"Today we said goodbye to the Champions League, but we left with our heads held high and our hearts full." These words were written by Qarabag footballer Kevin Medina on his social media account.
The Colombian defender stated that he was proud to represent Qarabag and Azerbaijan in the world's biggest club tournament:
"We fought to the end, overcame difficulties, experienced unforgettable nights, and showed that with hard work and unity we are able to compete at the highest level. Every game was a battle, we lived every moment on the field with passion and responsibility. Although our journey ends here, we are left with a sense of accomplishment and the confidence that we left everything on the field."
He thanked his teammates, coaching staff, the club, and most importantly, the fans who never left them alone and always believed.
"You were our strength in every stadium, every minute. We are leaving stronger. We are leaving more experienced. And we will be back better. I am proud of the path we have taken. This is not the end - it is just another step on our journey."
It should be noted that Qarabag managed to advance to the playoff stage of the UEFA Champions League. The team lost to England's Newcastle club in this round.