Modric and Ancelotti's goodbyes, Kroos' appearance, and Florentino's tears: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

An emotional and tearful afternoon at the Santiago Bernabéu . Chamartín said goodbye this Saturday to Luka Modric and Carlo Ancelotti , the player and coach with the most titles in the history of Real Madrid . The Croatian will play in the Club World Cup with Real Madrid and then look for a new adventure, while the Italian will become the new coach of Brazil on Monday. After beating Real Sociedad (2-0) in the last league match, both players gave their tributes and gave speeches. " Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened, " said Modric, while Florentino Pérez , in the stands, burst into tears.

The 73,186 spectators who filled the stadium, including former teammates such as Toni Kroos, Keylor Navas and Mateo Kovacic , gave Modric a standing ovation from the very beginning, as he started and was the first to warm up while the crowd applauded non-stop.

When his name was announced over the PA system, the fans broke into applause again, just as they had for Ancelotti, just before each end of the Bernabéu stadium displayed a tifo with each player's face and a message. " Thank you, legend ," for Luka, " Thank you, Carletto ," for Ancelotti. A giant Modric number 10 shirt stood in the center of the field. The emotion was already running high, and it continued to show throughout the match.

In the 10th minute, the crowd chanted " Modric, Modric ," and in the 12th, their chant was directed at Ancelotti. The fans cheered him on with every corner the Croatian took. Lucas, who will no longer be with the club, also received a standing ovation after his substitution.

The goals came, and in the 87th minute, Ancelotti decided to withdraw Modric, and the match was halted. Both teams, in a nice gesture from Real Madrid, formed a corridor of honor, and the Croatian left the pitch to the constant jubilation of the stands and the hugs of his teammates and opponents. All of his teammates appeared on the pitch, both those called up and those injured, and last but not least, the unexpected appearance of Toni Kroos , who was the last to embrace the man who had been his teammate so many times.

Tears were already emanating from the air, and the tribute videos and speeches began to flow. " It's not so easy to talk today... " said Ancelotti, microphone in hand in midfield, emotional, barely able to utter a word. "It's been an honor, a pleasure to coach this club. I want to first thank my dear president, Florentino Pérez. It's been extraordinary to experience this with you; it's been an unforgettable story because no one can forget Karim's three goals against PSG, no one can forget Rodrygo's two against City, or Luka's assist. And no one can forget Joselu's two goals," he recalled, while the stands celebrated each memory and Florentino began to get emotional in the box.

"And I can't forget every day I've spent here either . Hala Madrid, and nothing else. I love you all," the Italian concluded, to renewed applause from the crowd.

The microphone then passed into Luka Modric's hands, his eyes already tearful. " The moment I never wanted to come has arrived , but it's been a long but wonderful journey," said the Croatian, whose voice trembled at first but then managed to continue.

"First, I wanted to thank the club, President Florentino Pérez. I wanted to thank all the coaches over all these years, the teammates who supported me, and the people who helped me. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. To my family too. We've won a lot, we've had wonderful moments, but the greatest achievement is the love you've given me over all these years. There are no words to thank you for everything you've given me over these years," the crowd roared again.

"I want to say a phrase I've seen and liked: Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened . Hala Madrid and nothing else," the Real Madrid captain signed off. In the box, Florentino burst into tears.

The players tossed Modric and Ancelotti to the air, and the Croatian performed a lap of honor with his wife and children before bidding farewell to the Bernabéu forever.