No more excuses! Gyokeres completes the Arsenal puzzle

Can Barcelona really afford Marcus Rashford?

Mead vital to Lionesses' Euros bid again - but as a super sub

Introducing the 2025 British & Irish Football Lions!

When Kaka's AC Milan smashed Boca Juniors 

Editors' Picks

Real Madrid vs Al Hilal: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Pachuca vs Salzburg: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Manchester City vs Wydad Casablanca: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Monterrey vs Inter: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Seat Unique names founding partner of Hill Dickinson Stadium 

Man City outcast Walker reassured over pace questions & future

Newlyweds Dyer & Bowen do not fear famous Strictly ‘curse’

Man City warned off transfer gamble on free agent Pogba 

<ul><li>Madrid hosted farewell ceremony for Vazquez</li><li>34-year-old leaves after 18 years at the club</li><li>Mbappe attended ceremony after cutting holiday short</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Kylian Mbappe cuts holiday short to make touching gesture for departing Real Madrid star Lucas Vazquez

<p>Real Madrid organised an institutional farewell ceremony within the Valdebebas premises for Vazquez, with the long-serving warrior <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/real-madrid-star-bids-emotional-farewell-after-18-years-next-move-remains-unclear/bltdf14ca074c5ab202" target="_blank">departing the club after spending 10 years in the first-team and lifting 23 titles</a>. In a touching gesture, Mbappe, along with goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, cut short their vacations to attend the ceremony for one of their ex-captains. Even Marcelo, who shared the dressing room with Vazquez for seven seasons, was present at the event.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fi" dir="ltr">Kylian Mbappé, Lunin and Lucas Vázquez'. 🥹 <a href="https://t.co/xcrKK6ola8">pic.twitter.com/xcrKK6ola8</a></p>— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) <a href="https://twitter.com/MadridXtra/status/1945807089319772619?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Vazquez first joined Madrid as a 16-year-old in 2007 and rose rapidly through the youth ranks. He got his first taste of top-flight football in the 2014-15 season, when he was loaned out to Espanyol in La Liga. The following season, he earned a promotion to the first team, and became one of the most important squad players, often sacrificing himself out of team's best interests. He earned the privilege of the wearing the captain's armband on numerous occasions</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking at his farewell, Vazquez struggled to hold back his tears. He said: "This is one of the most important days of my life. Thank you for every applause and every gesture of support, you've made me feel at home. Today it's time to say bye, but I'll never say goodbye to my Real Madrid.
</p><p>"I've had the privilege of sharing a dressing room with legends and winning titles, but above all, I've been happy. I've felt valued, respected, and loved. To the president, Florentino Perez, thank you for allowing me to fulfill my dream.
 To Jose Angel Sanchez, thank you for putting your all into the negotiations. 
</p><p>"To my parents, since becoming a father, I understand even more everything you did for me. To you, Mateo, my brother, thank you for instilling in me your love of football. Without you, I wouldn't be a footballer; I've fulfilled both of our dreams. And to you, Maca, you gave me peace of mind and support to keep believing in myself. We've laughed and cried together. You're the person who knows me best and also the one who has endured me the longest, being my best life partner. I can never thank you for everything you've done for me.
</p><p>"You've given me my children; you're my greatest pride. I hope that one day you'll understand what wearing this shirt meant to your father. I've fulfilled my dream. I'm leaving, but Real Madrid will always be my home. I am and always will be Lucas Vazquez, a canterano Real Madrid."
</p>

WHAT LUCAS VAZQUEZ SAID

<p>Mbappe will return to pre-season duties in around two weeks time, with Madrid set to face Osasuna on August 19. Meanwhile, Vazquez is yet to decide his next destination. Rumour has it that he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lucas-vazquez-la-liga-real-madrid-exit-full-back-jose-mourinho-reunion-fenerbahce-qatar-move/bltfdefc49287048108" target="_blank">turned down an opportunity to rejoin Espanyol</a>. He currently has offers from Qatar and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/another-target-fenerbahce-turkish-giants-talks-real-madrid-jose-mourinho-signings/bltee8fe76e9f5728fe" target="_blank">Turkish side Fenerbahce</a> on the table.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE AND VAZQUEZ?

Kylian Mbappe cuts holiday short to make touching gesture for departing Real Madrid star Lucas Vazquez | Goal.com

Kylian Mbappe was one of the only two first-team players to attend Lucas Vazquez&apos;s institutional farewell at Real Madrid.