“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened” were the words of the departure of Real Madrid -midfielder Luka Modric after playing his last LaLiga match for the club.
It was announced that Modric, who came to Madrid in 2012 from Tottenham Hotspur, would leave the club after the conclusion of next month's World Cup.
The Croatian has become an integral part of the success of Los Blancos over the years, 591 games play in all competitions, scoring 43 goals and offering 95 assists.
Modric leaves as the most successful player of Madrid in terms of trophies, who has won 28 major awards, with a record of six Champions League crowns.
He also became the first since Kaka in 2007 for a player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or in 2018 during his time in the club.
And Modric ended his shimmering career with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in his last game in the Spanish Top flight on Saturday.
The 39-year-old received a standing ovation from those in the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu when he was replaced by CHema Andres three minutes in time.
“The moment I never wanted to come, but it has been a long but wonderful journey,” Modric said in an emotional speech after the full -time whistle.
“First I wanted to thank the club, President Florentino Perez. I wanted to thank all coaches over all those years, the teammates who accompanied me and the people who helped me.
'Thank you very much from the ground of my heart. Also for my family. We won a lot, we had wonderful moments.
“It is your love that you have given me for all those years. There are no words to thank you for everything you have given me over the years.
“I want to say a sentence that I saw and I liked it:” Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. “
One of us pic.twitter.com/wmhcyx5saf
– Real Madrid CF (@Realmadriden) 24 May 2025
While Madrid -Fans Modric could still see adding to his trophy collection, Ancelotti took his last arch on Saturday to end his second spell that was in charge of the club.
Although it ended with a rare trophic season, Ancelotti will sign as the most successful manager of the club and cancel 15 large titles during his time in the Spanish capital.
He led Los Blancos to three Champions League titles, two club world cups, three European Super Cups, two Laliga titles, two Spanish cups, two Spanish Super Cups and one Intercontinental Cup.
“I am very happy, proud, it has been an extraordinary period. We cannot forget anything that happened and I am leaving with the affection of the people, the pride to have coached a great club for a long time,” Ancelotti told Real Madrid TV.
“Real Madrid is a home, a family. It has been the case in the last six years. We have had a great time because of the titles, the atmosphere …
“It has been a good relationship between the club, me and the players. I have had extraordinary players and Madrid will continue to have extraordinary players. It's the day with the highest emotion.”
The 65-year-old, who becomes the head coach of the National Team of Brazil, is expected to be replaced by Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso before the Club World Cup.
“It's normal to cry, I'm very satisfied here,” Ancelotti added.
“It has been an honor, a pleasure to be part of this family and to write and enter the history of this club. It was the goal from the first day. And I have achieved it.”