Tributes have started to pour in after Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane decided to quit his role at the club in what is a surprising twist at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Zidane led the Spanish giants to a historic third consecutive Champions League triumph on Saturday but decided to step down on Wednesday.
The Frenchman called a shock press conference where he announced he was departing much to the surprise of players, journalists, and fans.
As a player and coach you decided to say goodbye at the top. Thank you for two and a half incredible years. Your legacy will never be erased, one of the most successful chapters in the history of our beloved @realmadrid pic.twitter.com/dO6bw74aA3
— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) May 31, 2018
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was one of the first players to wish Zinedine Zidane well
Mister Zizou. He aprendido muchísimo a tu lado!
He disfrutado como un niño a cada entrenamiento, a cada consejo!
Eres muy especial para mi!
Has hecho historia con tu trabajo, tu dedicación, pasión y sobretodo con tu humildad!
Gracias Mister #marchelin pic.twitter.com/MvWCwjYSqR— Marcelotwelve (@MarceloM12) May 31, 2018
Vice-captain Marcelo posted a thank you message along with a picture of the duo celebrating
Gracias Mister! It’s been a pleasure! pic.twitter.com/99VzaBxUoV
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) May 31, 2018
Midfielder Toni Kroos kept his message short and simple after Zidane’s shock resignation
No tengo palabras para agradecerte todo lo que has hecho por este vestuario, por el Real Madrid y por el madridismo. Ha sido un orgullo y un privilegio tener como entrenador a mi ídolo. Eterno Zizou. pic.twitter.com/wjK45SMQz7
— Casemiro (@Casemiro) May 31, 2018
Casemiro posted a recent picture of the duo after winning the Champions League in Ukraine
Sergio Ramos, who spoke to Zidane on the phone about the Frenchman’s resignation, led the tributes by taking to social media after the press conference.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘As a player and coach, you decided to say goodbye at the top. Thank you for two-and-a-half incredible years. Your legacy will never be erased, one of the most successful chapters in the history of our beloved @realmadrid.’
Vice-captain Marcelo echoed his team-mate’s words by thanking Zidane in an emotional post in Spanish.
He wrote: ‘Mr. Zizou. I learned a lot by your side! I have enjoyed as a child every workout, every advice! You’re very special to me! You have made history with your work, your dedication, passion and especially with your humility! Thank you Mister.’
German midfielder Toni Kroos decided to keep his message short and simple by tweeting: ‘Gracias Mister! It’s been a pleasure!’
Isco, who was given the nod by Zidane to start the Champions League final ahead of Gareth Bale, wrote: ‘It has been an honor to work with you, to learn every day and to win altogether because you have managed to make this team something historic … I wish you the best.’
Casemiro also took to Twitter to say: ‘I have no words to thank you for everything you’ve done for this team. It has been a pride and a privilege to have my idol as a coach. Eternal Zizou.’
Right back Dani Carvajal, who sustained an injury in the Champions League final, said: ‘Thank you for these two-and-a-half years as our coach, you have been an amazing professional like all your staff. I have learned a lot as a player and person at your command; I wish you the best.’
Carvajal’s fellow right-back Achraf Hakimi thanked Zidane for promoting him to the first team.
He said: ‘Eternally grateful for your confidence, mister and for being the person who allowed me to fulfill the dream of playing with the first team of Real Madrid #GraciasZidane.’
#Zidane Simplemente darte las gracias por estos 2 años y medio como nuestro entrenador, has sido un profesional increíble al igual que todo tu staff.
He aprendido muchísimo como jugador y persona a tus órdenes, te deseo lo mejor y de nuevo #GraciasZidane #GraciasZizou pic.twitter.com/5wlLGmn5G0— Dani Carvajal Ramos (@DaniCarvajal92) May 31, 2018
Eternamente agradecido por tu confianza, mister y por ser la persona que me permitió cumplir el sueño de jugar con el primer equipo del Real Madrid #GraciasZidane pic.twitter.com/Xag6cjXRV6
— Achraf Hakimi (@AchrafHakimi) May 31, 2018
