The last time Real Madrid were this shocked by a departure they made a right mess of coping with it. And don't be under any illusion, Madrid thought Karim Benzema, easily one of the top three or four footballers ever to have worn Los Blancos' world-famous shirt and badge, was staying with them for at least another season. This isn't a departure they were prepared for.
Thursday morning's Marca, Madrid's football paper of choice, dedicated its front page, and seven inside pages, to the fact that the man to whom they were giving their "Legend" award, was definitely staying.