No words can express the emotions that pumped through my veins as los Blancos ended their season with a
4-1 victory over Mallorca. No words can
express the emotions that brought tears to my eyes as the Santiago Bernabéu
celebrated a 32nd La Liga title.
While I'm sure I would have felt the same sense of pride for my club,
there was something about being there in person, as opposed to watching on my
computer in Hawaii, that made it all the more special.
It was with high hopes as I watched the future of Real Madrid – the
youth academy players – walk out on the pitch.
Could one of these young boys be the next Iker Casillas? Raúl?
Guti? While I could not see their
eyes for myself, I knew that somewhere out there on the pitch was a young boy
with a dream and twinkle in his eyes.
Plácido Domingo – world-renowned, multifaceted artist and one of the most influential singers in opera –
took the stage in a white ensemble and congratulated the campeones before singing the Centenary anthem, academy players
waving white flags around him. Chills
ran down my spine.
"Felicidades a todos los madridistas por los 100 puntos y por la Liga lograda. A por la 33 y a por la Décima. Hala Madrid!"Congratulations to all Madridistas for taking the 100 points and for winning La Liga (title). And now for the 33rd (league title) and for the 10th (European Cup). Hala Madrid!
It was with pride in my heart as the boys, no, men, of RM Castilla took the stage, having heard the wonderful news
of their 5-0 victory over Vecindario. The
win certainly livened the atmosphere. One-by-one
they were called by name: Tomas, Jesus, Pacheco, Jese, Morata, Joselu, Mandi,
Nacho, Andy. And one-by-one they were
celebrated.
And then it was with tears in my eyes that I watched the first team
emerge: Carvalho, Pepe, Sahin, Khedira, Cristiano, Kaká, Benzema, Özil,
Granero, Adán, Xabi Alonso, Coentrão, Altintop, Arbeloa, Albiol, Varane,
Callejón, Di María, Lass, Higuaín, Marcelo, Ramos, and Iker Casillas. Emotions ran high in the stadium, particularly
when Pipita Higuaín's name was announced.
"Pipita, Quédate!" the crowd chanted – Pipita stay – I
being one of them. There have been
rumors circulating the media of his desire to leave Real Madrid due to feelings
of being unappreciated.
Unappreciated? The way
Madridistas cheered his name? I highly
doubted it. Yet still, I joined in their
chants in the case those rumors were true.
The coaching staff soon joined the squad on stage, beginning with
team delegate and legend Chendo. Recover
specialist Carlos Lalin followed right after, followed by Santi Lozano, José
Morais, Silvino Louro, Rui Faria, Aitor Karanka, and, last but certainly not the least, José "The
Special One" Mourinho. Again, the
Bernabéu erupted in cheers.
I do not remember much after other than crying through the mini
speeches Casillas, Ramos, Higuaín, Cristiano, Pepe, Marcelo, Granero, Callejón
(okay, I laughed as he jumped on Mourinho, receiving his second piggyback ride
from the Mister this season), and Mourinho gave. Never was I prouder to be a Madridista.
Muchas gracias por todo,
campeones. Together we rode through the highs and lows of the La Liga
season. And it is together that we look
to the future. Hasta el final, vamos Real.
¡Hala Madrid!
written by Gail Hidalgo
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