In a charged atmosphere, Athletic Club welcomed FC Barcelona at San Mamés to close the LaLiga EA Sports season. Although the match had no implications for the standings, the home team decided to honor the champions with a guard of honor as they entered the field. However, this fair play gesture was not well received by the Basque fans, who responded with loud boos.
Ernesto Valverde, Athletic's coach, acknowledged Barça's merit, stating, “Barça is champion for a reason; they have proven it.” Despite the defeat, Valverde expressed satisfaction with his team's performance throughout the season, highlighting that they had exceeded initial expectations. “We would have liked to win to surpass 70 points in De Marcos' farewell,” the coach added.
The match was also significant for Athletic's captain, Óscar de Marcos, who will retire from professional football after 16 years at the club. In a gesture of reciprocity, Barça players also performed a guard of honor for De Marcos, emphasizing the camaraderie that can exist between rivals. “You could feel the emotion on the field above the match,” Valverde commented, referring to the lateral's farewell.
De Marcos, visibly emotional, expressed his gratitude towards the club and his teammates. “I have had the honor of representing this team, and I have done so with generosity,” the captain declared after the match. His legacy at Athletic is undeniable, and his farewell was a moment that united everyone present in the stadium.
Athletic, which has renewed its commitment to Valverde, is now preparing for the next season with hopes of continuing to grow and compete at the highest level. “I feel a great responsibility towards Athletic, and I am excited about what is to come,” concluded the coach, making it clear that the club has great aspirations for the future.