Oscar de Marcos Receives Emotional Farewell at San Mamés

Bilbao, Spain — Oscar de Marcos, the beloved defender for Athletic Club, received an emotional farewell from fans and teammates during his last match on May 25, 2025. With 50,000 supporters packed into San Mamés stadium, the crowd greeted his exit with a stunning red-and-white mosaic, showing their appreciation for his 16 years of dedication to the club.

The match against FC Barcelona was not just a season finale but the backdrop for De Marcos’s farewell. He led his team onto the pitch, donning the number ’18’ jersey, as fans erupted in applause to honor his contributions. The players formed a farewell guard of honor as he walked accompanied by his three children.

“I am grateful for the warm ovation I received. It’s been an incredible journey,” De Marcos said, thanking supporters for their loyalty. In the east stand, a massive banner read, ‘Mila esker De Marcos, Maite zaitugu’ (Thank you De Marcos, we love you).

Throughout his career, De Marcos played 573 matches, ranking him second in all-time matches played for the club, just behind the legendary José Ángel Iribar. He also helped Athletic secure three significant titles during his tenure, which includes the Supercups of 2015 and 2021 and the Copa del Rey in 2024.

The match concluded with a 2-0 loss to Barcelona, yet the score mattered little to the fans. The emotional farewell overshadowed any disappointment, solidifying De Marcos’s legacy as a true club icon.

As the final whistle blew, a standing ovation filled San Mamés, marking the end of an era for both De Marcos and Athletic Club.