Tonight’s Real Madrid Finale: 70,000 Witness Magic as Modrić and Three Stars Say Goodbye, Mbappé Chases 30 Goals

On May 24th at 10:15 PM Beijing time, the final chapter of Real Madrid’s 2024-25 La Liga season unfolds at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The opponent is Real Sociedad, a team familiar to Madridistas through 182 historic encounters. This is not just any ordinary matchday; it is the farewell stage for several legends and a last chance for Kylian Mbappé to chase a remarkable personal milestone. Seventy thousand passionate fans will fill the stands to witness this bittersweet night of emotion and ambition.

Historic Rivalry: Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad

Over nearly a century and a half of meetings, Real Madrid holds a commanding edge in this fixture. Out of 182 clashes, Madrid has triumphed 101 times, drawn 43, and lost 38, netting 374 goals while conceding 225. This season has already seen Madrid assert dominance with a 2-0 away win at Real Sociedad in La Liga’s opening round, and a thrilling 5-4 aggregate victory in the Copa del Rey semifinals. Tonight’s encounter is the final brushstroke in a season that, while lacking trophies, carries profound significance.

A Night of Farewells: Modrić, Ancelotti, and More

The 2024-25 season has been a rollercoaster for Real Madrid — one marked by unfulfilled ambitions and sweeping reforms. The club will end the campaign without silverware from La Liga, the Champions League, or the Copa del Rey, triggering a fresh wave of changes behind the scenes. The curtain will fall on Carlo Ancelotti’s era, with Xavi Alonso poised to take the reins.

But it’s not just the managerial shift that commands attention tonight. The Bernabéu will bid a heartfelt goodbye to Luka Modrić, the midfield maestro who has enchanted fans for 13 years. At 39, the Croatian wizard has not been offered a contract extension, making this his last home appearance in white. Although he will still represent Madrid at the upcoming Club World Cup, the magic of the number 10 at the Bernabéu will no longer be the same.

Joining Modrić in departure are two other homegrown talents: Lucas Vázquez and Jesús Vallejo. Both have contributed significantly over the years, and tonight offers a chance for Madrid supporters to honor their dedication and passion one final time.

Mbappé’s Golden Goal Chase: Closing in on 30

Amid the emotional farewells, the spotlight also shines on Kylian Mbappé, who has dazzled this La Liga season with 29 goals. The French superstar has already clinched the La Liga Golden Boot without a shred of doubt, but his sights are set higher — on the prestigious European Golden Shoe.

Currently, the race for Europe’s top scorer is fiercely competitive. Portugal’s Zekaïrais, who finished the Primeira Liga with an astounding 39 goals, holds 58.5 points under the weighted system (where each goal in the Portuguese league counts as 1.5 points). Mohamed Salah, with 28 goals in the English Premier League, follows closely with 56 points, and still has one game left for Liverpool against Crystal Palace on May 25th.

If Mbappé manages to score just one more goal tonight, he will surpass Zekaïrais in points, taking a crucial step toward claiming the European Golden Shoe. The stakes are high, and fans will be eager to see whether the French forward can rise to the occasion.

Expected Lineups and Tactical Preview

Real Madrid is expected to field a 4-3-3 formation:

• Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin

• Defense: Lucas Vázquez, Ramón, Jesús Vallejo, Fran García

• Midfield: Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Luka Modrić

• Attack: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Mbappé, Brahim Díaz

Real Sociedad will likely line up in a 4-2-3-1:

• Goalkeeper: Remiro

• Defense: Traoré, Elustondo, Zubeldia, Muñoz

• Midfield: Zubimendi, Marín

• Attack: Takefusa Kubo, Brice Mendes, Barrenetxea

• Forward: Oyarzabal

Madrid’s blend of youth and experience is clear — Modrić’s presence in midfield balances the vigor of Valverde and Tchouaméni, while Mbappé’s electric pace leads the front line. Sociedad, known for their technical prowess and compact structure, will challenge Madrid’s defense but may struggle to break down a team eager to put on a memorable final performance.

The Emotional Atmosphere at the Bernabéu

For 70,000 fans packed inside the Bernabéu, this night is more than just a game. It’s a ceremony of gratitude, nostalgia, and hope. Modrić’s graceful ball control, clever passes, and relentless work ethic have made him a symbol of Madrid’s recent era of dominance. Watching him in his farewell home match is a rare opportunity to witness a football legend in his twilight moments with the club.

Ancelotti’s farewell adds another layer of poignancy. The revered tactician has overseen Madrid’s highs and lows across multiple stints. His calm demeanor and tactical acumen brought three Champions League titles in his previous tenure, and his farewell tonight feels like the end of an era.

For Vázquez and Vallejo, who have often been unsung heroes, tonight offers a chance for the fans to acknowledge their service.

The Larger Picture: Madrid’s Transitional Phase

The 2024-25 season has forced Real Madrid into a rebuilding mindset. The absence of trophies has sparked discussions about squad overhaul, tactical shifts, and the future direction under Xavi Alonso. This final match embodies that transition — the blending of veteran farewells with the promise of youthful ambition, exemplified by Mbappé’s goal-scoring race.

The club must now balance honoring its legacy with crafting a new identity capable of challenging once again for the biggest prizes in world football.

Expert Commentary

Tonight’s match stands as a symbolic crossroads for Real Madrid. The graceful exit of Modrić, coupled with Ancelotti’s goodbye, represents the closing of a golden chapter. These figures have embodied Madrid’s spirit — resilience, creativity, and excellence.

Mbappé’s pursuit of 30 goals, and potentially the European Golden Shoe, is a testament to the club’s future ambitions. It signals a shift towards youth and dynamism, with the French forward poised to become the face of Madrid’s next era.

Tactically, the game promises to be a controlled affair, with Madrid’s midfield orchestrating play and Sociedad’s compact defense looking to frustrate the hosts. However, the emotional weight of the occasion may inspire Madrid to display a passionate, attacking performance worthy of a grand farewell.

For fans and neutrals alike, this evening is a compelling narrative of endings and beginnings, individual brilliance, and collective legacy — all unfolding under the bright lights of the Bernabéu.

Real Madrid’s 2024-25 season may be ending without trophies, but tonight’s game offers a chance to celebrate its heroes and glimpse the dawn of a new chapter in the club’s illustrious history.