It was a night heavy with emotion at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (20 December), as the Lion City Sailors sealed their place in a third straight Singapore Cup final, but the result was arguably secondary to the farewell of one of the greatest players ever to wear the badge: Maxime Lestienne.

Taking to the pitch for the final time in Sailors colours, Maxime walked out alongside his wife Kiara and his three children – Gabriel, Rafael and Alizee – before being presented with a specially designed #17 memento by Club Chairman Forrest Li.

The Belgian was also handed the captain’s armband for only the second time in his four-year long Sailors spell, and from the first whistle, every touch of his wand-like left foot drew an extra roar from the stands.

Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković admitted the night carried a unique emotional weight.

“Let’s be honest, this game was played in a different vibe,” he reflected. “I can imagine sometimes it’s tough for the players to focus because we wanted to play for Maxime. Still, reaching the final three times in a row is a great achievement for the club.”

Amid the emotion, however, the Sailors still delivered. A 1-0 victory on the night to complete a 5-1 aggregate win over Balestier Khalsa ensured a repeat of last season’s final against BG Tampines Rovers, who defeated Albirex Niigata (S) 5-3 over two legs.

As the teams marched out from the tunnel, Sailors fans unveiled a giant tifo in the home stands in tribute to Max, setting the tone for an emotional night.

That famous wand-like left foot was on display for one last time when Maxime picked out Shawal Anuar with a teasing cross in the seventh minute, only for Mario Mustapić to punch it clear.

Just two minutes later, Balestier handed the Sailors the breakthrough after a defensive lapse, when Lazar Vujanić’s short pass to Mustapić was intercepted by Shawal, who finished at the second attempt.

Tsiy Ndenge then tried his luck twice from distance, but both efforts drifted off target as the Sailors carried their 1–0 advantage into the interval.

After a slow start to the second half, Maxime sparked the game into life in the 67th minute, taking a deft touch before trying to curl one into the far corner, only for Mustapić to tip his effort away.

Then, the moment Maxime and the home fans had been waiting for arrived six minutes later, when the Sailors were awarded a penalty after a handball by Balestier defender Mario Šubarić.

Up stepped the Belgian, and with his trademark blend of confidence and flair, he attempted a cheeky Panenka. Unfortunately, Mustapić guessed correctly and denied Maxime a final Sailors goal.

“I have scored many penalties in my career but never a Panenka, so I said for the last game if I get a penalty, I wanted to try a Panenka. It didn’t pay off in the end, but honestly we were already in a very strong position to reach the final, so I knew that whether I scored or not, it would not affect the outcome,” explained Maxime.

At the other end of the pitch, Izwan Mahbud dealt calmly with a Vujanić free-kick, before Maxime delivered an exquisite floated cross that Toni Datković headed just over the bar.

Then came the moment that gave Sailors fans the chance to say their goodbyes.

In the closing stages, the fourth official’s board lit up with No. 17 as both teams formed a guard of honour for Maxime, who made his final walk off a Singapore pitch to the applause of supporters who had sung for him all evening before being substituted by fellow Sailors centurion Hafiz Nor.

The outpouring of love for Maxime continued long after the final whistle, as he was tossed into the air by his Sailors teammates before walking out once more with his family for a final lap of honour at Jalan Besar.

A tribute video then played on the stadium’s big screen before Max took to the microphone to deliver his parting message to the fans, with the Belgian visibly emotional and in tears as he spoke.

Many fans also stayed behind long after the post-match proceedings had ended, as they waited patiently outside the stadium to get their final photos and autographs taken with the Sailors icon.

“I’m a bit tired and a bit sad, but I also feel very proud,” said Maxime after the game in an interview with SailorFanTalk. “Even on the pitch, it was difficult for me to focus. I’m very proud of these four years during which I gave my best for the club.”

Meanwhile, Ranko paid tribute to a player he regards as one of the best, if not the best, to have played club football in Singapore.

“He’s unbelievable. And it’s not only Maxime’s legacy at this club, but also his impact on football in Singapore. I don’t think a player of his calibre has played here before, so we are going to miss that kind of quality and personality.”

Maxime leaves the Sailors with an incredible return of 70 goals and 97 assists in 131 matches, a body of work that firmly cements him as one of the club’s most influential players.

As he reflected on his time in Singapore, he recalled several standout moments: his long-awaited first goal against Tanjong Pagar United, two stunning free-kicks against Geylang, an unforgettable hat-trick against BG Tampines, and the rare celebration that followed his goal in the 2025 AFC Champions League (ACL) Two Final.

“That goal in the final… normally, I never celebrate, but I did,” he smiled wistfully. “We all know the story, what happened after. Maybe that’s my only regret. But I won everything collectively and individually. I’m proud of what I achieved with the club, and what we all achieved together.”

The 33-year-old, who has played in the UEFA Champions League with PSV Eindhoven and enjoyed spells in Serie A and La Liga, now heads back to Europe to decide his next step.

“I will talk to my family and make my decision after New Year’s Day. I don’t know yet if I’ll stop or continue somewhere else. It’s difficult to stop playing, but even if this is the end, I’ll be very happy.”

The Sailors will now turn their attention to their showdown with BG Tampines Rovers on Saturday, 10 January, after a short break. Victory would make them only the second side after Albirex Niigata (S) to lift the Singapore Cup three years in a row.

For Maxime, a lifelong Sailor at heart, a new journey now awaits. As for the team he leaves behind, the quest for silverware continues, carried forward by a legacy that will endure long after No. 17 has left the pitch.

He left with one final message for the Sailors: “This club deserves everything. I hope they win the cup final and the league. I wish them all the best and I will try to follow every match now.”