Aritz Elustondo honoured at Anoeta as Real Sociedad lose 3-4 to Valencia | OneFootball

Real Sociedad’s farewell to Aritz Elustondo at Anoeta proved bittersweet, the 3-4 defeat to Valencia taking the shine off the tribute.

Diario Vasco reports that the first team formed a guard of honour as he emerged with his wife and children. President Jokin Aperribay presented the club’s gold and diamond badge, he raised it to the supporters, then posed with team-mates after a brief, typically Gipuzkoan ceremony.

The club had billed it as his final outing in front of his people. Elustondo departs after 11 seasons in the first team and 312 appearances.

Starting on the right, he pushed forward and his first cross, with a slice of luck, created an assist for Aihen. In a chaotic game he defended diligently, without fuss.

On 83 minutes, with the score 3-2, Matarazzo substituted the Beasain defender as a mark of respect. Anoeta rose to salute their second captain, who had already handed the armband to Oyarzabal.

In tears, he left the pitch, detoured into the stand to embrace his kuadrila, then took his place on the bench. From there he watched 3-2 become 3-4, a towel at times covering his face.

A full celebration felt out of place. He greeted several Valencia players, acknowledged the Aitor Zabaleta stand, called Marrero to lead ‘Pulpo pa’ cenar’, then on his own thanked Bultzada for the songs. A banner arrived from the upper tier reading “Eskerrik asko, Aritz!”, alongside an iconic image of the number six.

Source: Diario Vasco