Real Madrid News
Another Real Madrid star received standing ovation at Santiago Bernabeu in emotional farewell scene
On a night when all eyes were on the emotional farewells of Luka Modric and Carlo Ancelotti, there was another moment at the Santiago Bernabeu that struck a chord with Real Madrid fans.
Lucas Vazquez, the club’s long-serving Galician winger and vice-captain, was substituted in the 75th minute, and while there was no official word of a goodbye, the reaction from the crowd said it all.
The Bernabeu faithful rose to their feet in unison, delivering a standing ovation for a player who has been a loyal servant to the club for years.
It was not a grand tribute like those of Modrić or Ancelotti, but it was heartfelt and deeply symbolic.
Vazquez may not have had a formal send-off, but the Madrid fans made sure to show their gratitude.
A quiet exit for a player who hit 400 appearances
What makes the moment even more significant is that Vazquez played his 400th game for Real Madrid that very night, an incredible milestone that went under the radar amidst the attention on Modric and Ancelotti.
The club has not issued any official statement about his future, and Vazquez himself has not spoken publicly about leaving, but the atmosphere at the Bernabeu suggested his time at Madrid is coming to an end.
Now 33, Vazquez has been an important figure both on and off the pitch, as his presence has always been valued.
Furthermore, the reaction from the bench spoke volumes. His teammates and coaching staff watched his substitution with great emotion, with even goalkeeper Andriy Lunin running across the pitch to share a hug.
While this was not the grand farewell of Modric or Ancelotti, it was a reminder that some goodbyes do not need words.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
