfield maestro Luka Modric, and long-serving winger Lucas Vazquez — following a 2-0 triumph over Real Sociedad.
Kylian Mbappé stole the spotlight on the pitch, scoring twice to secure the win for Los Blancos.
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His first came from the penalty spot in the 38th minute, and he later sealed the result in the 83rd minute, finishing off a brilliant move initiated by Vinicius Jr.
The performance underlined Real Madrid’s dominance, as reflected in their expected goals (xG) tally of 2.49, far surpassing La Real’s 0.80.However, beyond the statistics and scoreline, the night belonged to the departing legends.
Lucas Vazquez was the first to be substituted, receiving thunderous applause from the crowd as he left the field, visibly emotional.
Moments later, Luka Modric followed, prompting a wave of tears from supporters who have adored the Croatian’s artistry for more than a decade.
In an extraordinary gesture of respect, both Real Madrid and Real Sociedad players formed a guard of honour for Modric, momentarily pausing the match to recognize his contributions.
Then came the most poignant farewell of all — that of Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian tactician, who has overseen some of the club’s most glorious moments and leaves as the most decorated manager in Real Madrid’s storied history, was saluted by the entire stadium.
Chants of gratitude echoed around the Bernabéu as he took in the scene one last time.
While Modric and Vazquez are expected to represent Real Madrid in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup this summer, Ancelotti’s departure marks the end of a managerial era defined by trophies, tactical mastery, and unshakable poise.
The final whistle was not just the end of a match — it was the closing chapter of an unforgettable legacy.
