Carvajal says goodbye as Madrid close the season with a 4–2 win
It was always going to be about Dani Carvajal. The captain played his final match for Real Madrid in the 4–2 win over Athletic Club at the Bernabéu, ending a 23-year journey that brought six Champions League titles. Both teams gave him a guard of honour, and he was in tears at full-time. "We have to get back up," he said. (10) David Alaba also said his farewell after five years at the club. (4)
Gonzalo Garcia, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Brahim Diaz got the goals on a night where the result was secondary to the emotion. (2)
Vinícius misses the farewell, and Marca lets him have it
Vinícius Júnior was absent from the final match, and the Spanish press did not hold back. Marca wrote that while Madrid said goodbye in tears, Vinícius was "only worried about himself." (3) No official reason has been given for his absence, but the optics of missing Carvajal's send-off have not gone down well.
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Arbeloa cancels final press conference, future uncertain
Alvaro Arbeloa cancelled his last press conference as head coach. He did speak to club media before the match, saying: "I hope it's just a 'see you soon.' I've always considered Madrid my home. I've been with Madrid for 20 years; it's my home. It's my last game this season; I don't know if it's the last of my life as Madrid's coach, we never know." (11)
Mourinho spotted scouting Olise as elections delay his appointment
José Mourinho was in Berlin for the DFB-Pokal final, reportedly scouting Bayern Munich's Michael Olise ahead of an expected move to the Bernabéu. (5) But the club's presidential elections are holding up any official announcement on the managerial front. (8)
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford is unlikely to follow Mourinho to Madrid. The forward has a purchase option in his current deal, and Barcelona appear to have the edge if he moves permanently. (12)
Camavinga wants to stay despite United links
Eduardo Camavinga has made it clear he wants to remain at Real Madrid. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that while several clubs are circling, Manchester United have not made a concrete approach yet. (1)
Youth Clásico final awaits
Real Madrid's Juvenil side will face Barcelona in the Copa de Campeones final. The youth Clásico is set for Alcalá de Henares, with a trophy on the line. (13)
Fan-reaktioner
The fanbase is emotional and unified tonight. Carvajal tributes are flooding social media, with supporters describing a sense of emptiness now that he is gone, one fan wrote that it "feels like something familiar in my life has quietly disappeared forever." The farewell thread capturing the mood is filling up with memories spanning his entire career from 2013 to 2026. Alaba's final chair lift also got its own tribute post, a nod to a beloved tradition fans will miss.
