In the 82nd minute, the fans rose from their seats to bid farewell to Carvajal with a huge ovation as he was substituted by Manu Serrano. The match was paused so that players from Real Madrid and Athletic Club could form a guard of honor for him. On the bench, he shared a heartfelt embrace with his family.
Carvajal: “Yesterday, today, and always: Hala Madrid!”
After the match, the tribute continued. First, an emotional video was played on the stadium’s screens, and then Carvajal addressed the center of the pitch and said: “Good evening, madridistas. It’s not an easy moment for me to speak because I’m very emotional about this great farewell you’re giving me. First, I want to thank our president, Mr. Florentino. He was the one who brought me back from Germany. I’ve grown with him, and we’ve won so many Champions together, but if I have to highlight something, it’s that not even 24 hours after a serious knee injury on that flank, he didn’t hesitate to extend my contract. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“Next, I wanted to thank all my teammates, the current players of Real Madrid. We haven’t had two easy seasons, but I’m sure we’ll win again. This is Real Madrid, and we have to rise as our history tells us. I cannot forget this golden era we’ve experienced. With my departure today, we close a wonderful era, an era of four Champions in five years. That Tenththree consecutive Champions. Those Casillas, Cristiano, Ramos, Ancelotti, Zidane… Countless names that have carried this crest high, and I’m just going to ask you for a big round of applause for them because they made us great and took us to the top.”
“I want to continue thanking my parents and my sister for making such a big effort when I was a child. For taking me to training, to matches in the cold, rain, snow… You were always there and did your part to make my dream come true. Thank you. And also to my wife and my children. I’ve lived two very difficult years, I’ve seen the bitter side of this sport, and you’ve been my driving force. You’ve turned my sad days into light and given me enough strength to get up again and again. I love you very much.”
Thanks to the madridistas
“Lastly, thank you to all of you. You are wonderful. From my first day until today, the last, you’ve carried us forward. What is experienced in this stadium cannot be described; it simply has to be felt. You’ve supported me since the day I arrived. Just seeing this farewell makes me very proud to be a madridista. Thank you for the impossible comebacks, for being here in good times and bad. There are player careers defined by their successes, but others are defined by how much they resonate with people. I only want that tomorrow, when you remember me, you do so with pride and the certainty that I gave everything for this jersey. Yesterday, today, and always. Hala Madrid!”
Later, Carvajal was lifted up by the squad alongside Alaba, immortalized the moment with a family photo with his teammates, and took an unforgettable lap of honor around the Bernabeu.
Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.
