Luka Modric, the most successful player of the current Real Madrid squad and winner of the 2018 Ballon d'Or, and Carlo Ancelotti, the team's most successful coach, bid farewell to the audience of the "Santiago Bernabeu" on Saturday. after a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga, BTA reported.
Modric, who arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, has cemented his place at the heart of Real's midfield through his technical excellence and creativity, playing 591 games and winning nearly 30 trophies, including a record six Champions League titles.
Although his 13-year stay at the club is not yet officially over, Saturday's match was his last chance to play in front of the "Bernabeu" fans who have supported him over the years.
The Croatian midfielder will leave Real after the Club World Cup, which begins next month in the United States.
"The moment I never wanted to come has come, but it has been a long but wonderful journey. "First of all, I want to thank the club, the president Florentino Perez," Modric said in an emotional speech.
"I want to thank all the coaches over all these years, the teammates who accompanied me and the people who helped me. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. Thank you also to my family. We won a lot, we had wonderful moments. This is 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.“ I want to say a phrase that I saw and liked: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened".
Carlo Ancelotti also bowed to the fans for the last time on Saturday and ended his second period at the helm of the club in an atypical way, without any trophy. However, the Italian will retire as the club's most successful coach, a testament to its 123-year history.
In his two terms, he has won 15 titles, including three Champions League titles, two Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, two Supercopas de Españas and one Intercontinental Cup.
"I am very happy, proud, it was an exceptional period. We cannot forget anything that happened and I leave with that, with the love of the people, with the pride of having coached a great club for a long time," Ancelotti told Real Madrid TV.
"Real Madrid is a home, a family. That's how it has been for the last six years. We had a great time because of the titles, the atmosphere... The relationship between the club, me and the players was good. I had exceptional players and Madrid will continue to have exceptional players. This is the day with the most emotion," Ancelotti added.
The 65-year-old, who will become Brazil coach, is expected to be replaced by former Real Madrid player and Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso before the Club World Cup.
"It is normal to cry, I leave here very happy. It was an honour, a pleasure to be part of this family and to write and enter the history of this club. That was the goal from day one. And I achieved it," added the excited Ancelotti.