FM13 - Real Madrid Club de Fútbol

Real Madrid Club de Fútbol

Welcome to the Football Manager 2013 Club Thread for the 'best club' in the world: Real Madrid

- Club History -

1900-1910 Pioneers - The seed of Real Madrid was planted at the clearance of La Moncloa

One of the football teams from Alfonso XII Royal School; the young boy with the ball is Santiago Bernabéu / Madrid-Club Internacional Foot-Ball Lisboa fixture at the racetrack, 5 January 1907

The first decade of the 20th Century was taken over by events related to Real Madrid, establishing the Club as the banner of the incipient Spanish football scene. The rough first pitches, the establishment of football federations, the first official title, their international debut... All this was promoted by Carlos Padrós, President of Madrid Football Club and a decisive figure in the strong rooting of the sport in Spain.

Sky, direct precedent

At the start of 1897, young students at the Institución Libre de Enseñanza formed a sports group they named Football Club Sky. It was the direct precedent of Madrid Football Club.

Julián Palacios led the Club

An important group of players captained by Julián Palacios left Sky. Palacios led the split and unofficially presided over the newly established Madrid Football Club and its 50 members.

The pitch of marble mason Estrada

The first pitch Madrid played in was a plot of land next to the workshop of marble mason Estrada in the levelled area of Velázquez street, next to the construction works of future streets Lista (now named Ortega y Gaset) and Núñez de Balboa.

Renting of a plot of land on the Bullring's avenue

The second pitch in Real Madrid's history was a plot of land on the avenue where the Bullring was. The plot was partly co-owned by H.M. Queen María Cristina and the Counts of Villapadierna. The Club paid 150 pesetas (90 Euro cents) each year as rent and the players changed into their playing kit in a tavern called La Taurina.

Madrid Football Club foundation

On 6 March 1902, after a new Board presided by Juan Padrós had been elected, Madrid Football Club was officially founded. On 18 April, the Club Regulations, comprised of 22 articles divided into three headlines, were presented to the authorities. On 22 April 1902, José Sánchez-Guerra, Civil Governor of the Province approved the document.

I Spanish Championship is established

To celebrate the proclamation of Alfonso XIII as King, Madrid Football Club created the first Spanish Championship. Alberto Aguilera, Mayor of the Town and Court of Madrid -as the capital was officially called back then- supported the organisation of this football tournament and donated a silver cup as the prize for the winning team. The tournament took place in Madrid and Vizcaya were the victors.

The first Madrid-Barcelona

On 13 May 1902, the semifinals of the I Spanish Championship saw the first Madrid-Barcelona clash in history. Barcelona won 3-1 thanks to the six foreigners they lined up.

Albéniz, the first Madrid player to be transferred from Barcelona

Alfonso Albéniz Jordana was the first player to leave Barcelona in order to join Madrid. On 23 May 1902, a newspaper of the time confirmed the transfer with the following lines: "We have learned that Mr. Albéniz, former notable and enthusiastic Barcelona player, has joined Real Madrid Foot Ball Club, as well as other good players whose names we regrettably don't remember, but will quote in forthcoming match reports."

First trophy: two ceramic plates

Madrid were invited to take part in the festivities at El Escorial in 1902. Part of the programme featured a match between Madrid and Moncloa. On 11 August 1902, next to the facade of the monastery, the clash ended with a 6-5 score favourable to Madrid. The victors were awarded two ceramic plates that represent the first trophy the Club won in its history.

Driving force behind the creation of FIFA

Carlos Padrós, President of Madrid 1904-08, was the creator of the Spanish Championship, the Madrid Championship in 1905 and one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association in 1904.

Five-time victors of the Madrid Championship

As the President of the Madrid Football Club Association, Carlos Padrós felt the necessity of creating a Madrid Championship that took place for the first time in the 1904/05 season. Madrid won the short-lived tournament (9 editions) five times.

First official title

On 18 April 1905, after eliminating Recreation San Sebastian from the Madrid Championship, Madrid faced Athletic Bilbao in the final and won thanks to a goal by Manuel Prast. This was the first official title in the history of the Club.

International debut

Madrid organised a friendly game against French side Gallia to commemorate the visit of French President M. Loubert to Madrid. The match took place on 23 October 1905 and ended with a 1-1 draw. It was the first international clash to take place in the Town and Court of Madrid.

Keep the Cup of Spain trophy

Winning the Cup of Spain three consecutive years -1905, 1906 and 1907- allowed Madrid to keep the original Cup. They won the tournament again brilliantly in 1908, achieving a four-year dominance over national football.

Creation of the Spanish FA

On 4 January 1909, after a meeting at the Club with delegates from other Spanish football clubs, the Spanish FA was born. Real Madrid President Adolfo Meléndez signed the foundation agreement after being named Secretary of the organisation by everyone present at the meeting. On 11 November 1909 the Spanish FA was legally registered at the Civil Government of Madrid.

Former Madrid player Berraondo founds Real Sociedad

José Ángel Berraondo played a crucial role in Madrid's success in the four Cups of Spain they won between 1905 and 1908. He was both a player and Vice-president with Arturo Meléndez at the Club, as well as Provisional President. In 1909, he returned to his home town, San Sebastián, for professional reasons and founded Real Sociedad with some colleagues.

1,000 pesetas monthly rent for the pitch

In 1910, Madrid abandoned the primitive pitch at the Bullring's avenue to move to the O'Donnell pitch, located between the streets Narváez, O'Donnell, Duque de Sesto and Fernán González. Madrid paid a month's rent of 1,000 pesetas (six Euro). The pitch was 115 metres long and 85 metres wide. Two years later, in 1912, the Club built a fence around it.

1911-1920 The start of the Bernabéu saga

It was a decade of non-stop events in the life of the entity: the start of the Bernabéu saga, the inauguration of O'Donnell Field, the birth of the Madrid-Barcelona rivalry, Madrid's dominance in the Regional Championship, the title of Real was granted by Alfonso XIII, and the first tour of a European country. Ten years of growth which can boast of many more high points than low ones.

Pedro Parages -chosen as President during the meeting- is in the centre / The Club's bookkeepers kept precise records back in 1917

The Bernabéu family sets foot in the Club

Antonio, Marcelo and Santiago Bernabéu joined Madrid Football Club at the start of the 20th Century and forever left their mark on its history. Antonio had the organisational talent: he was a founding member of Bologna FC and later became President of the Spanish FA, Marcelo was an outstanding player, and Santiago was everything possible for the Club: player, delegate, director, secretary, and President.

Bernabéu debuts at the age of 16

Santiago Bernabéu made his Madrid debut on 3 March 1912 when he was only 16 years old. It was in a friendly against English Sports Club, and it took place at the Pradera del Corregidor, along the Manzanares River in Madrid. The Madridista squad defeated the English side 2-1, and Bernabéu, playing as a left midfielder, scored the winning goal.

Creation of the Regional FA and his first tournament

Adolfo Meléndez, two-time President of Madrid (1908-10 and 1913-16), presided over the meeting hosted by Madrid, during which the Madrilenian FA was created. Acting as Secretary, the main overseer of the Club signed the accord which, among other agreements, established the first competition between teams from the city, and whose winner would be elegible to play in the Spanish Championship.

Inauguration of O'Donnell Field

Thirty-one October 1912 witnessed the inauguration of O'Donnell Field. Two days later, the headline of Spanish daily ABC read: “The match between Sporting Club of Iran and said Society was held a Madrid's field and was a booming success. Sporting Club is one of the best teams to visit Madrid. They pass very well and have a beautiful aerial game. Perhaps they missed the sandy pitch. Madrid deserve the most profound congratulations for drawing against a team as fine as Sporting".

The regional tournament decked in white

The Regional Championship of the city will always be linked to the history of Real Madrid. While Adolfo Meléndez, President of the Club, pushed for the creation of the tournament, the Madridistas became its domineering participant, winning 12 of the 18 editions.

Madrid-Barcelona: eternal, epic qualifier

The semifinal of the 1916 Spanish Cup between Madrid and Barcelona turned into an eternal and epic elimination round. Because away goals didn't count twice in those days, the teams had to play four matches to determine the winner. Barça won the first game in the Ciudad Condal 2-1, which Madrid later bested 4-1 on the field of the Spanish capital's Athletic, where the last two matches were also held. By the end of regulation time in the first, the score was a 4-4 draw, which ended 6-6 by the end of injury time. Finally, Madrid defeated Barcelona 4-2 in the fourth match and qualified for the final.

The hostilities begin

In the final match of the aforementioned 1916 Cup semifinals, Barcelona players walked off the pitch with seven minutes remaining in protest of the fourth goal, which they considered to be offside. During the final between Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, hosted by Español in Barcelona, the Guardia Civil, Spain's Civil Guard, had to protect Madrid players on their way into the dressing room. Later on, rocks and stones were thrown at the bus that transported the team to the hotel. The hostilities between the two Clubs had begun.

Alfonso XIII grants the title of Real

On 29 June 1920, the Club received a communiqué from the Primary Superintendent of his Majesty the King Alfonso XIII which granted Madrid the title of Real. The decision, which would change the entity's original name, was eagerly anticipated by the Madridista Directors.

The first tour takes place in Italy

In 1920, Madrid went on their first tour, comprised of five matches in Italy. The trip was organised by Natalio Rivas, another of the founding members of Bolonga and Madridista player. The budget for the expedition was very small, so the team was forced to eat at the cheapest restaurants they could find.

1921-1930 Getting known outside Spain

The 1920's were chalk full of events that would define Real Madrid. Most importantly, the construction of the old Chamartín, which was considered a monumental undertaking at the time. With a seating capacity of 15,000, the new stadium was a spectacular leap towards the future. In the closing years of the decade, it was Ricardo Zamora's signing that caused a national stir. In the sporting arena, Madrid, as always, were the team to beat.

Santiago Bernabéu joins Atletico for a year

Real Madrid in London with the Spanish Ambassador before a match / The fans greet the team after their Cup triumph against Barcelona in Valencia

Prior to the start of the 1920/21 season Santiago Bernabéu left the Madridista team for the first time since his arrival in 1912, although fans did see him play in several friendlies with the “eternal rival.” In 1921, and after donning the Athletic Madrid shirt for a match against Español, the Spanish FA denied Bernabéu authorisation to play in the semifinals of the Spanish Cup because one year had not yet passed since his Madrid departure.

The first team to wear black armbands

Nowadays it's very common to see teams wearing black armbands as a sign of mourning. Madrid was the first team to ever wear the armband for such use, and they were first seen in a match against Athletic Madrid on 5 Match 1922, in honour of the deaths of Madridista Sotero Aranguren and Bilbao player Rafael Moreno “Pichichi”.

Ruete keeps Bernabéu off national team

After being called up several times by the national team, Santiago Bernabéu could have made his debut with Spain against Portugal in Lisbon on 17 December 1922. He was all dressed to play when national coach Julián Ruete gave Pagaza the nod instead. “I was surprised that they called me up, but even more so that they allowed me to dress but didn't play me,” stated Bernabéu.

One year at the Ciudad Lineal Velodrome

Real Madrid were forced to leave O'Donnell Field in 1923 because the owner wanted to develop the land. The team, therefore, moved to the Velodrome at Ciudad Lineal, which was the first grass playing field they ever used. The grounds belonged to Arturo Soria's heirs, who then rented it to Madrid. It measured 108 metres long by 68 metres wide, and had enough room for 8,000 spectators.

Chamartín, a so-called crazy undertaking

The construction of the field at Chamartín was believed to be a crazy, monumental undertaking in 1924, but what it really was a giant leap towards the future. It was inaugurated on 17 May 1924 with a match between Real Madrid and Newcastle United. The hosts defeated the English side 3-2 in front of 15,000 onlookers, which was full-capacity for the new Madridista field. In 1947, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was built on top of parts of this land.

The first English tour

Businessman Enrique Alcaraz was responsible for getting Real Madrid to play in England, the birthplace of football, for the first time. Despite the fact that every match against the English teams ended in defeat, the British press unanimously praised Real Madrid's talent and playing style.

Pedro Parages banishes black shorts because they are jinxed

Real Madrid had always dressed in white, until the 1925/26 season, when the shorts of the official kit were changed to black. A string of bad results led Club President Pedro Parages to scratch the black shorts idea because he thought they were jinxed.

Coach Santiago Bernabéu

In 1926, Santiago Bernabéu was given the head coaching job when President Luis Urquijo decided to replace Juan de Cárcer. Then, in 1928, he was in charge of the team for three months after taking over for José Ángel Berraondo. During the 1932/33 season, Bernabéu became interim coach for one month between the departure of Lippo Hertzka and the arrival of Robert E. Firth.

American tour stirs excitement

Real Madrid's first American tour was a big hit in Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Cuba, Mexico and the United States. During the three and a half months the team was on the two continents, they won 16 of the matches they played. José García Echaniz was responsible for the Madridista expedition and Santiago Bernabéu was the Club representative.

The first Madrid-Atletico derby

Madrid and Atletico met for the first time on 21 February 1929 in Matchday 3 of the League Championship at the former Chamartín. It was the first official derby of the new tournament, and Madrid won 2-1 thanks to a brace by Triana, while Marín scored the lone strike for the Rojiblancos.

First League runner-up

Real Madrid led the first Spanish football League for the first ten match days, and it looked like they would easily win the League title. But the Madridistas were surpassed by Arenas de Guecho and then Barcelona. Madrid retook the lead in the second-to-last matchday by defeating Arenas in what was their best game of the season. But the loss to Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés in the last match of the season kept Madrid from winning the title. They had to settle for runner-up, just one point behind Barcelona.

Zamora signing has national impact

The negotiations between Pablo Hernández Coronado and Damián Canellas, technical secretaries of Real Madrid and Español, respectively, produced the transfer of the legendary keeper to the Madridista Club. The Zamora signing caused a national stir, as Madrid paid the Catalan Club the astronomical figure of 150,000 pesetas (900€). “The Divine,” as Zamora was also known, made his Real Madrid debut on 5 October 1930 against Athletic Madrid in Matchday 4 of the Regional Championship.

Gaspar Rubio escapes Madrid

A strong adventurous spirit led Gaspar Rubio, a goal-scoring genius at the end of the 1930's, to join two friends and to jump aboard a Cuban-bound ship in La Coruña without Madrid's permission. Once on the Caribbean island, Rubio joined Juventud Asturiana. The Madridista Club reported him to FIFA, who forbade him from playing. Rubio then left to Mexico, which had no affiliation with FIFA, to play for España. His adventure came to an end on 10 April 1932. Madrid quickly snatched Gaspar Rubio up, but transferred him to Athletic Madrid shortly thereafter.

1931-1940 The first La Liga

Real Madrid won their first League title in the fourth edition of the competition. Their majestic performances allowed them to stand undefeated in the championship. They won the title again the following year, becoming the first team in history to win the League twice. A month before the Civil War broke out in Spain in 1936, Real Madrid won the Cup of the Republic against Barcelona. When the war started, the Popular Front seized the Club, but it resurfaced thanks to the Salvation Committee three years later when the conflict ended.

Impressive still of Chamartín during a Real Madrid-Atletico fixture / On 13 June 1943, Real Madrid destroyed Barcelona in the Cup

A bar at the Club

At the start of 1931, Real Madrid renewed their headquarters on 15 Caballero de Gracia Street. The Club expanded its offices and bought new furniture. President Luis de Usera and Technical Secretary Pablo Hernández Coronado had new offices built, but the greatest novelty of them all was the construction of a bar in which visitors could refresh their dry throats during football gatherings.

Real Madrid lose their crown

On 14 April 1931, the arrival of the Second Spanish Republic deprived Madrid of their royal title and the crown was taken off the logo. From then on, they went back to being known as Madrid Football Club.

League champions on Barcelona's turf

Real Madrid won the first of their 29 League titles in the 1931/32 season. The Madrilenian side stood undefeated in the competition that year and won with a three point advantage over Athletic Bilbao. The team won the title after drawing against Barcelona in the Catalonian city. The Whites won the League again the following year, thus becoming the first side to have won the championship twice. Alberty, the first foreigner at Madrid Spanish football had opened itself to the rest of the continent, and on 12 June 1934 Madrid went on a European tour. During the trip, they signed Fortuna Dusseldorf's Jacob Bender, but the German FA eventually didn't allow the transfer. Months later, on 20 December, a team comprised of Spanish players faced the national team of Hungary at Chamartín Stadium in honour of the Spanish international players that took part in the Italian World Cup. After the game, Hungary goalkeeper Gyula Alberty Kiszely, signed for Madrid and became the first foreign player to play on the team in the Club's history.

The first Madrid-Barcelona Cup final

On 21 June 1936, Madrid and Barcelona were pitted at Valencia's pitch, Mestalla, to play the final of the Cup of the Republic -the former Cup of Spain. Two early goals by Eugenio and Lecue put the Whites ahead on the scoreboard, but Escolá netted a goal for the Catalans half an hour into the game. The latter had another shot on goal in the second half that was magnificently saved by Zamora, avoiding the draw and having to go into overtime. Madrid won the Cup a month before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.

Seized by the Popular Front

The war started on 18 July 1936. The same day, the Club, along with every other sports entity in the country, was seized by the Popular Front who appointed their own people to run it. That's how Juan José Vallejo came to run the Spanish FA, the Football Association of Castilla and Madrid FC at the same time. Madrid kept functioning as always at the offices on 4 Recoletos Street with Pablo Hernández Coronado acting as Secretary and Head of the sports side of the Club, and Carlos Alonso being responsible for Chamartín Stadium.

Madrid vetoed by Barcelona

Pablo Hernández Coronado tried to make Madrid survive during the war, but the three steps he took trying to do so failed. He couldn't manage to get the team to play in the Valencia Championship and the Catalan Championship and his project for a European tour collapsed. The Catalan Championship started on 4 October 1936 with the following teams: Barcelona, Español, Sabadell, Gerona, Granollers and Badalona. Madrid coach Paco Bru managed to get the Catalan teams accept having Madrid in the tournament, but Barcelona vetoed them and they weren't allowed to take part in the Championship in the end.

Establishment of the Salvation Committee

The Salvation Committee was created when the war ended on 1 April 1939. It was presided by Adolfo Meléndez and it comprised Mssrs. Parages, Urquijo, Oliver, Coppel and Ortiz de Zárate. Its Secretary, Pablo Hernández Coronado, called up a meeting at 8 Fernanflor Street. After reviewing the appalling state Chamartín Stadium was in, Pedro Parages said, "This will be a complicated problem to solve because we will need approximately 300,000 pesetas to rehabilitate the stadium, an exorbitant sum these days."

The first full house of the post-war period

Chamartín Stadium reopened on 22 October 1939 to hold the first derby of the post-war period. It was a Regional Championship fixture in which Madrid defeated Atletico 2-1. Support for football didn't decrease with the war, and despite the fact that the cheapest tickets cost five pesetas -a price heavily criticised back in the day for being too expensive- the stands were full of fans that fervently rooted for their team.

1941-1950 Icon becomes President

Santiago Bernabéu's arrival as President went hand in hand with the creation of a legendary team and a universal Club. A few months before the President took office, Real Madrid defeated Barcelona in the Cup of Spain 11-1. Bernabéu always looked to the future and envisioned a new stadium at Chamartín capable of holding a crowd of 75,000. This was the first challenge of this unique man.

Santiago Bernabéu June 1943 / Despite the great effort, Bañón was unable to grab the ball

The Club recovers its crown

On 1 January 1941, after recovering their crown, Madrid Football Club changed their name to Real Madrid Club de Fútbol.

Historical victory against Barcelona: 11-1

In the second leg of the semifinals of the Cup of Spain of 1943, Real Madrid earned an historical victory over Barcelona, defeating the Catalans 11-1. The Whites were bitter about the 3-0 defeat at Las Corts Stadium in the first leg and the bad reception Barcelona's fans gave them. They stepped onto the pitch at Chamartín Stadium determined to earn a victory and sealed a spectacular 8-0 score at the end of the first half. At the end of the match, the score-board reflected an historical figure: 11-1. Pruden (4), Barinaga (3), “Chus” Alonso (2), Alsúa and Botella scored Real Madrid's eleven strikes, while Martín tallied Barcelona's only goal.

Bernabéu's era begins

Antonio Santos Peralba, President of Real Madrid, and the Marquis Mesa de Asta, President of Barcelona, were forced out of their jobs by the hostilities between both teams during the semifinals. In gatherings attended by outstanding figures at Real Madrid the name of Santiago Bernabéu, who had no dealings with the Club since 1935, came up. He was easily convinced to become the Club's next President and his appointment was made public on 15 September 1943. Ernesto Cotorruelo, President of the Football Association of Castilla, presided the Presidency Handover between Peralba and Bernabéu, which was also attended by members of their Boards of Directors.

Chamartín cost 37 million pesetas

In spring 1943, Santos Peralba pointed out that a new stadium should be built and that it should hold a crowd of 40,000 people. Less than a year later, Santiago Bernabéu was much more ambitious in one of his Board meetings: "Gentlemen, we need a much larger Stadium and we are going to build it." Bernabéu decided to build a stadium capable of holding 75,000 people in its first stage and whose building works would amount to 37 million pesetas (222,375 Euro).

Bernabéu's first two titles

The 1940s weren't the best of decades for Real Madrid, but they marked the start of Bernabéu's office and the Club's return to winning titles. The first were two consecutive Cups of Spain won in 1946 and 1947 after defeating Valencia 3-1 and Español 2-0, respectively.

Pioneer in having numbered shirts

On 23 November 1947, in a game against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium, Real Madrid became the first Spanish team to wear numbered shirts. It was Pablo Hernández Coronado's idea. The Spanish FA liked the initiative an decreed in 1948 that every team should have their players numbered in the range between 2 and 11. Once again, Real Madrid were pioneers in Spanish football.

Spectacular inauguration of the new Chamartín Stadium

The inauguration of the new Chamartín Stadium was very solemn. A mass was held on 14 December 1947, followed by a series of acts paying tribute to Santiago Bernabéu's vision and to the members whose money had financed the construction. The match between Real Madrid and Os Belenenses kicked-off at 3:30 pm when they were over. Real Madrid defeated the Portuguese side 3-1 and the new Colosseum became the pride of all Madrdismo and the envy of every football Club in Spain.

Kubala's failed signing

In 1948, Real Madrid underwent a radical renewal of their squad. Two years later, they tried to sign Ladislao Kubala, who had arrived in Spain with his then team Hungaria. Negotiations were called off because the player wanted to include his brother-in-law, Fernando Daucik, as coach in the deal and Bernabéu did not comply.

Molowny, the only Madridista in the 1950 World Cup

Spain achieved the great feat of getting to the quarterfinals of the Brazil 1950 World Cup and the only Real Madrid player on the squad was Luis Molowny, who stood out above his teammates in their 2-2 draw against Uruguay, who would go on to win the tournament.

1951-1960 Alfredo Di Stéfano

Real Madrid turned legend into myth in the 1950s. The Club celebrated its 50 year anniversary and signed Di Stéfano during this magnificent decade. The arrival of the Argentine player was an inflexion point for the Whites. The team won their first League in 21 years and Bernabéu and Saporta played key roles in the establishment of the European Cup, which Real Madrid won five years in a row. The crowning moment to the decade was the Whites' victory in the first Intercontinental Cup.

In the dressing room, Di Stéfano shows the camera the pennant he would hand over to Nacy on his debut / Epic quarterfinal match on snow at Partizan Belgrade's stadium during the first-ever European Cup

Brilliant Gold Wedding Anniversary celebration

Santiago Bernabéu's administration spared no money and efforts to commemorate the Club's 50th anniversary. They celebrated several acts that amounted to 20 million pesetas in cost. A magnificent football tournament was held, but the Club didn't forget about other sports and organised basketball, handball, chess, horse racing, wrestling and bull fighting competitions to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Two extravagant Madridistas, Benito Pico and Manolo Suárez, were in charge of organising the festivities.

Di Stéfano draws attention at Millonarios

Millonarios Bogotá won the football trophy in the celebration after playing against Swedish side Norrkoping and Real Madrid. Alfredo di Stéfano showcased his great quality and speed in both clashes at Chamartín Stadium.

The soap opera that was Di Stéfano's signing

Alfredo Di Stéfano met Santiago Bernabéu in March 1952 during the anniversary celebrations and his signing for the Club resembled a soap opera in which Santiago Bernabéu, Raimundo Saporta, Enrique Martí, Barcelona President and Technical Secretary José Samitier, Millonarios President Alfonso Senior, River Plate President Enrique Pardo and Spanish FA Board Member Armando Muñoz Calero played leading roles. Bernabéu's strategy and Martí's mistakes made Di Stéfano sign for Real Madrid.

Di Stéfano's hectic debut

On 23 September 1953, Alfredo Di Stéfano, his wife and daughters arrived in Madrid from Barcelona at 10:30 am. As soon as he entered Madrid's Atocha Railway Station, the player went to the Club, passed his medical exam, had lunch, left his family at the Emperatriz Hotel, met his new teammates in the dressing room and played his first game at 3:30 pm. It was a friendly game against Nancy won by the Whites 4-2. Di Stéfano scored his first goal as a Real Madrid player on the 67-minute mark.

Joaquín Navarro, first Spanish player to be in an All-European FIFA team

Real Madrid's Joaquín Navarro -outstanding defender also known as "The Fireman"- was the first Spanish player to play in an All-European FIFA team in Wembley as part of the 90th Anniversary celebrations of the English FA.

Third League title, 23 years later

The first consequence of Alfredo di Stéfano's signing was winning the 1953/54 League. The Club hadn't won the title since the 1932/33 season and euphoria spread throughout Madridismo. Twenty-one years later, fans could sing the victory chant again thanks to coach Enrique Fernández.

Chamartín Stadium is renamed as Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

In the 4 January 1955 General Assembly, Messrs. Zapater and Caso proposed changing the name of the stadium to Santiago Bernabéu. The proposal was approved and the President reluctantly accepted this honour as it was the will of the Club's voting members.

Driving force behind the creation of the European Cup

Santiago Bernabéu was one of the people to enthusiastically embrace the proposal of Gabriel Hanot -Chief Editor of L'Equipe- of creating a European tournament to determine which was the best team in the continent. On 2 April 1955, representatives of the most prestigious football clubs in Europe heeded the call of L'Equipe Director Jacques Goddet and met at the Ambassador Hotel in Paris. Bernabéu's leadership skills amazed everyone at the meeting.

The European legend starts in Geneva

Real Madrid made their European Cup debut in the competition's first edition on 8 September 1955 in Geneva against Servette. They won 2-0 thanks to goals by Muñoz and Rial. The Madrid expedition was greeted the day prior to the match in Lausanne by Queen Victoria Eugenia, Don Juan and Don Juan Carlos -currently Juan Carlos I, King of Spain.

First European champions

After eliminating Servette and complicated sides like Partizan Belgrade and Milan, Real Madrid defeated Stade Reims in the Paris final 4-3, coming back from a 2-0 score in favour of the French side. The trophy was a 23.2 kg, 66 cm tall amphora. The 13 June 1956 victors were: Juan Alonso; Atienza, Marquitos, Lesmes; Muñoz, Zárraga; Joseíto, Marsal, Di Stéfano, Rial and Gento.

The most powerful lighting system in the world

On 18 March 1957, the Club used the new artificial lighting system at the Bernabéu for the first time in a clash with Brazilian side Recife. 480 lights gave 1,500 lux, much more power than other European stadiums, such as Parc des Princes in Paris -130 lux- old Wembley -140 lux- and Barcelona's Las Corts -350 lux. 70,000 people saw how Real Madrid defeated Recife 5-3 in new light.

Two-time European Champion at the Bernabéu

On 30 May 1957, 125,000 fans witnessed how Real Madrid were crowned European champions for the second time running at the Santiago Bernabéu after defeating Fiorentina. The Italian side's catenaccio was responsible for the 0-0 score at the end of the first half. The draw was kept on the score until the 70-minute mark, when Di Stéfano scored from a penalty that came from a tackle on Mateos. Six minutes later, Gento netted a spectacular lob that went over keeper Sarti and Real Madrid eventually won the match 2-0. Real Madrid's starting line-up was as follows: Juan Alonso; Torres, Marquitos, Lesmes; Muñoz, Zárraga; Kopa, Mateos, Di Stéfano, Rial and Gento.

Di Stéfano is awarded his first Ballon d'Or

Alfredo Di Stéfano received his first Ballon d'Or from Jacques Ferrán, Director of France Football, on 23 January 1958. The ceremony was held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium before the Real Madrid-Sevilla European match scheduled for the day. Di Stéfano scored four of the eight strikes Real Madrid tallied against the Andalusian side. Di Stéfano was awarded the Ballon d'Or again in 1959.

Three-time European Champion

Real Madrid became European champions for the third time at Heysel Stadium in Brussels after defeating Milan in overtime 3-2. The extraordinary match saw both teams showcasing professional pride. Gento's goal in overtime crowned the Whites as champions.

European kings again

Madridismo triumphed again in the fourth European Cup final. The match was held in Stuttgart and Real Madrid faced an old foe: Stade Reims. The Whites earned a 2-0 victory thanks to goals by Mateos and Di Stéfano and kept their European crown. Real Madrid were already considered as the best team in Europe.

Five-time champions

On 18 May 1960, Real Madrid won their fifth consecutive European title in Glasgow, a feat that as of today stands unrivalled. Hampden Park saw how the Whites defeated Eintracht Francfort 7-3, thanks to four goals by the unforgettable Puskas and three by Di Stéfano.

First Intercontinental Cup champions

Libertadores Cup champions Peñarol Montevideo played against European champions Real Madrid in the first Intercontinental Cup. The first leg was held in the Uruguayan capital and ended with a 0-0 draw. The second leg took place at the Bernabéu on 4 September 1960 and Real Madrid won 5-1. The starting line-up was as follows: Domínguez; Marquitos, Santamaría, Pachín; Vidal, Zárraga; Herrera, Del Sol, Di Stéfano, Puskas and Gento.

1961-1970 The Kidnapping and bitter farewell

A glorious cycle was drawing to an end after two defeats in two different European Cup finals against Benfica and Inter Milan, respectively. The decline of the players that had thrilled the whole of Europe ended with their departure from the Club. Miguel Muñoz's generational reshuffle was eventually successful. The so called "Ye-Yés” regained the European crown by winning the Club's sixth European Cup. [/b]

The entire squad with the La Liga trophy 1964/1965; Santiago Bernabéu is in the centre, wearing a suit / Barcelona - Real Madrid 1968

Madricide against Barcelona

Real Madrid were eliminated from the European Cup for the first time in November 1960 against Barcelona. English referees Ellis and Leafe played a big role in the Madridista defeat. The former allowed an unfair penalty to Barcelona at the Bernabéu and the match eventually ended with a 2-2 score. The latter disallowed four Real Madrid goals at the Camp Nou and Barcelona won 2-1. The international press heavily criticised Ellis and Leafe's performance and coined the term Madricide to describe Real Madrid's unjust elimination.

Barcelona get thrashed eleven days later

Real Madrid took revenge from their defeat against Barcelona a few days later by defeating the Catalans 5-3 at the Camp Nou on 4 December.

Exhibition at Maracaná

On 8 February 1961, the Whites played at Maracaná Stadium for the first time. They faced Vasco da Gama and earned a 2-0 score before half-time thanks to goals by Del Sol and Canario. Real Madrid were tired in the last 45 minutes and the game eventually ended in a 2-2 draw.

Seven Madridistas in the 1962 World Cup

Pablo Hernández Coronado was the Spanish national coach for the Chile 1962 World Cup. He stirred up some controversy by not including Amancio on the squad list, but nevertheless called up Di Stéfano, Santamaría, Puskas, Pachín, Del Sol, Gento and Araquistain. Unfortunately, Di Stéfano got injured and had to miss the tournament.

Di Stéfano kidnapped for three days

Alfredo Di Stéfano was kidnapped at the Potomac Hotel in Caracas, where Real Madrid were staying during the World Club Championship. He was taken away the night of the 21 August 1963 by the Libebration Front of Venezuela. "I thought they were going to kill me," wrote the player in his autobiography Gracias, Vieja. The kidnapping had great impact and his captors got the publicity they wanted. Di Stéfano was freed three days later.

The first Real Madrid City is inaugurated

The 1956 General Assemby approved the construction of the first Real Madrid City. The grounds were inaugurated seven years later thanks to Real Madrid Vicepresident Álvaro Bustamante, who promoted the idea. The opening took place on 18 May 1963. A very important international athletics meeting took place as part of the inauguration.

Di Stéfano's bitter farewell

On 27 June 1964, Alfredo Di Stéfano played his last official match as a Real Madrid man at Vienna's Prater Stadium against Inter Milan in the ninth European Cup final, which the Italian side won 3-1. Di Stéfano had a confrontation with coach Miguel Muñoz and Santiago Bernabéu took the latter's side. The President offered the player to stay at the Club to do other jobs, but he refused and signed for Español.

Five consecutive League titles... Again

Real Madrid are the only side to have won the League five consecutive times twice in the competition's 76-year history. The first time they achieved this was between the 1960/61 and 1964-65 seasons and they repeated the feat between the 1985-86 and 1989-90 seasons. No other Spanish team has been able to break this record.

The "Ye-Yés" crown themselves as European champions

Miguel Muñoz's generational reshuffle of the team in 1964 was successful two years later. On 11 May 1966, Real Madrid won their sixth European Cup title at Brussel's Heysel Stadium against Partizan Belgrade, whom they defeated 2-1. This was the "Ye-Ye" team. "Ye-Ye" was how youngsters were called in Spain in the Sixties, especially those who looked like the Beatles. The team back then was formed by Araquistain; Pachín, De Felipe, Sanchís; Pirri, Zoco; Serena, Amancio, Grosso, Velázquez and Gento.

A tribute to three excellent players

Three tribute games were held to honour three legendary players at the end of the Sixties: José Emilio Santamaría (15-9-66), Alfredo di Stéfano (7-6-67) and Ferenc Puskas (26-6-69). The threesome were already a symbol of Real Madrid greatness and of the Club's history. The three became coaches at the end of their careers as players. Needless to say, the crowd gave them an incredibly warm ovation.

1971-1980 Santiago Bernabéu's dead and the best team of Europe

Santiago Bernabéu died in the 1970s. Before his death, Miguel Muñoz left the team after coaching it for 14 years. The Club's 75th Anniversary celebration didn't receive much support. The decade saw Real Madrid play against Castilla in the final of the Spanish Championship as well as a transitional period that followed Bernabéu's death.

The attackers that played in the second tribute-match for Gento: Bene, Santillana, Eusebio, Dobrin & Gento / A season presentation, Santiago Bernabéu went to greet the players; here he is seen with Stielike

UEFA Cup Winner's Cup finalists

Real Madrid made their debut in the no longer existent UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in the 1970/71 season. They reached the final against Chelsea by defeating Hibernians, Wacker Innsbruck, Cardiff City and PSV Eindhoven. Both sides had to play the game twice at the Greek Karaikiris Stadium because the first match -held on 19 May 1971- ended in a 1-1 draw and neither team was capable of scoring the winning goal during overtime. The second clash took place two days later and Chelsea won 2-1.

Arias Navarro doesn't approve the project for a new stadium

On 8 September 1973, Real Madrid announced their intention of demolishing the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in order to build a new venue with a capacity for 125,000 people and a parking lot beneath it for 8,000 cars. Mayor Carlos Arias Navarro's refusal to reclassify the plot of land and the letter by lawyer Luis Pascual Estevill against the project that was published in newspaper ABC put an end to the project.

Miguel Muñoz's great period ends

Miguel Muñoz became coach of Real Madrid in 1960 when Fleitas Solich left. He ended up winning nine leagues, two Cups of Spain two European Cups and one Intercontinental Cup in 14 seasons. On 15 January 1974, Santiago Bernabéu ended Muñoz's period "because he had been suffering for too long". Luis Molowny, a man from the Club, replaced a living legend.

Real Madrid look to the Balkans

After the 1974/75 season, Luis Molowny was replaced by the Yugoslavian Miljan Miljanic. He signed on 5 July 1974 and from then onwards the team played an unattractive game based on physical efforts and tactical order. This system earned the team two Leagues and one Cup of Spain in three seasons. Another Yugoslavian, Vujadin Boskov, took the reins of the team in 1979. He coached them until half way through the 1981/82 season. He won the League and the King's Cup in his first year as coach.

Prelude to the Great Recoveries

The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium lived one of its most glorious nights on 5 November 1975. Real Madrid recovered from a 4-1 defeat in the first leg of the Last 16 round of the European Cup against Derby County. At the end of the second leg, the result was 4-1 for the Whites, which forced both teams to play overtime. Santillana scored the winning goal; this was the prelude to Real Madrid's Great Recoveries.

No support for the 75th Anniversary Celebrations

The 75th Anniversary Celebrations had little support from the fans because of the team's bad results and Bernabéu's retirement to Santa Pola due to ill health. A tournament was organised between the national teams of Argentina and Iran, Moroccan side Mouloudia Chabia and Real Madrid. The little support was evident in a half-full, tedious match between Real Madrid and Argentina that the Whites won 1-0 thanks to a goal by Vicente del Bosque.

The Patriarch dies

Santiago Bernabéu died at his home on 2 Jericó Street on 2 June 1978 six days before his 83rd birthday. His death put an end to an extraordinary 35-year Presidency at Real Madrid. Many condolences were received and deposited at the Club. A memorial service was held on 3 June in his village, Almansa, where he is buried.

Luis de Carlos takes office as President

After a brief period as interim President, Raimundo Saporta called for elections. The Club's treasurer, Luis de Carlos, resigned in order to run for President. 26 July 1978 was the deadline for candidates to apply in order to run for office. De Carlos submitted 3,352 documents endorsing his candidacy, while the rest -gynaecologist Campos Gil and florist José Daguerre- didn't get the minimum number required in time. This called off the election and Luis de Carlos was proclaimed President of Real Madrid.

The Whitest Cup final

On 4 June 1980, the Santiago Bernabéu hosted the Cup final between Real Madrid and Castilla, the Club's second team, created on 21 July 1972. Castilla managed to defeat four First Division teams -Hércules, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Sporting Gijon- to get to the final of the Spanish Championship. Real Madrid defeated Castilla -coached by the sorely missed Juanjo- 6-1.

Best European team of 1980

France Football named Real Madrid the Best European Team of 1980. The jury took into account the two national titles the team won that year -the League and the King's Cup- and the fact that they reached the semifinals of the European Cup that season.

1981-1990 The Five Machos

The second half of the 1980's were incredible. Real Madrid won two UEFA Cups and five consecutive League titles, the fifth which set a record. It was a lustrum (1985 to 1990) during which the Whites amazed with two quintets that stirred the imagination: “El Buitre” and “The Five Machos,” whose only pending achievement during their brilliant careers was winning the European Cup.

Valladolid players greet the 1986/87 league champions / Miguel Ángel and Rubén Cano greet each other before a Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid clash

One minute spells the difference between glory and failure

The 1980/81 season had an unpleasant finish for Madrid. On 26 April 1981, they lost the League when the victory chant was already being sung in Valladolid. Real Sociedad, who drew (2-2) against Sporting in the last minute at El Molinón claimed the title. Barely one month later, on 27 May, an Alan Kennedy goal (82nd minute) gave Liverpool the European Cup, when overtime was the only fair option.

The players strike

The professional Real Madrid squad was one of four teams of the Primera Division to back the strike called on 11 April 1982. On that day, the Whites played at Castellón with Castilla footballers and defeated the hosts 2-1.

The Bernabéu host the 1982 World Cup final

The final of the 1982 World Cup took place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. In a thrilling match, Italy outplayed Germany and won 3-1. What most spectators will remember most from that 11 July 1982 was the joy that overcame Sandro Pertini, President if Italy, each time the Italian side scored.

Di Stéfano returns to the Club

With the Presidential elections on the horizon, candidate Luis de Carlos introduced Alfredo di Stéfano and Amancio Amaro as coaches of the first team and Castilla on 19 May 1982. The Arrow left Madrid in 1964 and returned to the Club 18 years later. De Carlos defeated Ramón Mendoza in the election and Di Stéfano, who signed on for two years, won five runners-up titles in his first year as the Madridista coach.

The Arrow's second farewell

Once the 1983/84 season had ended, Alfredo di Stéfano again said goodbye to Real Madrid. Twenty-one years later he went through the same experience. His contract ended on 30 June 1984 and Luis de Carlos decided not to resign him due to the failure to achieve sporting success.

Historic downpour of goals against Anderlecht

On 12 December 1984, Emilio Butragueño became a European household name with an unforgettable performance against Anderlecht at the Bernabéu. The Belgians were coming off a 3-0 first leg win in Brussels and had the next round of the UEFA Cup in sight, but Butragueño crushed all their hopes with three goals (the other three were scored by Valdano, two, and Sanchís) and Real Madrid won convincingly 6-1.

Ramón Mendoza initiates a new era

After two brief stints as a Director and an election-time defeat to Luis de Carlos, Ramón Mendoza's became President of Real Madrid in 1985. Mendoza's arrival was the dawn of a new era in the history of the Club.

Back-to-back UEFA Cup champions [/b]

Real Madrid's first two UEFA Cup titles were won back-to-back. The first in 1984 against Hungary's Videoton (3-0 at Sosto Stadium and 0-1 in Chamartín), and the second one year later after defeating FC Köln 5-1 at the Bernabéu and losing 2-0 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Longest League in history won by Madrid

The 1986/87 season went down in history as the longest League in Spanish football. After 34 matchdays, each team played 10 more games in a three-part playoff: the top six teams would play for the title, which Real Madrid won, the next six would battle it out for a spot in the League Cup with the possibility of participating in the UEFA Cup, and the last six would duke it out to stave off relegation.

Five years of fantasy and dominance

The Real Madrid of the Quinta del Buitre and the The Five Machos won five consecutive Leagues with extraordinary authority (1985/86 to 1989/90) and equalled the record achieved between 1960/61 and 1964/65. During the fifth League, Madrid set a new record by scoring 107 goals in 38 matches. The years belonged to Butragueño's fantasy and the dominance of Hugo Sánchez, who won the Golden Boot along with CSKA Sofia's Hristo Stoitchkov.

Temporary Di Stéfano-Camacho duo

On 17 November 1990, after sacking John Benjamín Toshack, Ramón Mendoza turned back to the wisdom of Alfredo di Stéfano and the youth of José Antonio Camacho to coach the team; a temporary duo while the President tried to woo Luis Aragonés away from Espanyol to immediately take charge of the Madridista squad. Luis didn't wanted to disassociate himself from the Catalan side, so Mendoza signed Antic.

1991-2000 More managerial changes then trophies

This was the decade in which the Club won its seventh and eight European Cups. Real Madrid sat on the European throne once more at the end of the 1990s, which had an uneasy first half for the Whites with two League titles lost against Tenerife.

Redondo, Anelka and captain Sanchís with the cup / Players and coaching staff celebrate the seventh European Cup title in Amsterdam

Today, 6 March 2007, Real Madrid celebrate their 105th anniversary. In a meeting held in Rome in 2000, FIFA decided to name the entity the Best Club of the 20th Century or, by all accounts, the best Club in the history of football. Five years after receiving this distinction, the beat goes on and the Whites are looking to take on a new lease on life and relive the good old days, the ones that put Real Madrid in centre stage of world football.

Mendoza advances elections

Although he still had a full year on his ticket, then President Ramón Mendoza advanced the Presidential elections to 14 April 1991. Opposite him was writer Alfonso Ussía, whose results were more than honourable in spite of his diminished resources. The electoral success won Mendoza another four years in the Presidential chair.

Tenerife, the “cursed island”

Ramón Mendoza dismissed coach Antic in mid-season. At the time, the Serbian coach had led Real Madrid to a seven point lead during the 1991-92 campaign. He was substituted by Dutch manager Leo Beenhakker, who had re-joined the Club as Technical Director just weeks before. With the Dutchman coaching the team, Madrid were robbed of the League title in Tenerife in the last day of the season. It was exactly the same story the following year, this time with Benito Floro at the rudder. After losing two consecutive titles in the last game of the campaign in exactly the same spot, the Canary isle of Tenerife was tagged a “cursed island ” for Madridismo.

Renovations at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium

The renovations of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium began on 7 February 1992 and ended two years and change later, on 7 May 1994. The expense of the works was in excess of ESP 5,000 million (EUR 30 million), including the ESP 300M (EUR 1.8M) for the insurance that would cover both the construction workers and the attending spectators during the time.

Valdano returns to coach the team

After snatching two League titles from Real Madrid and eliminating them from the King's Cup in his capacity as coach of Tenerife, Jorge Valdano signed a coaching agreement with Real Madrid set on putting the Whites back on the road to success and terminate the 4-year Liga title drought. The Argentine did just that in his first season at his former team and all Real Madrid fans got to sing along to the victory chant at the end of the season.

Sanz relieves Mendoza in Club Presidency

After ten and a half years in office, Ramón Mendoza handed in his irrevocable resignation on 20 November 1995. He was relieved by Lorenzo Sanz, who held recourse to Club by-law 49 to get elected as heir to Mendoza by the 11 directors who continued in the Board of Directors following the transfer of power.

Capello makes his debut with Real Madrid

On 20 May 1996, Lorenzo Sanz presented Fabio Capello as new head coach of Real Madrid. The Italian trainer landed in Madrid borne out by his five successful seasons with AC Milan, with whom he won the 1994 European Cup. Although Capello only stayed with the team during the 1996-97 season, he managed to win the League.

Seventh European Cup

After a less than impressive domestic run, coach Jupp Heynckes led the team to win the very much awaited -last one was in 1966, 32 years earlier- European Cup. The venue: Amsterdam Arena. Date: 20 May 1998. The Merengues conquered their seventh top European trophy with a goal by now Sporting Director Pedja Mijatovic against the Italian side of Juventus, who were the hot favourites that night.

Second Intercontinental Cup

Guus Hiddink was the manager in charge of guiding Real Madrid to their second Intercontinental Cup after the surprising resignation of Juan Antonio Camacho in July 1998, before the actual season even began. An extraordinary goal by Raúl in Tokyo sealed the more than fair 2-1 end result for the Whites.

Eighth European Cup & First Spanish Final

Vicente del Bosque took over John Benjamin Toshack as head coach of Real Madrid in mid-season and spearheaded the Madridistas towards raising their eighth European Cup -second Champions League title. The venue was superb: the newly built Saint-Denis stadium of Paris would host the first ever Spanish final -as well as the first ever final of the European Cup between two teams of the same country- on 24 May 2000. It was a vibrant game which saw Madrid triumph over Valencia with a final 3-0 result. It was the last European Cup of the 20th Century and, as the first one, it belonged to the Whites.

Florentino Pérez wins the elections

On 16 July 2000, Florentino Pérez was elected new President of Real Madrid after defeating Lorenzo Sanz in the polls. Pérez's successful campaign was based on two pillars: get rid, for once and for all, of the historical Club debt and sign the best players in the world.

Best Club 20th Century

On 11 December 2000, during the FIFA gala in Rome, Florentino Pérez and Honourary Club President Alfredo di Stéfano received the accolade honouring Real Madrid as the Best Club of the 20th Century.

2001-2010 Los Galácticos

Figo, Beckham, Zidane, Ronaldo... The best players in the world joined the Club and formed one of the most spectacular teams in history. The Santiago Bernabéu was expanded and the new Real Madrid City in Valdebebas was built. The crowning moment was the Club’s ninth European Cup title.

The Real Madrid Sports City rezoned

Zidane pulled off the most beautiful plays on the pitch at the Bernabéu / Beckham says goodbye after winning the league title in the last game of the 2006/07 season

After the mandatory formalities, Real Madrid's Sports City was rezoned after a three-way agreement that was signed in the headquarters of Madrid's Autonomous Community Council on 7 May 2001. The three parties implicated were Florentino Pérez, José María Álvarez del Manzano and Alberto Ruiz Gallardón in representation of Real Madrid, the City Council and the Madrid Autonomous Community, respectively. The agreement accrued income worth ESP 80,000 million - EUR 480 million for the Club.

The King of Spain, Honourary Centenary President

In the prelude to the celebrations of the Real Madrid Centenary, Florentino Pérez and the Board of Directors unanimously agreed to offer His Majesty the King of Spain the Honourary Centenary President distinction. The monarch accepted the honorary presidency with his habitual modesty.

A Centenary riddled with successes

The Club Centennial took place in 2002 and attracted worldwide acclaim. From the sporting perspective, Madrid won their ninth European Cup after defeating Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow 2-1; the first European Super Cup against Feyenoord with an identical result (2-1); and their third Intercontinental Cup beating Club Olimpia by 2-0 in Tokyo. One could not have wished for a better 100-year anniversary.

Florentino Pérez resigns

On 27 February 2006, Florentino Pérez irrevocably resigned his Presidential post. Fernando Martín became the acting President, followed by Luis Gómez Montejano, who in turn called last summer's Presidential elections.

Ramón Calderón elected President

The Real Madrid presidency was disputed by five candidates, Ramón Calderón, Juan Palacios, Juan Miguel Villar Mir, Lorenzo Sanz and Arturo Baldasano. Following the 2 July 2006 vote, Ramón Calderón was elected President after having won the in-person vote.

Capello's comeback

On 5 July 2006, Fabio Capello signed for Madrid for the second time in his life. The Italian manager asked for and got the signings of Cannavaro, Emerson, Diarra, Reyes and Van Nistelrooy. The winter transfer window saw three new players join the Whites: Marcelo, Higuaín and Gago.

Death of Puskas

Ferenc Puskas Biro died on 17 November 2006 from an illness he had been suffering from for a long time; he was 79 years old.

Honourary Club Member Joseph Blatter

FIFA President Joseph Blatter was awarded the Club’s Gold and Diamond Insignia by Honourary President Alfredo di Stéfano, whom Blatter considers to be the all-time greatest football player. Real Madrid also made the FIFA Premier an Honourary Club Member.

League champions

The ‘Together we can, together we stand’ campaign worked wonders and got the fans and the team to stand together and eventually win the Club’s 30th football League title. The Whites won the title after an impressive comeback against Mallorca the last day of the competition (3-1). It was Ramón Calderón’s first football title as President.

Back to Back league titles

The 2007/08 season began with a new project under new head coach Bernd Schuster and several new faces in the lineup: Robben, Heinze, Sneijder, Drenthe, Saviola, and Metzelder. Real Madrid took hold atop the table in Matchday 2 with a 0-5 victory over Villarreal, a position they never abandoned throughout the year. The Whites ended the campaign as the highest scoring (84 goals) and the least scored upon (36) team. They also established a new La Liga record by notching 85 points, 18 more than third place Barcelona.

Eighth Spanish Super Copa

After winning their second consecutive league title, Real Madrid faced Valencia in the Spanish Super Cup prior to the start of the 2008/09 season. Valencia won the first leg 3-2, but despite falling behind in the return leg at the Bernabeu, the Whites mounted an incredible turn around to claim their eighth Spanish Super Cup.

Florentino Perez begins second term as President

Florentino Perez returned to the presidency of Real Madrid on 1 June 2009 during an election campaign in which he ran unopposed, perhaps due to the overwhelming support of members as evidenced by several polls taken by major media outlets. Under the slogan "Excitement Returns", the Florentino Perez candidacy brought about a sense of optimism that helped raise spirits after experiencing the dominance displayed by Barcelona. A new and exciting project backed by the legacy left by the same Board that ruled over the club for nearly six years is underway; six years during which Real Madrid lived some of its most memorable highlights ever.

2011- Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, heated Clásico’s, bad behaviour en breaking Barcelona’s domination

The decade began with another trophy, which was won by beating the eternal rival in the Copa del Rey, who many had labelled as being the best in history. Mestalla was the place where, in extra time, the Whites secured their eighteenth Copa trophy, exactly 18 years later. During the 2011-12 season, the football team, which has marked the best Group Phase in the entire history of the European Cup, has shot up to the highest place in la Liga, winning its thirty-second championship with two days playing to go. Mourinho's team won the Copa at Palau Sant Jordi de Barcelona 19 years later. The 2012-13 campaign begins as the last one ended; winning another title. The Whites were crowned champions of the Spanish Super Cup for the ninth time by defeating Barcelona in the second leg 2-1 to overhaul the 3-2 defeat at the Camp Nou. The 2012-13 campaign begins as the last one ended; winning another title. The Whites were crowned champions of the Spanish Super Cup for the ninth time by defeating Barcelona in the second leg 2-1 to overhaul the 3-2 defeat at the Camp Nou.

Fans & Players celebrate Cristiano's goal in the Copa del Rey final 2011

Eighteenth Copa del Rey of football

Real Madrid got its eighteenth Copa del Rey trophy after defeating Barcelona in Mestalla's packed stadium (1-0). Cristiano Ronaldo, after solid support from Di Maria, headed in the winning goal during the first part of extra time. Capitain Iker Casillas, excited about winning his first Copa, was in charge of taking the trophy from the hands of the King. After the game, the team flew to Spain's capital and, together with thousands of fans who had taken to the streets of Madrid with La Cibeles being the main meeting point, celebrated until the early hours of the morning, a trophy which they hadn't had for 18 years.

7th December 2011

After defeating Ajax in the Amsterdam Arena, Real Madrid marked the best Group Phase in the history of the European Cup. The Whites were victorious in the six games played, for the first time in their history of participating in the highest European competition and moreover, they achieved this with a difference in goals of +17 (19 goals scored and two let in). These 19 goals meant that the team coached by José Mourinho beat the best scoring record of any club (17 in 1998/99) in a European league group and the two goals let in was the same as the least number ever conceded by the team, i.e. in 2010/11.

Thirty-second Football League

The Whites were proclaimed champions of the League for the 32nd time in their history, after defeating Athletic de Bilbao with two days of the championship to go, which showed their superiority during the championship. Real Madrid finished with the trophy of a League which is what dreams are made of, beating the record number of goals and remaining in the finals of this sport in Spain. Mourinho's second trophy during the second season as the coach of Real Madrid.

- Santiago Bernabéu Stadium -

Full Name: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Opened: 14 December 1947

Renovated: 1982, 2001

Expanded: 1953, 1992, 1994, 2011

Capacity: 85,454

The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is an all-seater football stadium in Madrid, Spain. It was inaugurated on 14 December 1947 and is owned by Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. It has a current capacity of 85,454 spectators. El Bernabéu, renamed in honour of their former chairman Santiago Bernabéu Yeste, is one of the world's most famous and prestigious football venues. It has hosted the European Cup final on four occasions: in 1957, 1969, 1980, and the UEFA Champions League Final in 2010. The finals for the 1964 European Nations' Cup and the 1982 FIFA World Cup have also been held at the Bernabéu.

The Santiago Bernabéu is located on the Paseo de la Castellana, in the district of Chamartín. It occupies the block bounded by the Paseo de la Castellana and the streets of Concha Espina, Padre Damián, and Rafael Salgado.

On 22 June 1944, the Banco Mercantil e Industrial bank granted a credit to Santiago Bernabéu and Rafael Salgado for the purchase of the land adjacent to the old Estadio Chamartín. On 5 September 1944, architects Manuel Muñoz Monasterio and Luis Alemany Soler were hired and the structure on the site began to give way to the new stadium. On 27 October 1944, construction work on the stadium began. The Nuevo Estadio Chamartín (English: New Chamartín Stadium) was inaugurated on 14 December 1947 with a match between Real Madrid and the Portuguese side Os Belenenses, which resulted in a 3–1 victory for Los Blancos.[5] The stadium had an initial capacity of 75,145 spectators, 27,645 of which had seats (7,125 covered) and 47,500 for standing fans. Sabino Barinaga was the first player to score in the new stadium.

The first major renovation occurred in 1954. On 19 June of that year, the stadium expanded to accommodate 125,000 spectators. Thus, the Madrid coliseum became the biggest stadium of all the participants of the newly established European Cup. On 4 January 1955, after the General Assembly of Members Compromisaros, it was decided that the stadium adopt its present name in honour of club President Santiago Bernabéu. In May 1957, Real Madrid used electric stadium lighting in a game against Sport Recife of Brazil.

The next big changes did not occur until the early 1980s with the hosting of the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. The stadium had to adapt to the changing times and with this, architects Rafael Luis Alemany and Manuel Salinas were hired for the stadium's renovation project. The brothers were sons of Luis Alemany Alemany Soler, who carried out the original construction project next to Muñoz Monasterio. The work lasted 16 months and had a cost of 704 million pesetas, of which 530 million was paid by the City of Madrid. The improvements included a number of points. First, FIFA forced two-thirds of the seating area to be covered. For this reason, Real Madrid installed a roof covering the perimeter of the first and second tiers of seating, except the east side. The stadium's capacity was reduced from 120,000 to 90,800 spectators, 24,550 of which were covered by the new roof. The project also involved remodeling the façade, the installation of new electronic signs in the north and south ends, as well as the renovation of the press areas, lockers rooms, access, and ancillary areas. The stadium hosted four matches in the World Cup: three second-round Group Two matches (West Germany vs. England, West Germany vs. Spain, and Spain vs. England) and the final between Italy and West Germany.

In the mid-1980s, UEFA introduced new safety standards due to increased violence in the stadiums of Europe. The stadium was forced to create separate shortcuts to different stadium sections and seats for all spectators. In the 1990s, the Santiago Bernabéu went through a large expansion and remodeling. The board of Ramón Mendoza awarded the project to Gines Navarro Construcciones, S.A. The work started on 7 February 1992 and concluded on 7 May 1994 with a final cost of more than five billion pesetas, substantially raising the debt of the club, having no institutional support. The work concluded with the creation of an amphitheater on the west side and in the foundations, coupled with the existing building by using hydraulic jacks.

In total, 20,200 upgraded seats were installed, with each seat having a tilt of 87 degrees, ensuring a perfect view and proximity to the pitch. In addition, to access the new ring, four entrance towers were erected on the outside, each with two staircases and a central spiral ramp. With the new structure, the height of the stadium was increased from 22 m to 45 m. This caused problems during the winter, leaving two-thirds of the field of play in the shade. This lack of sunlight led to grass deterioration on the pitch. For this reason, a polypropylene pipe network was installed at a 20 cm depth under the pitch. At over 30 km long the pipe system circulates hot water, keeping the turf from freezing in cold temperatures.

Also, due to the height of the stand, it was necessary to improve and increase the lighting capability. A retractable protective roof was also installed to protect the fans from the elements. After the renovation, the stadium's capacity was 110,000 spectators. Already in the summer of 1998, and chaired by Lorenzo Sanz, the Santiago Bernabéu adopted an all-seating arrangement, bringing its capacity down to 75,328 spectators.

When Florentino Pérez became the president of Real Madrid, he launched a "master plan" with one goal: to improve the comfort of the Santiago Bernabéu and the quality of its facilities, and maximise revenue for the stadium. Pérez invested €127 million in five years (2001–2006) by adding an expansion to the east side of the stadium, as well adding a new façade on Father Damien street, new costumes, new boxes and VIP areas, a new stage in honour of the east side, a new press area (also located on the east side), a new audio system, new bars, integration of heating in the stands, panoramic lifts, new restaurants, escalators in the tower access, and implementation of the multipurpose building in Father Damien street. Following the enlargement of the lateral east side and the creation of new galleries, the capacity of the Santiago Bernabéu was 80,354, all seated. The last change was an increase of about five thousand to a capacity of 85,454, effected in 2012.

In 2007, the 1,000th game was played at the Santiago Bernabéu. In addition, the latest revision of UEFA on 27, on the occasion of Champions League match against Olympiacos, served as a final step to give the Santiago Bernabéu elite stadium status on 14 November 2007, a month before the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the inauguration of the stadium. UEFA announced that the club will officially rename the elite stadium.

Pérez proposed construction of a retractable roof before he resigned in 2005. In 2009, following the re-election of Pérez as the club president, it was announced that the roof construction was looking unlikely due to the financial situation of the club. According to Spanish sports newspaper Marca, however, Pérez wants to restructure Santiago Bernabéu. According to the newspaper, the architect in charge will be chosen from among a shortlist of Spanish architects Santiago Calatrava and Pritzker Prize-winner Rafael Moneo, and Chinese-American Ieoh Ming Pei, also a Pritzker winner.

- Ciudad Real Madrid -

The Ciudad Real Madrid (Real Madrid City) is the name given to Real Madrid's training facilities located outside Madrid in Valdebebas near Barajas airport. It replaces the old Ciudad Deportiva (Spanish: Sports City), which until 2003 was the training ground of the club.

The sale of Ciudad Deportiva, under the auspices of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, led to Real earning approximately € 480 million. The complex has been nicknamed, and is known to the players, trainers and club staff as ‘Valdebebas’ (val-de-bay-bahs), and is named after the district of the city where the complex is located. Inaugurated in 2005, the training center consists of academy offices, equipment rooms, audio-visuals rooms, a strength and rehab center, and medical (which consist of examination rooms, treatment rooms, additional rehab facilities and equipment, and an hydrotherapy center that includes hot and cool pools, a cold plunge, and a long but narrow resistance wave pool) and training facilities, as well as 13 and one third fields - three full size synthetic turf fields and two full size natural grass field for the youth, and for the first team, 5 and one third full size synthetic turf fields and two full size natural grass fields. Ciudad Real Madrid also include the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano where Real Madrid Castilla (Real Madrid reserve team) plays its home matches. In all, Ciudad Real Madrid covers 1.2 million square meters although only 21,578 m2 has been developed.

- Facilities in Football Manager 2013 –

- Crest and shirt –

The progression of Real Madrid's crest since the Club's formation in 1902.

The first crest had a simple design consisting of a decorative interlacing of the three initials of the club, "MCF" for Madrid Club de Fútbol, in dark blue on a white shirt. The first change in the crest occurred in 1908 when the letters adopted a more streamlined form and appeared inside a circle. The next change in the configuration of the crest did not occur until the presidency of Pedro Parages in 1920. At that time, King Alfonso XIII granted the club his royal patronage which came in the form of the title "Real Madrid", roughly translated as "Royal". Thus, Alfonso's crown was added to the crest and the club styled itself Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. With the dissolution of the monarchy in 1931, all the royal symbols (the crown on the crest and the title of Real) were eliminated. The crown was replaced by the dark mulberry band of the Region of Castile. In 1941, two years after the end of the Civil War, the crest's "Real Corona", or "Royal Crown", was restored while the mulberry stripe of Castile was retained as well. In addition, the whole crest was made full color, with gold being the most prominent, and the club was again called Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. The most recent modification to the crest occurred in 2001 when the club wanted to better situate itself for the 21st century and further standardize its crest. One of the modifications made was changing the mulberry stripe to a more bluish shade.

Real Madrid's first kit

Real Madrid's traditional home colours are all white, although before its foundation the first kit initially adopted a blue oblique stripe on the shirt (the design was kept in the club crest); but unlike today, dark blue socks were worn. In the same year, the blue socks were replaced by black ones. Real Madrid has maintained the white shirt for its home kit throughout the history of the club. There was however one season that the shirt and shorts were not both white. It was an initiative undertaken by Ecobal and Quesada in 1925, the two were traveling through England when they noticed the kit worn by London-based team Corinthian F.C., one of the most famous teams at the time known for its elegance and sportsmanship. It was decided that Real Madrid would wear black shorts in an attempt to look like the English team but the initiative lasted only one year. After being eliminated from the cup by Barcelona with a 1-5 defeat in Madrid and a 2-0 defeat in Catalonia, President Parages decided to return to an all-white kit claiming that the other brought bad luck. Years later, Leeds United switched their blue shirt for a white one after marveling at Real Madrid's 7-3 Victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in Glasgow's Hampden Park. By the early 1940s the manager changed the kit again by adding buttons to the shirt and the club's crest on the left breast (which have remained ever since). On 23 November 1947, in a game against Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium, Real Madrid became the first Spanish team to wear numbered shirts. Real's traditional away colours are all black or all purple. The club's kit is currently manufactured by Adidas whose contract extends from 1998. Real Madrid's first shirt sponsor, Zanussi, agreed for the 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85 seasons. Following that, the club was sponsored by Parmalat and Otaysa before a long-term deal was signed with Teka in 1992.In 2001, Real Madrid ended their contract with Teka and for one season used the Realmadrid.com logo to promote the club's website. Then, in 2002, a deal was signed with Siemens Mobile and in 2006, the BenQ Siemens logo appeared on the club's shirt. Real Madrid's current shirt sponsor is bwin.com following the economic problems of BenQ Siemens.

- Real Madrid's Honours and long list of records -

La Liga:

Winners (32): 1931–32, 1932–33, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1994–95, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12

Runners-up (20): 1929, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1941–42, 1944–45, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1965–66, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1998–99, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11

Copa del Rey:

Winners (18): 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1917, 1934, 1936, 1946, 1947, 1961–62, 1969–70, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1988–89, 1992–93, 2010–11

Runners-up (19): 1903, 1916, 1918, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1933, 1940, 1943, 1958, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1968, 1978–79, 1982–83, 1989–90, 1991–92, 2001–02, 2003–04

Supercopa de España:

Winners (9): 1988, 1989*, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2012

Runners-up (4): 1982, 1995, 2007, 2011

* Won Copa del Rey and La Liga

European Cup/UEFA Champions League: **

Winners (9): 1955–56*, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1965–66, 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02

Runners-up (3): 1961–62, 1963–64, 1980–81

* First ever winners

** Real Madrid is the only club to have a European Cup trophy on-site having won the title five years in a row.

UEFA Cup:

Winners (2): 1984–85, 1985–86

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup:

Runners-up (2): 1970–71, 1982–83

UEFA Super Cup:

Winners (1): 2002

Runners-up (2): 1998, 2000

FIFA Club World Cup:

Winners (3): 1960, 1998, 2002

Runners-up (2): 1966, 2000

Official All Time Goalscorers:

1 Raúl 1994–2010: 323

2 Alfredo Di Stéfano 1953–1964: 305

3 Carlos Santillana 1971–1988: 289

4 Ferenc Puskás 1958–1966: 242

5 Hugo Sánchez 1985–1992: 208

6 Francisco Gento 1952–1970: 179

- Cristiano Ronaldo 2009–present: 179

8 Pirri 1964–1979: 171

- Emilio Butragueño: 171

10 Amancio Amaro: 155

Official All Time Appearances:

1 Raúl 1994–2010: 741

2 Manuel Sanchís 1983–2001: 711

3 Iker Casillas 1999–present: 654

4 Carlos Santillana 1971–1988: 645

5 Fernando Hierro 1989–2003: 601

6 Francisco Gento 1953–1971: 599

7 José Camacho 1973–1989: 577

8 Pirri 1964–1979: 561

9 Míchel 1981–1996: 559

10 Guti 1995–2010: 542

Cristiano Ronaldo records:

Most goals scored in a single calendar year for club and country: 63 goals (2012) (fifth highest all-time record, behind Zico (71), Pelé (75), Gerd Müller (85) and Lionel Messi (91)

World

The most expensive footballer in history

Europe

The only player to have won the European Golden Shoe in two different leagues (English Premier League and Spanish La Liga)

First top European league player to reach 40 goals in a single season in two consecutive years

England

Highest strike rate recording in winning the Premier League Golden Boot (31 goals over 34 games)

Spain

The first player ever to score against every team in a single season in La Liga

The first player ever to score in six consecutive Clásicos

Portugal

Portugal all-time third most capped player with 100 appearances

Portugal all-time third top scorer with 37 goals

Portugal all-time top scorer in UEFA Euro matches (6 goals, held jointly with Nuno Gomes)

Portugal all-time fourth top scorer in FIFA World Cup matches (2 goals, held jointly with Maniche and Simão Sabrosa)

Real Madrid

Most goals scored in a season in all competitions for Real Madrid: 60 goals

Most goals scored in a single La Liga season for Real Madrid: 46 goals

Most goals scored in a single UEFA Champions League season for Real Madrid: 10 goals (held jointly with Raúl González)

Most hat-tricks in a single season for Real Madrid: 7 hat-tricks

Fastest Real Madrid player to reach one hundred league goals

The only player, amongst Real Madrid’s top league goal scorers, who averages more than a goal per match (1.09)

Real Madrid all-time top sixth scorer in all competitions with 179 goals

Real Madrid all-time top sixth scorer in La Liga with 133 goals

Real Madrid all-time top ninth scorer in Copa del Rey with 14 goals

[Real Madrid all-time top sixth scorer in Champions League with 29 goals

* Records As of 23 December 2012:

Highest transfer fees paid

1 Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United 80 (June 2009)

2 Kaká from AC Milan 56 (June 2009)

3 Zinedine Zidane from Juventus 45 (July 2001)

4 Luís Figo from FC Barcelona 37 (July 2000)

5 Karim Benzema from Olympiqe Lyon 30 (July 2009)

6 Xabi Alonso from Liverpool FC 30 (August 2009)

7 Luka Modrić from Tottenham Hotspur 30 (August 2012)

8 Ronaldo from Internazionale 28 (September 2002)

9 Fábio Coentrão from Benfica 27 (July 2011)

10 David Beckham from Manchester United 25 (July 2003)

*Transfer Fee in £ millions

Highest transfer fees received

1 Robinho to Manchester City 32.5 (September 2008)

2 Nicolas Anelka to Paris Saint-Germain 22 (July 2000)

3 Arjen Robben to Bayern Munich 22 (August 2009)

4 Michael Owen to Newcastle United 17 (September 2005)

5 Claude Makélélé to Chelsea 16 (September 2003)

6 Wesley Sneijder to Internazionale 14 (August 2009)

7 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to Milan 13 (August 2009)

8 Wálter Samuel to Internazionale 11 (August 2005)

*Transfer Fee in £ millions

El Clásico

Number of meetings

Total: 255

Official: 222

Most wins

Official: Real Madrid (89)

Total: Barcelona (104)

The conflict between Real Madrid and Barcelona has long surpassed the sporting dimension - so that elections to the clubs' presidencies are strongly politicized. As early as the 1930s, Barcelona had developed a reputation as a symbol of Catalan pride and identity, opposed to the centralising tendencies of Madrid. In 1936, when Francisco Franco started the golpe against the democratic Second Spanish Republic, the president of FC Barcelona, Josep Sunyol, member of the Republican Left of Catalonia and Deputy to The Cortes, was arrested and executed without trial by Franco's troops (Sunyol was exercising his political activities, visiting Republican troops north of Madrid).

FC Barcelona was on top of the list of organizations to be purged by the National faction, just after communists, anarchists, and independentists. During the Franco dictatorship, most citizens of Barcelona were in strong opposition to the fascist-like régime. Phil Ball, the author of Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football, calls El Clásico "a re-enactment of the Spanish Civil War." A similar analogy was made by American author Robert Coover, which described the 1977 match between the "archrivals" FC Barcelona and Real Club Deportivo Español as "more like a reenactment of the Spanish Civil War than a mere athletic event."

Though the first socialist party in Spain was founded in Madrid, almost all the ideas that have shaped the country's modern history –republicanism, federalism, anarchism, syndicalism and communism– have been introduced via the region of Catalonia, of which Barcelona is the capital. During the dictatorships of Miguel Primo de Rivera and of Francisco Franco, all regional languages and identities were frowned upon and restrained. In this period, FC Barcelona gained their motto més que un club (English: More than a club) because of its alleged connection to progressive beliefs and its representative role for Catalonia. During Franco's regime, however, the blaugrana team seemed to be granted profit due to its good relationship with the dictator at management level. The links between senior Real Madrid representatives and the Francoist regime were undeniable; for most of the Catalans, Real Madrid was regarded as "the establishment club", in spite of the fact that presidents of both clubs like Josep Sunyol and Rafael Sánchez Guerra, suffered at the hands of Franco's supporters in the Spanish Civil War.

The image for both clubs was further affected by the creation of Ultras groups, some of which became hooligans. In 1980, Ultras Sur was founded as a far-right-leaning Real Madrid ultras group, followed in 1981 by the foundation of the initially left-leaning, but currently far-right, FC Barcelona ultras group Boixos Nois. Both groups became known for their violent acts, and one of the most conflictive factions of FC Barcelona supporters, the Casuals, became a full-fledged criminal organisation. For many people, FC Barcelona is still considered as "the rebellious club", or the alternative pole to "Real Madrid's conservatism". Moreover, according to a Spanish poll released by CIS (Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas), Real Madrid's followers tend to adopt right-wing views, while Barcelona fans are politically closer associated with the left-wing.

Di Stéfano transfer

The rivalry was intensified during the 1950s when the clubs disputed the signing of Alfredo Di Stéfano. Di Stéfano had impressed both Barcelona and Real Madrid whilst playing for Club Deportivo Los Millonarios in Bogotá, Colombia, during a players' strike in his native Argentina. Both Madrid and Barcelona attempted to sign him and, due to confusion that emerged from Di Stéfano moving to Millonarios from River Plate following the strike, both clubs claimed to own his registration. After intervention from FIFA representative Muñoz Calero, it was decided that both Barcelona and Real Madrid had to share the player in alternate seasons. Barcelona's Franco-imposed president backed down after a few appearances, as Barcelona's side claimed, but Real say Barcelona's decision was voluntary and Di Stéfano moved definitively to Madrid.

Di Stéfano became integral in the subsequent success achieved by Madrid, scoring twice in his first game against Barcelona. With him, Madrid won the initial five European Champions Cup competitions. The 1960s saw the rivalry reach the European stage when they met twice at the European Cup, Real Madrid winning in 1960 and Barcelona winning in 1961.

Current issues

When Luís Figo' returned to the Barcelona field as a Real Madrid player, the Barcelona supporters' group Boixos Nois threw a pig's head at him.

During the last three decades, the rivalry has been augmented by the modern Spanish tradition of the Pasillo, where one team is given the guard of honor by the other team, once the latter clinches the La Liga trophy before El Clásico takes place. This has happened in three occasions. First, during El Clásico that took place on 30 April 1988, where Real Madrid won the championship on the previous round. Then, three years later, when Barcelona won the championship two rounds before El Clásico on 8 June 1991.nThe last pasillo, and most recent, took place on 7 May 2008, and this time Real Madrid had won the championship.

The two teams met again in the UEFA Champions League semi-final in 2002, with Real Madrid winning 2–0 in Barcelona and a 1–1 draw in Madrid. The match, dubbed by Spanish media as the "Match of the Century," was watched by more than 500 million people. In the Clásico held on November 2005, Barcelona played away in Madrid, winning 3–0. The star of the Barcelona team was Ronaldinho, who became the second Barcelona player after Diego Maradona to receive a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans.

The rivalry has been strengthened over time by the internal transfer of players between the clubs. Barcelona players who have later played for Real Madrid include Bernd Schuster, who switched in 1988; and Michael Laudrup, who went to Real Madrid on a free transfer in 1994. The most notorious, however, was former vice-captain Luís Figo's switch in 2000. Players transferring from Real Madrid to Barcelona are less frequent, the most recent being Luis Enrique, who went to Barcelona in 1996 where he went on to captain Barcelona, and also coached the reserve team in the 2008–09, 2009–10, and 2010–11 seasons.

A 2007 survey by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas determined that Real Madrid was the team with the largest following in Spain with 32% of the Spanish population supported Real Madrid, while 25% supported Barcelona. In third place came Valencia CF, who were supported by 5%. According to a poll performed by Ikerfel in 2011 and published in AS, Barcelona is the most popular team in Spain with 44% of preferences, while Real Madrid is in the second place with 37%. In the overall popularity, Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Betis and Valencia complete the top five. Barcelona seems to be more popular in Europe than Madrid. A survey made by the German research agency Sport+Markt in 2010 revealed that Barcelona has approximately 57.8 million fans around Europe, while Real Madrid has 31.3 million fans.

The rivalry intensified in 2011 where, due to the final of the Copa Del Rey and the meeting of the two in the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona and Real Madrid were scheduled to meet each other four times in 18 days. Several accusations of unsportsmanlike behaviour from both teams and a war of words erupted throughout the fixtures which included four red cards. Spain coach Vicente del Bosque stated that he was "concerned" that due to the rising hatred between the two clubs, that this could cause friction in the national side.

On 7 October 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player ever to score in six consecutive Clásicos. Ronaldo's run began on the 1st leg of the 2011-12 Copa del Rey and ended after having scored on the 7th round of the 2012-13 La Liga at Camp Nou.

Ronaldo silences the Camp Nou (FC Barcelona - Real Madrid 1-2 21 April 2012)

Real Madrid team 2012/2013

1 Iker Casillas •• 2 Raphaël Varane •• 3 Pepe 4 •• Sergio Ramos •• 5 Fábio Coentrão •• 6 Sami Khedira •• 7 Cristiano Ronaldo •• 8 Kaká

9 Karim Benzema •• 10 Mesut Özil •• 11 Ricardo Carvalho •• 12 Marcelo •• 13 Antonio Adán •• 14 Xabi Alonso •• 15 Michael Essien •• 17 Álvaro Arbeloa

18 Raúl Albiol •• 19 Luka Modrić •• 20 Gonzalo Higuaín •• 21 José María Callejón •• 22 Angel di María •• 25 Diego López •• 27 Nacho •• 29 Álvaro Morata •• 35 Jesús Fernández

Out on loan:

- Nuri Şahin (at Liverpool DB 13.0 - at Borussia Dortmund DB 13.1)

- Pedro León (at Getafe)

I will not give screenshots of all the other players in the Castilla, Real Madrid C.F.C. and -19 squad. Simply because there are too many players that are no good and not important enough to mention. Though there are some bright young talents who deserve to introduced:

• Jesé Rodríguez

• Denis Cheryshev

• Álex Fernández

• Raúl de Tomás

• Omar Mascarell

• José Rodríguez Martínez

• Borja

The issue with youth at Real Madrid

Juan Mata, Borja Valero, Alvaro Negredro, Javi Garcia, Dani Carjaval, Juafran and Roberto Soldado, all youth products from the Real Madrid youth academy. And now I am even not naming players like Jurado, Miguel Torres and Pablo Sarabia.

So what is the problem?

Well obviously Real has the facilities, knowledge and skill to let some good young prospects come to their youth ranks. The only real problem is patience and giving young talented players a chance with the first team like for example teams as Barcelona and Ajax. At Real Madrid unfortunately the philosophy has become to buy success instead of make success. If a youngster isn’t as good as Raúl or Iker Cassilias at age 18 he gets dropped into the Castilla team and at the age of 20 probably sold to another who is willing to give such a youngster a chance. Now of course with José Mourinho in charge at Real Madrid this will not change at all, as Mourinho is more a coach to get the best out of a group experienced players then a guy who gives youngster a chance to break into the first team squad.

The sad fate that happened to players like Mata and Negredo is still happening at current time. Bright young talents like Jese Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata have a big chance of being sold to another club within one of two years. This thing already happened with Dani Carjaval, one of Spanish most bright young backs who just didn’t got a chance with the first team of Real Madrid.

The only way that this woeful policy will end is that Real Madrid fans can only hope that someday there will become a president and manager again who will focus on youth and not buying big names.

Tactics and team overview

There a different ways to play with Real Madrid. You can use José Mourinho’s style with is based on control and counter with mostly the use of quick tempo and direct passing, but I would like to see Real Madrid play again like in the old days: attacking football which is build up from the back. And there no need to go as far in that style as Barcelona does, but to play based on your own strengths instead of lurking for the other team to make mistakes is to me one the vital focus points for a major major club like Real Madrid.

A few tactical formations you could consider:

The goalies

Iker Casillas:

The best goalkeeper in the world, at least that is how he is been cited by many, Iker Casillas is true hero among the Real Madrid fans, and even other football fans across the globe. Iker is a club icon and an example for all that Real Madrid has got to stand for: pride, honour and ambition. He is your number one goalkeeper without any possible doubt .. Yeah you heard me José

Antonio Adán:

Fine back-up, but no more than that. Can be sold if a good big comes in, but otherwise I would recommend holding on to him.

Diego López:

Brought in by Mourinho during the recent winter transfer window. He makes a pretty decent goalie, but is nowhere near being a top goalkeeper. Funny enough López did enrol out of Real’s youth academy some years ago so this makes him a youth product. With López, Adan and San Iker, I think you have a very good and stable set of goalies in your team.

The defenders

Sergio Ramos:

Ramos was bought by Real Madrid in 2005 after have a tremendous debut season at Sevilla. The then 19-year old cost Real over 27 million euros but immediately showed he was worth this kind of money. Over the years Ramos grew from right back to central defender, and is a regular player for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team. The last two years Ramos even managed to make more progress and is now considered to be one of the best defenders in the world.

Pepe:

With the name Pepe maybe players will get a bit scared . Pepe is known for his aggressive and sometimes even brutal and twisted defending. If he can’t get the ball instantly, he will go right through a player if it is needed. Next to these characteristics is a great defender, who is quick, strong and very good in marking and tackling. Due to his sometimes rogue behaviour, he will get a few red cards and many yellows during a season. Although Pepe makes a great defender, I would recommend on selling him if opportunity lurks. In the end, he will cost you more than he delivers

Raphaël Varane:

No one really knew this younger before last year, Real managed to sign him for a lousy 10 million euro from RC Lens after Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane had highly recommended Varane to Mourinho. At the time, Varane was still 17 years old. Varane made his competitive debut for Real Madrid on 21 September in the team's league match against Racing Santander. He started the match at centre back alongside Ricardo Carvalho as the match ended 0–0. Immediately Varane’s great potential was visible. But it wasn’t until recent that he really experienced his break through moment in the first team. In the first leg of the Spanish Copa he completely managed to control Lionel Messi, which is of course something most defenders cannot manage to do, in the last ten minutes of the match he scored the 1-1 from a corner. With only being 19, Varane has everything in his power to become one of the best defenders in the world, maybe even the best. He is tall, strong, quick and has a relaxed and friendly mentality on the pitch

Ricardo Carvalho:

Although Carvalho was at some point a great defender, he isn’t anymore. He is way to injury prone, and is just getting to old to compete at such a high level as Real Madrid is playing. If you can, sell him, or let him go on a free at the end of the first season. He will make a great tutor though for Varane.

Fábio Coentrão:

Good, but not great. I think this is an excellent way to describe Fábio Coentrão. As in real life is shown many times, when the big games come up, Coentrão never seems able to live up to the expectations for these matches. Having a crucial error costing Real to lose at Bayern Munich last year in the first leg of the semis, again emphasized this. Fábio will make a great player for a team that’s playing for European football, Arsenal, Valencia, something like that. But in my opinion he is just not good enough for a top team like Real Madrid. If a good bid comes in, sell him. Even though in Football Manager 13, Fábio is rated pretty good (a bit of the top if you ask me) I would still say there are better players out like, Baines and Alaba would be a great buy if you manage to sell Coentrão.

Marcelo:

Bought from Fluminense in 2006, Marcelo had some problems in the beginning with getting used to the high tempo football that’s been played in Europe. But being a hard worker he managed to grew as a player and is now considered to be one of the best left backs in football, maybe even the best. Sometimes still a reckless and uncouth, but he will definitely do the job for you. My advice is to hold on to him, Marcelo has really proven himself of the years, and is considered to be a true Madridista.

Raúl Albiol:

Usually transfer listed by Real Madrid in Football Manager 2013. Unjustified in my view, Albiol makes a great back-up, a highly professional player just like real life who is considered to be very consistent in his performances. You can keep this guy on the bench for the whole season and he will have no complains or whatsoever. The games he will play, he will fully deliver and do his job. That is a perfect back-up in my opinion.

Alváro Arbeloa:

Although Arbeloa is in real life a true poor defender, in Football Manager 2013 he actually makes a decent back that is able to play as well right as left. He is not top player, but a fine back-up when you have the opportunity to buy a new right back.

The midfielders

Michael Essien:

On a season loan from Chelsea and he is fine as a back-up for Khedira as the defensive midfielder. In real life Mourinho uses Essien often as a right back, but in FM I would not recommend you to do this. Essen makes a decent box-to-box or balwinning midfielder.

Xabi Alonso:

Xabi is de deep lying playmaker of the team who will also throw a tackle or two out his sleeves during a game. He isn’t very quick, but his passing abilities make more than enough up for this. Xabi will be without any doubt in your first eleven and when injured or not fit you can let Modrić replace him on the midfield.

Kaká:

Ricardo Kaká was in his time at Milan probably one of the best players in the world, maybe even the best for a while. After been transferred to Real Madrid Kaká got in a long period of injuries, injuries and even more injuries. Due to this persistent physical discomforts he never got back to his level where he was at Milan. Even though knowing this Kaká is still a great player who can serve your team brilliantly as back-up for Mesut Özil, although in real life Kaká gets played as a inside forward/winger by Mourinho, I would strongly recommend to use him only as a advanced playmaker on the AMC position. This way you will definitely get the best out of him. Just like real life is also in Football Manager 2013 Kaká very injury prone, playing ten or fifteen matches in a row is probably not doable for him. Like said, he still is a great player, but if a good offer comes in don’t hesitate on selling him as there are better, younger players out there to add to your team.

Luka Modrić:

Previous summer Modrić was bought by Real from Tottenham Hotspur after a very long transfer saga that seemed to never end. Real paid 30 million euro’s for Modrić which is of course no small price tag. The money that has been spend on him may be much, but seen his qualities he could definitely be worth it. Modrić natural position is a central midfielder, the role of deep lying playmaker is perfect for him. He will be your back-up for Xabi but could also be used as back-up for Mesut Özil as the AMC position also suites him very good. Modrić can be a great player for your team and I would recommend to keep hold on him.

Mesut Özil:

This is your midfield star, the best player on this area of the field and at Real Madrid Özil grew out to be one of the best playmaking midfielders in contemporary football. Özil experienced his breakthrough at the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, after this tournament it was obvious he would leave his club Werder Bremen to go and play at a higher level. Real Madrid and Barcelona where the most interested in signing him and after hesitation from former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola Real managed to secure themselves of his signature for 15 million euros. The purchase of Özil have been a great one for Real so far, in 138 matches he managed to score 22 times and gave 68 assists.

In Football Manager 2013 He isn’t a very hard worker with much determination, but technically he is just outstanding and one of a kind. His best position is the AMC where he will guide your team to success with one of his many assists.

José María Callejón:

A youth product that needed time to grow as a player. He found this in Barcelona, after playing three seasons in the Catalan capital he was brought back to the club he grew up as a kid. He isn’t that great of a player, but he will make a very decent back-up.

Ángel di María:

Ángel is a great winger, most of the people that watch Real Madrid will know him because of his unfairly traits on the pitch, always whining, diving and trying to make it all worse than it is. He is probably friends with Sergio Busquets en Pedro . Although his behaviour, Ángel is, like he in real life a amazing player who will get loads of assists for you forwards. I would recommend on not selling him as he can be a key player in your squad.

Attackers

Karim Benzema:

‘Benz’ was brought in during the summer transfer window of 2009. In the first season he didn’t do great but in the second season he started to gain his Lyon-form back. Last season he was an absolute key figure in José Mourinho’s side with having 32 goals and 15 assists in 52 games. Also in Football Manager 2013, Karim Benzema is world class striker. He’s only downside is his inconsistency which can be a reason to sell him and get in a more consistent, maybe Spanish striker.

Cristiano Ronaldo:

Hated by the whole world of football, being booed, shouted and insulted everywere he goes. But he doesn’t mind, he scores wherever he goes, and is probably together with Lionel Messi the best player in the world, and maybe even the best that has ever lived. Most people like to play down his real qualities by always comparing him to Messi, and overpraise the Argentinian while loathe Ronaldo. But this guy is the real deal, this guy scores, scores and scores and won’t stop doing that for a long time. Also in Football Manager 2013 Ronaldo is a top class player with great qualities. Maybe underrated even a little, in my own database I upgraded his work rate and composure a bit to make it in my opinion more realistic.

Ronaldo can be used as left winger, which is his known natural position, but he can also play as a striker or a right winger. Always hold on to this bloke, he is your main man, the guy that will win matches for you.

[video=youtube;vSL-gPMPVXI]

Álvaro Morata:

Will he make it, or not? A youth product that gets in the first team of Real. Wow, that’s something new. He was allowed to start in the Clásico of March this year (2-1) and managed to get one assist for Karim Benzema. Morata is a talent young striker who is also capable of playing on the wing. He is tall, strong but still a graceful player. In Football Manager 13 he has the potential to become a leading La Liga striker. And known the fact he is a true Madridista, I would give him playing time for sure.

Gonzalo Higuaín:

Cherished by most Real fans as if he was a product of the youth academy. Gonzalo was brought to Real at the age of 18, together with Gago they bought were transferred from River Plate to Real. And where Gago didn’t manage to make it at Real, Gonzalo did. He isn’t always playing because he has to compete with Benzema for a starting place, and who is the better one of both is also hard to say, but it is a known fact that also Gonzalo is striker of high class. He will score easily 30+ goals for you in one season. You can keep him, or sell him if you prefer Benzema over him, but either way, he will be very important for you team if you decide to hold on to him.

Reasons to start as Real Madrid:

- Gain back the reputation as being the best team in the world (currently Barcelona)

- Get a team cosists for the main part out of Spanish players

- Give youngsters a chance in the first team

- Beat Barcelona as much as possible

- Break record after record and try to do the impossible

A lot of information there, might have a go as Madrid at some point since I always have on previous games

Cool

Well, I'm done, added the last info, hope this will get some people to play as Real .

Well, this is an amazing thread. Your effort is incredible

I remember another Madrid thread did existed. kudos for the hardwork though.

Mass detail dude .

Also added it to the official links.

Amazing thread mate.

Going to start my Madrid save later, will flick between that and my Liverpool one, hopefully this thread will get more people in it soon

Took me forever to get through the pre-season with madrid. Anyway I'm using the 4-3-3 formation that I used with my first season at Liverpool and won the league and capital one cup in my first season (since I only just started the second one)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

A few things I'll be trying to do this season with Madrid;

Win the league, obviously

Win the champions league, doable

Promote a few young Spanish players into the first team; Morata, Jese, Raul Tomas, Jose Rodriguez

I didn't buy anyone since apart from rightback there isn't a need to at the start of the game, but I sold Kaka to Man City for £10m and Albiol to PSG for £7.5m

Started up a save a few days ago aswell.

Sold Kaka and RC and brought in Radja Nainggolan.

Playing a 4-2-3-1 Deep Counter set up with the way they play in real life in mind.

A good start so far. 3-0 against Valencia, 0-0 away to Barca, 3-0 away to Getafe and 4-0 at home to Barca to win the Super Cup.

That Barca result was really impressive as they only managed 1 shot all game which came in stoppage time.

Ronaldo just can't seem to take a penalty on this game. He's managed to score just one from four so far.

Ronaldo just can't seem to take a penalty on this game. He's managed to score just one from four so far.

Just played Cluj away in the CL. First pen straight at the keeper 2nd pen hit the post but knocked in the rebound!

Just played Cluj away in the CL. First pen straight at the keeper 2nd pen hit the post but knocked in the rebound!

Up to two from five now.

Not too bothered as it hasn't affected how we've been doing, but also slightly annoying in a sense though as he'd have 23 in 19 had he scored the three penalties he has failed with.

This is a great thread, a lot of detail! Maybe going to do a La Liga save soon but more than likely not with Madrid.

That Ronaldo bloke, he's just a monster...............

Any reason why Jese wont take up the opportunity of being tutored by Ronaldo ? even though CR is his idol ?

Great stuff there tomtuck01

Any reason why Jese wont take up the opportunity of being tutored by Ronaldo ? even though CR is his idol ?

Very different personality I think.

Not a bad season for the boy.

Ronaldo, like a boss

Ronaldo, like a boss

A total monster. Would have been more had he not missed a few games with injury.

Yeah, his injury proneness is set to high (same for Messi) ... but I am more amazed about Ronaldo's work rate, as he may not be the greates team player (4 is again totally overdone) but he gives more than most players seen work rate during matches but most of all trainings. Work rate 14 and teamwork 9 would be more suitable imo.

I wouldn't know about his injury proneness as I've never checked, but he wasn't remotely injury prone with me. One three week period was all he missed.

Finally! A Real Madrid Thread :)

I'm currently in my second season at the Jan transfer window...I'll post my details next time I manage to get on, I do know that I've never been beaten by Barcelona (which I'm very proud of!)

When discussing my new contract I managed to drop the "sign a high profile player" and replace it with "promote youth" and most of my close season signings were youth players for Castilla & my C team.

The board had dropped that without me asking when I signed my new contract.

The board had dropped that without me asking when I signed my new contract.

That's not bad then, who've you brought in?

My contract is due for renewal again as I tend to only have between 1 & 3 year contracts at a time and like to renew every other year. May see what other conditions they put in this time!

Anyone done anything with the backroom staff? I've just got my DOF to control all that and although I am constantly in the boardroom attempting to get better youth facilities (due to be finished mid Jan '14) & more feeder clubs!

That's not bad then, who've you brought in?

The only players of note have been Nicolas Otamendi (£13million from Porto), Rodrigo (£14.5million from Benfica), and Leo (£7million from Rayo Vallecano).

Aprt from that I've just brought young players into the squad. Mickey van der Hart, Kenny Tete, Elton Acolatse, and Queency Menig all came from Ajax and are the more notable players.

Pre-Season

I set out my stall early on how I want to play. Flat back 4, 2 CM, AML, AMC, AMR, ST playing a fast, attacking style of attractive football, but balancing attack for some good defence.1 CM will be AP and another will be DLP. Pre-season was rather successful, but I let my backroom staff sort out all the friendlies etc so I don’t really have much involvement.

Transfers

When looking at my squad I didn’t really trust Di Maria to be a constant performer and really saw him as a back-up option, so I made an attacking winger my main target, left sided or right as I’d simply play CR7 on the right if a better left sided player was available than right. I wasn’t holding out much hope as I was scouting a few players but none seemed to catch my eye, bear in mind I wasn’t trying to spend mega bucks on one single player due to other targets (more on that later on!) and as the season’s opening game drew closer and closer I’d all but given up hope, UNTIL!!! Something happened at Spurs, I’m not 100% sure what, but there was a major disagreement between several of the players over what I can only presume was a few new signings and for a combined 50 mil I managed to snap up the welsh wizard Gareth Bale, Lewis Holtby (was purchased as backup for Modric) and with an eye to the future Steven Caulker.

During my time looking for a new winger, I felt like I wanted some more strike power, due to my past dealings with both Benz & Higuaín they are both unreliable & injury prone to lead my team, so step up Mr Lewandowski (not 100% sure on how much he cost, will insert when I get back home).

With those 4 signings my war chest was pretty depleted, only for Jack Wilshire to be touted around by his agent (surely that can’t be allowed?!), but I thought, I’d quite like him for next season as he starts with an injury, so I put in a cheeky offer of approx. £8mil upfront + add on’s with a transfer date of end of Spanish season, and low and behold it’s only gone and been accepted! So that’s my first transfer for next season sorted.

January Transfer Window

I’m not 100% sure I did anything in the January transfer window, I’ll double check when I get back from work.

League

Real Madrid won the league fairly easily if I remember, I think I lost 4 and drew 2 all season, again, I’ll fill in more detail once I’ve got home.

Champions League

El Classico final, Madrid winner, what more can I say?

Other cups

I think I beat Athletic in the final, not 100% sure thought. I’ll look tonight.

Squad Performance

I shall fill this in tonight when I get a chance to look over everything

Youth Squad

I shall fill this in tonight when I get a chance to look over everything

Other News

I’ve managed to pester my way to getting 2 or possibly 3 more feeder clubs, increase the staff levels (which I’ve got my DOF to hire!) and make coaching budgets & youth recruitment as good as they possibly can be. I’ve also got my Youth Facilities to be made better and they will be finished mid Jan 2014.

Right, that’s about everything I can remember…Hopefully it’ll prove an interesting read once I’ve added a bit more meat to the bone. I’ll also do an update for the 2013/14 up to end of January transfer window.

I've been able to keep the league title out of the hands of Barca so far

League History

I particularly enjoyed this result. Especially the Messi red card

Real Madrid 7-0 Barcelona

7-0, nice one mate

I've posted this in the tactics section of the forum, some of you might find it interesting; Real Madrid C.F. - Moving On From Mourinho.

Nice tactical thread there

Nice tactical thread there

Thank again cedrik.

----------------------

Anyway, this is a lovely way to win the Copa Del Rey against Barca;

Also, delighted that my faith in Jesé paid off.

How's Jesé progressing for you? Not managed him on this FM yet but last year he turned out pretty good.

How's Jesé progressing for you? Not managed him on this FM yet but last year he turned out pretty good.

Posted a screenshot on Twitter just yesterday.

Yeah, his injury proneness is set to high (same for Messi) ... but I am more amazed about Ronaldo's work rate, as he may not be the greates team player (4 is again totally overdone) but he gives more than most players seen work rate during matches but most of all trainings. Work rate 14 and teamwork 9 would be more suitable imo.

Messi's injury proneness has been decreased alot, so no longer high.

Quite tempted by a Real save, but only to bring through the locals and younger ones, like giving Callejon a chance.

Messi's injury proneness has been decreased alot, so no longer high.

Quite tempted by a Real save, but only to bring through the locals and younger ones, like giving Callejon a chance.

Everyone should give Callejon a chance, he's very good. In two season for me he has done the following;

73 Appearances (54 Starts)

16 Goals

27 Assists

Has been more than useful at AMR-Support.

Great stuff, yeah he is in FM much better than IRL. Very usefull winger.

Callejon is certainly an underrated player, reminds me of a Jimmy Briand a couple of seasons ago on FM, a striker playing on the wing, get's his fare share.

Wow, an amazing OP.

I've just taken over Real Madrid after being offered the job following two seasons at Spurs. Was hard to resist such a massive club and over £100 million in transfer funds.

I was looking through the squad though and wondered if anyone had managed success reclaiming a little bit of Real's soul back. Your read the great history of this club and all the legends that have played, even more recently with players like Raul coming through the ranks and wonder if it's possible to do that in the face of the relentless drive for success.

I mean you only have to look at the Spain squad and in my game there are 10 Barca players in there and only 3 from Real, all of whom are getting on (Xabi, Cassilas, Ramos) It;s a shame that one of Spain's premier club has so few Spain internationals, so few youth players in it's ranks. Whilst it's nice to have endless millions and superstars like Ronaldo has anyone managed to continue the success but take Real away from being the 'Hollywood' club it's become back to it's routes?

Great OP!

Started as Real Madrid last night, and after making the decision to re-build Real Madrid got started on selling the players I didn't feel I wanted. So, out went Kaka, Coentrao, Benzema, Carvalho, Khedira, and Pepe, with Morata and Jese going out on loan. Then, with the money earnt from selling all those guys, went about rebuilding. I signed Neymar, Danilo, Sandro, Shaw, Otamendi, Meyer and Maupay. Unfortunately, I completely forgot about the EU national rules, and so have 5 non-EU players that I want in my squad, so Otamendi and Modric are having to miss out so that Danilo, Neymar and Sandro can be registered. Pretty stupid mistake really, as I could have bought Verratti instead of Sandro, and someone like Badstuber instead of Otamendi. Ah well, it'll just have to be fixed at the end of the season, not sure how, but I'll work it out.

This gives me a starting XI of:

------------------Casillas-------------------

--Danilo----Varane------Ramos---Marcelo-----

-------------Sandro------Alonso----------------

--Di Maria----------Ozil-------------Neymar----

-------------------Ronaldo----------------------

Looks pretty tasty that. Started the season with a 4-0 demolition of Valencia too, so we're looking good!

danm - Modric will become EU at end of season due to Croatia joining EU.

Perfect. Means I just need to find 1 space to get Otamendi in. Sure I'll figure it out, thanks for the tip!

---------------Casillas--------------

--Arbeloa--Varane--Ramos--Marcelo-

--J.Navas--Alonso--Khedira--Özil----

---------Benzema--Ronaldo---------

------------Diego Lopez------------

Dani Carvajal--Albiol--Pepe--Coentrao-

--Callejon--Modric--Essien--Di Maria--

---------Higuain--Morata/Jese------

Starting first season now, and wanted som activity in the thread

Get Higuain in the first team, he's an absolute beast for me at the minute playing as my lone advanced striker. Think he's averaging just under a goal a game. Also Ozil just won World Player of the Year (2015 I think) playing as my attacking mid (a) in my 4-2-3-1, never tried him on the wing though so could work for you

Wow, an amazing OP.

I've just taken over Real Madrid after being offered the job following two seasons at Spurs. Was hard to resist such a massive club and over £100 million in transfer funds.

I was looking through the squad though and wondered if anyone had managed success reclaiming a little bit of Real's soul back. Your read the great history of this club and all the legends that have played, even more recently with players like Raul coming through the ranks and wonder if it's possible to do that in the face of the relentless drive for success.

I mean you only have to look at the Spain squad and in my game there are 10 Barca players in there and only 3 from Real, all of whom are getting on (Xabi, Cassilas, Ramos) It;s a shame that one of Spain's premier club has so few Spain internationals, so few youth players in it's ranks. Whilst it's nice to have endless millions and superstars like Ronaldo has anyone managed to continue the success but take Real away from being the 'Hollywood' club it's become back to it's routes?

I've had good success with the players coming through the youth ranks, usually there will be at least a few great prospects coming into the youth team each year. I think the massive reputation of Real Madrid helps attract the best spanish youth talent. Most are locals as well, so I'm hoping to eventually have a first team composed mostly of Madridistas.

Just started a new game using Pr0 update so that means I don't have the following players in my team:

Ricardo Carvalho:

Michael Essien:

José María Callejón:

I have sold:

Raúl Albiol:

Kaká:

Gonzalo Higuaín

Denis Cheryshev

And brought in

Gareth Bale for £52million

Luis Suarez for £50million.