Good luck Ruud, and muchas gracias por todo!  I expect that you’ll receive a terrific sendoff from the Madrid faithful before tonight’s game, because you deserve it, not only for all the goals you scored with the Madrid jersey, but also because you were a true gentleman and a class act.

We’ve had some truly unforgettable moments together – pichichi awards, celebrating with Pipita’s shirt, those magic moments against Zaragoza, and many more, including each of the 64 goals you’ve scored in three and a half seasons.

I was fortunate to have been in the Bernabéu for the few minutes you played this season, and to have watched you score just moments after stepping on the pitch.

Read Ruud’s farewell message here in Spanish and here in English.