REAL MADRID: 122 years a legend

REAL MADRID: 122 years a legend

Real Madrid celebrates 122 years of existence. On 6 March 1902, the first Board of Directors of the Madrid Foot Ball Club was officially elected. This marked the beginning of the greatest club in the world. 122 years later, Real Madrid is a benchmark in world sport with its 25 European Cups (14 in football and 11 in basketball) and holds the honour of being named by FIFA as the Best Club of the 20th Century.

Over the past year, Real Madrid has lifted five trophies to add to its impressive silverware haul. Among these triumphs is the club’s 11th European basketball trophy. This was a spectacular campaign, culminating in Llull’s unforgettable basket with three seconds left in the final against Olympiacos. In addition to the EuroLeague, Real Madrid also won the Copa del Rey in football (against Osasuna) and the Spanish Super Cup (won this season against Barcelona). In basketball, the recently won 29th Copa del Rey adds the to Spanish Super Cup at the start of the season.

Spectacular silverware list

Under the presidency of Santiago Bernabéu and with legendary players in the squad such as Di Stéfano, Gento, Puskas, Kopa and Santamaría, Real Madrid claimed the first five European Cups in a row between 1956 and 1960. In 1966 came the sixth, with legends such as Amancio and Pirri in the team. On 11 November 2023, José Martínez Pirri was named honorary president of Real Madrid at the club’s Extraordinary General Assembly, succeeding the legendary Galician winger.

After the latest triumphs, Real Madrid’s unparalleled trophy haul stands as follows: 14 European Cups, 8 Club World Cups, 5 Uefa Super Cups, 2 Uefa Cups, 35 League titles, 20 Copa del Rey trophies, 13 Spanish Super Cups, 1 League Cup, 2 Latin Cups, 2 Small Club World Cups and 1 Iberoamerican Cup.

Basketball and women’s football

As for basketball, Real Madrid’s trophy cabinet boasts 11 European Cups, 36 League titles, 29 Copa del Rey trophies, 10 Spanish Super Cups, 5 Intercontinental Cups, 4 European Cup Winners’ Cups, 1 Korac Cup, 1 ULEB Cup and 1 Latin Cup. Since 2020, the women’s football team and its youth academy have also become part of the club’s history.

Santiago Bernabéu stadium

The stadium continues undergoing a transformation process in order to remain a benchmark for sport. Madrid club president, Florentino Pérez, highlighted its importance at the last General Assembly: “It is the pride of all madridistas. It is part of our lives. And it will be our strongest ally to realise all our dreams. The new Santiago Bernabéu stadium is going to change the history of Real Madrid.” In addition, Real Madrid City is the finest sports complex in the world and continues to expand 18 years after its inauguration.

Real Madrid Foundation

Real Madrid celebrates 122 years as a universal club, but also as a club of solidarity. The Real Madrid Foundation is present in 100 countries and since its creation 26 years ago, it has helped to benefit the lives of more than 1.5 million people through more than 1,000 projects and some 450 socio-schools on every continent.

What makes Real Madrd special

Real Madrid CF, a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid that competes in La Liga, has a rich history and is one of the most successful and widely supported teams in the world.

Real Madrid has won a record 33 international titles, including 15 European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles, and has been ranked as the greatest football club of the 20th century by FIFA. The team’s success can be attributed to several factors, including its innovative training facilities, its culture of transparency and shared vision with fans, and its ability to attract and develop top talent.

Real Madrid’s state-of-the-art training facilities at Real Madrid City provide players with optimal conditions for development. The complex includes a medical center, hydrotherapy space, gym complex, and three training pitches with the same grass as the Bernabéu stadium. Innovation through data analytics also plays a crucial role in the team’s performance on and off the field.

The club’s culture of success stems from its organizational structure, which centers on transparency and a shared vision with fans. This culture has contributed to Real Madrid’s phenomenal run of success in recent years, with household names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos, and Karim Benzema leading the team to three UEFA Champions League titles in four years.

Real Madrid’s commitment to developing young talent is evident in its recruitment strategy. The club has signed numerous young players in recent years, such as Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham. This focus on youth ensures that as current stars age, the next generation is poised to take center stage and perpetuate a cycle of success.

With additional report from Real Madrid CF