Goodbye between Tears and Goals: Real Madrid Closes Season with Tributes at the Di Stéfano

Alfredo Di Stéfano dressed up to say goodbye to Misa Rodríguez, Rocío Gálvez and Caroline Weir in an emotional day of football and recognition.

Madrid, May 31, 2026. Alfredo Di Stéfano witnessed an emotionally charged season finale for Real Madrid. In a match that pitted White against Granada, the 2-0 victory took a backseat to the emotional farewells of three key players: Misa Rodríguez, Rocío Gálvez and Caroline Weir. The morning was marked by tributes, ovations and a deep feeling of gratitude towards those who have left an indelible mark on the club's recent history.

The Madrid fans flocked to the white fiefdom, aware that they were witnessing something more than just a football match. The atmosphere was one of celebration, but also melancholy. The stands paid tribute to Misa Rodríguez, the Canarian goalkeeper who emerged as the last survivor of that pioneering team that started the Madrid project in 2020. Her goodbye, along with that of Rocío Gálvez and Caroline Weir, marked the end of an era for many fans of the merengue team. The presence of Florentino Pérez and Enrique Riquelme in the stands underlined the importance of the event.

From the opening whistle, Real Madrid imposed its territorial dominance. The team led by Pau Quesada monopolized possession of the ball, constantly seeking to unbalance the Granada defense through the wings. Linda Caicedo had the first clear chance in the 10th minute, forcing a great intervention from the rival goalkeeper, Chika Hirao. The Japanese goalkeeper emerged as a prominent figure during the first half, frustrating the White attacks time and again.

The Madrid siege intensified throughout the first half. Athenea was about to open the scoring with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, while Rocío Gálvez came close to scoring from a corner. Despite the numerous opportunities and overwhelming dominance, Real Madrid lacked aim in the final meters. The centers of Eva Navarro, Weir and company found Granada's defensive wall again and again, leaving the score unchanged at half-time.

Granada, well planted in defense, managed to timidly stretch in some moments, but without generating any real danger on the goal defended by Misa Rodríguez. The best chance before the break was once again for Real Madrid. After a corner clearance, Linda Caicedo led a quick transition that culminated in Athenea's shot, again saved by an inspired Hirao. The Japanese goalkeeper closed an outstanding first half with a last stop on a dangerous cross.

The second part began with the same script. Real Madrid maintained its pressure in the rival field, while Granada resisted with order and the interventions of Hirao. Athenea became the main threat on the left wing, generating constant imbalances. One of his crosses even hit the crossbar, evidencing White's lack of fortune. The goal, however, was about to fall.

In the 64th minute, Athenea broke Granada's resistance. His shot from the edge of the box found the back of the net, unleashing euphoria in the Alfredo Di Stéfano. Just two minutes later, the score increased. Caroline Weir, in her last game, showed her quality with a shot from the edge of the area that, after touching a defender, hit the post. The 2-0 was the perfect finishing touch for the Scotswoman.

With the match resolved, the focus shifted to emotions. The fans gave Weir a loud ovation when she was substituted in the 77th minute, recognizing her legacy of 63 goals and 39 assists in 125 games. Shortly after, Rocío Gálvez received the same tribute, farewelled by her teammates with a hall of honor after 132 games and 13 goals as a Real Madrid player.

The meeting also served to recognize Lauri, a historic Granada player, who ended fourteen years at the Nasrid club. After the emotional tributes, the match lost intensity, consuming itself without any new notable opportunities. The final whistle confirmed Real Madrid's victory and closed a season at the Alfredo Di Stéfano where the goals were important, but where the applause and farewells stood out as the true protagonists.

Bottom line: Real Madrid 2 – 0 Granada

Goals: 1-0, Athenea (64'); 2-0, Weir (68')

Lineups:

Real Madrid: Mass; Eva Navarro, Rocío (Andersson, 86'), M. Méndez, Holmgaard (Noe, 62'); Angeldahl (Toletti, 62'), Irune; Athenea, Weir (Däbirtz, 77'), Linda C.; Round (Feller, 86')
Grenade: Hirao; Blanca, Alba P., Jujuba, Yoli, Manoly; A. Mingueza (Miku Ito, 80'), Vera M. (Barquero, 80'), L. Pérez (Andrea G., 69'); Lauri (Clara R., 88'), Keefe (Ana Martos, 80').

Banns: Rocío (24') and Eva Navarro (45') from Real Madrid.

Attendance: 1590 spectators at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who were the players fired by Real Madrid in this match?: The dismissed players were Misa Rodríguez, Rocío Gálvez and Caroline Weir.
What was the final result of the match?: Real Madrid beat Granada 2-0.
Who scored the goals for Real Madrid?: The goals were scored by Athenea and Caroline Weir.
How many goals did Caroline Weir score during her time with Real Madrid?: Caroline Weir scored 63 goals during her time as a Real Madrid player.
How many games did Rocío Gálvez play for Real Madrid?: Rocío Gálvez played 132 games for Real Madrid.
Which Granada player was also honored?: The Granada player honored was Lauri, after fourteen years at the club.
How many spectators attended the game?: 1,590 spectators attended the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium.
At what minute did Athenea score the first goal?: Athenea scored the first goal in the 64th minute.
At what minute did Caroline Weir score the second goal?: Caroline Weir scored the second goal in the 68th minute.
When was this match played?: The match was played on May 31, 2026.