Emotional season finale
The LaLiga season finale was emotional and historic. In the last game of his 23-year professional career, Betis legend Joaquín has risen to become the record-breaking player in the Spanish top flight. The 41-year-old’s 622nd cap equaled Andoni Zubizarreta, who scored for FC Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and FC Valencia between 1981 and 1998.
Joaquín started against Valencia and was brought to tears by the fans during a warm-up and a pre-kick choreo, and cried again in the 60th minute when he was substituted. The result, 1:1 (1:0), became a minor matter for the Verdiblancos, who had already qualified for the Europa League, and the evening was all about their long-time captain.
“I’m Joaquín thanks to you,” the attacker, who was clearly affected, said after the game to his teammates, club employees, fans and family. “A lot of emotions, a lot of memories… A very nice day.” Joaquín could hardly stop crying. He tried to “control the emotions, but it wasn’t easy.” For him, “a dream came true with his career, much better than expected. I can’t ask for more.”
A goal to say goodbye: Benzema leaves Real Madrid befitting his status
It was also an emotional evening for Karim Benzema. In his last game for Real Madrid, the 35-year-old scored the equalizer with a penalty kick in the 1-1 (0-0) win at home against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday (72nd minute) and thus said goodbye to the “Royal” with a goal befitting his status. . Benzema spread his arms, kissed the hands and was celebrated by the fans and teammates. Just two minutes later he was substituted for Luka Modric to thunderous applause.
With the draw, the Spanish record champions secured second place in the table ahead of Atlético Madrid, who played 2-2 (1-1) at FC Villarreal. But more important that evening was Benzema’s successful exit.
The world footballer of 2022 will officially bid farewell on Tuesday at the “Royal” training center in Valdebebas in the north-east of Madrid with a celebration. “Real Madrid want to show all their gratitude and affection to the man who is already one of our greatest legends,” the club said. The striker leaves Real after 14 years, 648 competitive games with 354 goals and a total of 25 titles.
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According to media reports, Benzema will follow his former clubmate Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia. Benzema, whose contract in Madrid expires on June 30, has been offered an annual salary of 100 million euros in the Gulf state, it is said. According to reports from Saudi state television, he will play at Al-Ittihad Club in the future.
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On Sunday, Benzema, who leaves Madrid along with Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio, made another appearance for Real. The better team at first was Bilbao, who deservedly took the lead through Oihan Sancet (49th). Toni Kroos caused a hand penalty early on when the ball hit his upper arm in the penalty area. But Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved Mikel Vesga’s penalty (10′).
At the press conference after the game, coach Carlo Ancelotti (quoted via “real total‘) admitted of course being ‘not happy’ about losing one of the best players in the world. “But we have to respect his decision,” which was made “at the last second,” said the 63-year-old. “Yesterday he trained normally and this morning he came to announce the decision. We got that. I told him that I respect his decision and thank him for everything he has done for the club and also for me in the four years that I have had the privilege of seeing him.”
Nevertheless, it was “surprising for everyone”, emphasized Ancelotti, who is now hoping for an adequate replacement. “We have time to think about what we have to do and the team will be competitive next season.” The candidates are Kai Havertz and Harry Kane. The Real coach, who emphasized that he would remain 100 percent coach, was confident about the personal details of Nacho Fernández and Dani Ceballos. The duo is still “in the decision-making phase”, but: “From the signals I see, I believe that both will stay.”
Ter Stegen misses sole clean sheet record – Real Valladolid is relegated
For champions Barça and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, the season did not end as hoped. At Celta Vigo, which was threatened with relegation, the Catalans lost 1: 2 (0: 1). Ter Stegen, who came off for Iñaki Peña after 63 minutes, remains on 26 clean sheets in 38 games, level with Francisco Liaño (58), who set the record clean sheet for Deportivo La Coruna in 1993/94 to date and how the German also only had to concede 18 goals.
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After FC Elche and Espanyol Barcelona, Real Valladolid also has to return to second division. The promoted side also managed a goalless draw against FC Getafe, who are also in the bottom of the table, but because all their rivals also scored points, the draw wasn’t enough to jump out of the relegation zone.
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