The final league match of the season, the last game of David Alaba and Daniel Carvajal for Real Madrid, and my final assignment as a student at the Santiago Bernabéu – Matchday 38 was defined by farewells. After a disappointing and often chaotic season, both Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao were hoping to end the campaign on a positive note.
For me personally, the evening was special as well. For the final time, I took my seat in the media tribune at the Bernabéu and tried to take in every moment. My year at the Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid was filled with new impressions, exciting experiences and countless firsts. I stepped into the Bernabéu for the first time, attended a press conference for the first time, stood in the mixed zone for the first time and worked from the press tribune for the first time. I had the opportunity to conduct my first interview as a press officer with a renowned player like David Alaba and to attend numerous media events involving players such as Caroline Weir, Athenea del Castillo and Linda Caicedo.
This year gave me insights into sports journalism that I probably would never have gained otherwise. More importantly, it showed me that the sports industry is exactly where I want to be. For a long time, I was unsure whether it would be possible to combine my passion for football with my professional ambitions. By now, I know that with hard work, determination and a bit of courage, it is possible to turn a hobby into a career. That is exactly what I want to build on moving forward.
The 22 players on the pitch in the Spanish capital showed the same determination. Both teams approached the match with focus and the necessary caution. Still, it quickly became clear why Real Madrid would finish the season as runners-up, while Athletic Bilbao found themselves in the middle of the table.
It therefore came as little surprise when Gonzalo García gave the hosts the lead shortly before the 15-minute mark. The striker won a foot race against two defenders before curling the ball past Athletic goalkeeper Alejandro Padilla and into the bottom-right corner. The assist came from Daniel Carvajal, who managed to register one final goal contribution in his 451st and last appearance for Real Madrid.
The match lost some intensity afterwards before Jude Bellingham provided the next highlight just before half-time. The Englishman brought down a high ball from Thiago Pitarch on his chest at the edge of the penalty area before firing an unstoppable volley into the back of the net.
The visitors, however, had no intention of going down without a fight. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Gorka Guruzeta pulled one back with a first-time finish following a cross from Iñaki Williams, making it 2:1 and bringing Athletic back into the contest.
The next moment of quality arrived shortly after the restart. Kylian Mbappé once again demonstrated why he remains one of the best footballers in the world despite the criticism he has faced at times. Receiving the ball on the left side just outside the penalty area, the Frenchman left Ruiz de Galarreta behind before smashing a stunning strike into the top corner.
Yet the most emotional moments of the evening took place away from the scoreline. In the 70th minute, David Alaba’s time in a Real Madrid shirt came to an end. The Austrian left the pitch to prolonged applause while his teammates formed a guard of honour to give him a fitting farewell.
The emotions grew even stronger in the 84th minute. Daniel Carvajal was substituted to a standing ovation from the entire stadium. His children ran onto the pitch, embraced the long-time fan favourite and accompanied him during his final moments as a Real Madrid player. The scenes underlined just how much the Spaniard has meant to the club.
Shortly afterwards, Brahim Díaz for Real Madrid and Urko Izeta for Athletic Bilbao added further goals to make it 4:2. By then, however, the result was no longer the main story. What mattered more was that Athletic, with the departures of Ernesto Valverde and Iñigo Lekue, and Real Madrid, in the final matches of Álvaro Arbeloa, David Alaba and Daniel Carvajal, were able to bring several important chapters to a worthy close.
An emotional farewell ceremony followed after the final whistle. After a video tribute and a speech, David Alaba lifted his chair into the air one last time before saying goodbye to the supporters. Carvajal watched a montage of his many achievements in the white shirt, visibly moved, before bidding farewell to the Madridistas through tears.
While Real Madrid ultimately finished the season as runners-up, eight points behind Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao ended the campaign in 12th place. On this evening, however, the result almost felt secondary. The spotlight belonged to those saying goodbye: to a club, to a role, or, in my case, to a year that changed a great deal.
