Emotional good-bye for Michel Salgado

Michel Salgado has left Santiago Bernabeu stadium for the last time, after an emotional good-bye prior to Monday’s friendly match with Rosenborg.

The 33-year-old was applauded and chanted to by the fans, who had created banners containing phrases as ‘Ten years of Madrid courage’ and ‘Michel, unique and irreplaceable’.

The trophies won by Real Madrid during Salgado’s stay in the Spanish capital, awaited the defender on the pitch, as if to show how important he has been since joining the club from Celta de Vigo in 1999.

“It has been a wonderful ten years at this great club,” Salgado told LaSexta television after the homage. “I thank the club for what it has given me and I wish it all the best. I hope that it will be a ‘see you later’ and not a ‘farewell’. I leave with the pride and privilege of having played at this team.”

The Galician is set to continue his career at English Premiership side Blackburn Rovers.