Real Madrid’s Ancelotti, Modric bid Bernabéu farewell

 Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modri? said goodbye to the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-0, with Ancelotti saying the emotion he felt topped winning the Champions League.

Madrid had made the departure of coach Ancelotti — who leaves to take charge of the Brazil national team — official on Friday, a day after announcing that midfielder Modri?, 39, would also be departing this summer.

Modri?, who has won a club record 28 trophies with Madrid, will leave after this summer’s Club World Cup in the United States, where the team will be coached by Xabi Alon­so, whose arrival is expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

“It’s been an honour, a pleasure, to coach this club,” Ancelotti said, speaking to the crowd after the final whistle. “It’s an unforgettable story. Nobody will forget Karim Benzema’s three goals against Paris Saint-Germain in 2022. Nobody will forget Rodrygo’s two goals against Manchester City that same year. No­body will forget Joselu’s two goals against Bayern Munich, in 2024. And I won’t forget every day I’ve spent here. Ciao.”

Ancelotti is the most decorated manager in Madrid’s history, with 15 trophies won over six years, in two spells.

Ancelotti had a contract at Ma­drid until 2026, but a season without a major trophy — missing out to Barcelona in LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, and eliminated in the Cham­pions League quarterfinals — con­vinced the club to make a change.

Modri? has spent 13 years at Madrid, becoming one of the most influential midfielders in the club’s  

 long history. His contract will expire this summer, after Madrid’s involvement in the Club World Cup is concluded.

“The moment I never wanted to come has arrived,” Modri? said, speaking to the Bernabéu crowd. “It’s been a long, marvellous journey. I want to thank the club, the president Florentino Pérez, all the coaches I’ve had all these years, my teammates, and all the people who’ve helped me.

“We’ve won a lot, we’ve had marvellous moments, we’ve won a lot of trophies, but the biggest trophy I’ve won has been your affec­tion, and your love. There’s a phrase I like: don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Modri?’s 28 trophies include a joint-record six Champions Leagues, and four La Liga titles.

“My biggest trophy is the affec­tion and love from the Real Madrid fans,” he told Real Madrid TV. “From day one until today, that’s what I’ll remember… It’s a very emotional day. On the way to the stadium and in the dressing room, it was very difficult for me. I’m very, very grateful and happy.”

Both Ancelotti and Modri? cited Madrid’s epic run of comebacks in the 2022 Champions League. –ESPN

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