The
last goodbye
Emotional last match at the Santiago Bernabéu for
Zidane
7 May 2006: Zizou's last match in what is,
and what will always be, his home. Realmadrid.com shared his final hours before
the clash at the Bernabéu. His arrival at the stadium; stepping down to the
pitch, where he entertained us time and again; the trip to the hotel for
pre-match preparation; the autographs, the photos, etc. It was time: the
82,000-spectator mosaic holding up a paper cut out of his jersey, the devoted
fans, the thrilling match, the goodbye strike, and the entire stadium captivated
by the footwork of the French magician.
It wasn't an easy day. Neither for
Zinedine Zidane, nor the Madridismo, nor the world of football. The
French star was due to play his last match at the Bernabéu with the Real Madrid
shirt. The supporters, and Zidane himself, were astir with emotions, memories,
and feelings as Real Madrid took on Villarreal. The stadium was bedecked to say
goodbye, and more importantly thank you, to one of football's
greatest players of all time. Zidane confronted his second to last match as a
Real Madrid player with the naďveté and discretion that has accompanied him
throughout his career. It was a difficult moment that the World Champion was
trying to take on with composure. A trip to Andalusia awaits, where Real Madrid
will play Sevilla in the final weekend of the Competition, which will also be
Zidane's final match as an official player of Real Madrid. On Tuesday, he will
play against Stade de Reims as part of the inauguration ceremony of the Alfredo
Di Stéfano stadium at Real Madrid City.
At 11:47 am CET, Zizou arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu driving his own car. The 18 players in López Caro's lineup for the Villarreal clash were scheduled to arrive at the stadium at noon to begin pre-match preparations, as is customary before any home Real Madrid match. Zidane entered the stadium to change clothes and put on the usual warm-up kit.
At 11:58 am, Zidane made his way to the pitch of the Whites coliseum accompanied by Players' Assistant Javier García Coll. The Frenchman wanted to spend a few minutes alone in front of the empty stands that would hold 82,000 fans on Sunday night. He finalised the details of where his family and friends would sit, as they would accompany him from the stands, and surely take part in remembering so many glorious afternoons relished at the Bernabéu. Before leaving the pitch, he spent time taking pictures with Club employees, such as pitch delegate, Agustín Herrerín.
At 12:03 pm, Zidane left the stadium and made his way to the bus that took the players and coaching staff to the hotel. He waved to the dozens of supporters who gathered outside to say goodbye to the team and Zizou. At 12:20, the Whites retinue arrived at the doors of the Hotel Mirasierra Suites, where they would remain until returning to the Bernabéu hours later. Many more supporters were there waiting for the team, hoping to get an autograph or snapshot with Zidane, who happily complied.
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The last trip
At 5 pm, the players and staff
boarded the bus en route back to the Whites stadium. Less than two hours
remained until the start of the important match, and many more surprises
and emotions awaited. Before Teixeira Vitienes blew the whistle to start the
game, a packed Bernabéu gave Zidane a welcoming standing ovation on
occasion of such an important moment. Eighty two thousand people raised
their arms while holding the cut-out nş 5 White shirt posters to form an
extraordinary white mosaic. Meanwhile, the stadium's big-screen
scoreboards broadcasted a symbolic video highlighting his five years of
magic and fantasy.
It was his day, and he proved it from the opening minute of the match. His teammates played the 90 minutes in search of a victory, as a present to he who has given so much to all Madridistas worldwide and to football. A devoted public who wanted to participate in the festivities cheered Zidane on every time he touched the ball. One of the most intense moments of the everning came in the 66th minute of the match. David Beckham crossed the ball in from the wing as only he knows and Zidane subtly headed it to the far post, bringing the fans to their feet. The match was drawn at two, and it was the best reward possible.
Cheers Maestro
Coach Juan Ramón López Caro decided to take Zidane out in the 90th minute so the
public could pay him the tribute he so deserved. The entire Santiago Bernabéu
stood up and genuinely applauded the retirement of the last
magician of football. Surely the entire football world did as well. But
there was more. After the match had ended, Zidane once again made his way onto
the turf, and the crowd whisked him from the sideline to the
center of the field. His teammates joined him, wanting to be by his
side during such a special moment. The applause was deafening
and gave one goosebumps. Zizou, the man with such an innocent look and
reserved character, couldn't hold back his tears before the heartfelt
proof of love and devotion from the fans.
Zidane also received countless congratulations and support back in the dressing room. Real Madrid President, Luis Gómez-Montejano, and former President, Florentino Pérez, wanted to join the French star. But, they weren't the only ones. Emilio Butragueńo, Benito Floro, Ramón Martínez, Fernando Fernández Tapias... The most representative men of the Club wanted to thank him in person for having donned the Real Madrid shirt, for bringing so much joy to Madridismo, and for having defended the Club's logo with such pride and honour.
THANK YOU, ZIDANE. THANK YOU, MAESTRO. THE BERNABÉU WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR HOME.
RealMadrid.com
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